 The same day , Bottomley wrote to Smith , saying that he and Wilson were disheartened by the lack of progress regarding both independence and the Lisbon appointment . He was willing to visit Rhodesia personally , but could not come until October because he had to be in Blackpool to attend the Labour Party Conference , due to commence on 26 September . The next morning , on 8 September , Johnston told Smith that if Reedman proceeded to Portugal in open disregard for Britain 's wishes , it would negatively affect future independence negotiations . Rhodesia 's delay in justifying the appointment was also having a detrimental affect , Johnston asserted . Finally , he threatened to evict the Rhodesian envoys from Washington , Bonn and Tokyo if Rhodesia did not desist . Smith was yet again unmoved . Any procrastination regarding Lisbon was Britain 's fault , he insisted . He told Johnston to wait for the afternoon session in Rhodesia 's Legislative Assembly to hear Dupont 's official announcement of Reedman 's appointment , as well as the full Rhodesian explanation behind it . 
