14 OCTOBER 1978, Page 17

Sir: The British Foreign Secretary, Dr David Owen, is naive

if he believes that his all-party conference on Rhodesia will bring Peace to that strife-torn land. Attempts at reconciliation of the Patriotic Front leaders and the politicians in the interim government will simply not work. Guns and votes, like oil and water, do not mix. The guerrilla leaders are out to destroy the moderates, not share power with them. Why can't Dr Owen see this? How many more innocent lives must be lost before the British and American governments StOp trying to reconcile the irreconcilable? Michael Byrne 117 Ecroyd Park, Credenhill, Herefordshire