Reagan Rejects Zambian Invitation to Meet With Leaders of Black Africa
President Reagan has rejected an invitation from Zambian President Kenneth D. Kaunda to meet in Africa with the leaders of black-ruled countries near white-ruled South Africa, a White House spokesman said Saturday.
Deputy Press Secretary Albert R. Brashear said Reagan has schedule problems and “just didn’t have the time” for such a trip.
Brashear said Administration officials hope something can be set up for Secretary of State George P. Shultz, who is tentatively scheduled to travel next month to South Africa, as well as the nearby nations of Zambia and Botswana.
Administration officials had reacted coolly to the invitation to Reagan when it was announced in late August by the leaders of the six black “front-line” states--Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Kaunda said at the time that the discussions should focus on South Africa’s policy of apartheid, or separation of the races, as well as the Reagan Administration’s opposition to further sanctions against South Africa.
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