 The Rhodesian press reported extensively on the Lisbon controversy during the second half of August , generally predicting that neither Britain , Portugal nor Rhodesia would back down . While most reporters believed that Whitehall would take a strong line , few could see any way it could actually stop Reedman from taking office . On 20 August , Bottomley spoke at his final conference in Lagos , and repeated all he had previously said regarding Britain 's stance on Rhodesia . Back in London three days later , he reaffirmed his previous stance regarding Lisbon , saying that he would be pleased to have a Rhodesian on the staff of the British Embassy there , but would allow no more . In the same interview , he expressed the belief that Wilson had averted a Rhodesian UDI in October the previous year by warning Salisbury of the economic consequences . Speaking in Gwelo on 27 August , Smith derided this statement , calling it " incredible " . His administration had not even considered a declaration of independence then , he said , but it was contemplated now , and he believed Anglo @-@ Rhodesian relations were at their all @-@ time lowest ebb . He urged Britain to return to the bargaining table quickly . 
