The World - News from Aug. 19, 1987
Zimbabwean Prime Minister Robert Mugabe’s government, fulfilling a promise to its supporters, introduced legislation to scrap the parliamentary seats reserved for whites when the country became independent in 1980. A constitutional amendment abolishing the whites’ separate voting roll and their 20 seats in the 100-member lower house received its first reading in the country’s British-style Parliament. The bill needs the backing of 70 members to become law. Former Prime Minister Ian Smith, leader of the nation when it was known as Rhodesia, has criticized the move.
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