Cablegate: Independent Paper Praises Sadc Move to Sideline

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS HARARE 002241

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/PD, AF/S, AF/RA
NSC FOR JENDAYI FRAZER
LONDON FOR GURNEY
PARIS FOR NEARY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM KPAO KMDR ZI
SUBJECT: INDEPENDENT PAPER PRAISES SADC MOVE TO SIDELINE
MUGABE

1. Under headline "SADC commended for seeing light at
last" the independent daily "The Daily News" dedicated its
October 8 editorial to welcoming the decision by the
Southern African Development Community (SADC) to block
Robert Mugabe from SADC chairmanship. Excerpts:

2. ". . .The bigger political picture, ignoring the
arguments about whether Zimbabwe withdrew its claim
to the deputy chairmanship voluntarily, or was
kicked out on its ear, is that SADC has at last seen
the light. Most people in Zimbabwe had given up on
SADC as an effective and active player in the
democratization stakes in the region. . . This
latest decision by the group, whatever Mugabe's spin
doctors say of its origins, is to be commended.
SADC has at last seen the light."

SULLIVAN

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