A United Kingdom Page #7

# Sometimes I'm blue

# My disposition... #

- Mr Nash...

- Thank you for coming.

The story on the mining companies.

I thought you'd like to know.

We need a bit more information,

but I'll say we'll be running with this

in about a week.

(DOOR OPENS)

What?

Nash... he's doing a story.

(SIGHS DEEPLY)

It's not confirmed, it's too soon, but...

...there has been a find.

Diamonds?

Yes.

Just three diamonds, but...

But yes.

It's a beginning.

It could mean everything.

The British don't know about the find yet.

If I can get ahead...

...I know, I know I can get this right.

The prime minister told this country

that he would allow

the King of Bangwato to return home.

After the election,

he banished him for life.

For good.

Having deprived

the Bangwato people of their king,

can his Commonwealth

under-secretary, at the very least,

assure us that the Bangwato people

will still have a say

in the running of their own affairs?

With particular reference to the use

of their land for mineral exploitation?

(UNDER-SECRETARY)

Let me make it clear that the dispute

is not between us and the Bangwato,

it is between the chief and his uncle.

We have a responsibility

to keep this warring family apart.

(MURMURING IN ASSENT)

With respect

to the Right Honourable Gentleman,

his answer had nothing to do

with the question I just asked.

Mr Chairman, the Honourable Gentleman

seems to be hounding me for an answer

- that I'm quite prepared to give.

- CHAIRMAN :
Yes? Go on.

Let me make an assurance

that no leases will be given

to any mining companies,

without the consent

of the Bangwato themselves.

(MURMURING IN ASSENT)

(BIRDS SQUAWKING)

BENN :
The report.

How did you get it?

Let's say not everyone is proud of what

their government does on their behalf.

Harragin concludes

that you are a fit and proper person

to succeed to the kingdom.

And that you, Ruth,

are acceptable to the Bangwato people.

But that neither of you

are acceptable to South Africa.

It's your proof.

SERETSE :
Because my exile

is now permanent,

I need to put our family affairs in order.

As a consequence, I would like

to arrange a meeting with my uncle

in Bechuanaland,

and so I'm requesting permission

to travel.

Well, Mr Khama,

I have looked at your request.

And as a gesture of goodwill,

and to ensure that all can see

the sincerity of our efforts

to keep peace within your tribe...

I will allow it.

But only for a period of one week.

By which point we expect you

to have dealt with whatever...

...family concerns

you may need to address.

Thank you.

How kind of you, Mr Roberts.

I hope you know how appreciative we are.

(CAR DOOR CLOSES)

(SERETSE SPEAKS SETSWANA)

We have a very difficult negotiation.

Yes, Uncle.

(SPEAKS SETSWANA)

(SPEAKS SETSWANA)

This is Jacqueline.

She is a sweet one.

I was going to put her down, but I...

I think she'd rather be

in another mother's arms.

Yes, she's a sweet one.

I have read your letter.

And what are your thoughts, Uncle?

If we can agree now

to let go of our claims to the kingship,

we will be equal private citizens.

Then my marriage can be of no concern

to South Africa, Great Britain or anyone.

Any disagreement between you and me

becomes a domestic squabble,

not an affair of state.

Then I will be allowed to return home.

And we can start to rebuild.

(TSHEKEDI SIGHS)

You're speaking of dismantling hundreds

and hundreds of years of tradition.

Uncle... you should read this.

You, me, our people...

...we have been pawns

in somebody else's game.

They are coming.

You may have convinced me, Seretse...

...but now you're going

to have to convince the people.

CANNING :
I believe

that two days ago, Mr Khama,

you had a meeting with your uncle,

authorised by Mr Roberts

in the Commonwealth Office.

Mr Roberts will not be available

in the future to make such decisions.

I also know you want to discuss

the outcome of that meeting with me

for relay to the British Government.

Before you begin, let me be clear.

There can and will be no circumstance

in which we will allow you

to return to Bechuanaland permanently.

No... circumstance?

Not even a hand-delivered copy

of the Harragin report to the press?

"Government lies to British public

for fear of South Africa in Khama affair."

There would be conditions.

I would have to discuss them

with the government.

You should know this, Mr Khama...

I would personally demand that you

give up all claim to the chieftainship,

and that your uncle do the same.

Sir Alistair,

I don't have to do anything anymore.

But... I will agree to that.

And... upon condition that

we continue direct rule from London.

I will agree to this, also.

Up to the point

where we will hold democratic elections,

and declare our independence.

Yes, well, an election process

is hardly on the agenda.

I suspect your government

may take a slightly more

respectful position moving forward.

You will be aware of the recent

discovery of diamonds on our lands?

Yes, well...

Any resources Bechuanaland may have are...

...hardly relevant

to this issue, Mr Khama.

I hope you caught the news that

your Commonwealth under-secretary

confirmed to Parliament that my people

control all mineral resources

in Bechuanaland.

You need my husband, Sir Alistair.

May I offer you a sherry?

(CHEERING)

(LAUGHS)

(HORN HONKS)

(SERETSE CHUCKLES)

(CHEERING)

(SPEAKS SETSWANA)

My uncle and I

are now at peace.

The exile is over!

(CHEERING)

I have a new vision for our nation.

We are a people of tradition,

and rightly so.

(MURMURING IN ASSENT)

But we need a change in Africa.

We need a change in Bechuanaland,

whether we like it or not.

Whether the colonial powers that be

like it or not.

It is time for us to take a step

beyond royal succession,

and into a democratic Bechuanaland.

(CHEERING)

To create a new nation,

not to be ruled by royalty here,

or royalty in great Britain,

but a country to be led

by those who you choose.

No man is free...

...who is not master of himself.

(CHEERING)

Brother and sisters,

it is time for democracy,

for independence,

for us to be the masters of our own fate.

A new Bechuanaland.

A new Africa.

It is time!

(CHEERING)

Pula, pula, pula, pula...

Ruth!

(CHEERING)

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