24 July 1986
Zambian President, Kenneth Kaunda publicly rebuked Britain's foreign secretary, Geoffrey Howe, accusing him and President Reagan of supporting South Africa’s apartheid government. The attack by Kaunda on Howe and Reagan came at the height of popular unrest across South Africa. Kaunda’s anger was prompted by Reagan’s rejection of stronger United States (US) economic sanctions. Kaunda said; “As a fellow human being, Sir Geoffrey, I must welcome you. But as a messenger of what you have come to do in South Africa, you are not welcome at all." Howe denied the accusation, saying he was trying to end apartheid peacefully rather than through violence.
He went on lashing out at Reagan and British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, accusing them of conspiring to defend white supremacy in South Africa by resisting international pressure for sanctions.
References
Los Angels Times, (1986), ‘Zambia Lectures Briton on Apartheid’, 25 July, [online], available at www.latimes.com [Accessed: 07 June 2012]|Boddy-Evans A. ‘This Day in African History: 24 July’, from About African History. Com, [online], available at www.africanhistory.about.com [Accessed: 07 June 2012]