International records / Foreign Relations of the United States

145. Memorandum of Conversation

create or administer a UN peace-keeping force. He asked whether the Commonwealth might not be a more promising alternative. Owen replied that the Commonwealth might be inclined to play a role were the atmosphere in Rhodesia reasonably peaceful. The Nigerians would be crucial in this decision, he added. Schaufele stated that the white community would surely want something like Canadian participation which would only be possible in peaceful circumstances. Owen said that because of the Soviet presence in the United Nations the Commonwealth option remains a serious one. The Foreign Secretary said …