Inside Report (7)

July 9, 1982

Zimbabwe has taken a small step toward cutting its heavy economic dependence on neighboring South Africa.

An oil pipeline - on the blink since 1965 - linking Zimbabwe with the Mozambique port of Beira has reopened. This means Zimbabwe can stop relying on fuel shipments through South Africa, which are touchy for economic and political reasons.

But the reliability of the pipeline remains a question. Guerrillas - allegedly supported by South Africa - fighting the Mozambique government have bombed the pipeline in the past.