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Former Rhodesian leader Ian Smith dies
Ian Smith, who defied the world in 1965 when he led 270,000 white Rhodesians in a unilateral declaration of independence from Britain rather than accept moves to black-majority rule, has died in South Africa aged 88. State-owned radio ZBC, reporting his death, said "Smith will be remembered for his racism and for the deaths of many Zimbabweans."
And for governing the Breadbasket of Africa.
And for giving up power rather than being carried out feet-first ...
Smith became prime minister of white-ruled Rhodesia in 1964 and remained in office until a guerrilla war forced him to accept a ceasefire and political settlement in 1979. Elections were held the following year, when Rhodesia became the black-ruled republic of Zimbabwe, with Robert Mugabe as prime minister.

Born in the small Southern Rhodesian mining town of Selukwe on April 8, 1919, the son of a farmer, Ian Douglas Smith was educated locally and at Rhodes University in Grahamstown, South Africa, where he obtained a bachelor of commerce degree. "Good Old Smithy" to his white followers -- stayed on in the black-ruled republic of Zimbabwe after independence in 1980, keeping a critical eye on those who had defeated him, and vehemently opposing Mugabe's plans for a one-party state.
Posted by: Fred 2007-11-21
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=208465