Cablegate: Media Reaction Zim Crisis; Harare

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

UNCLAS HARARE 001292

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/PDPA FOR DALTON, MITCHELL AND SIMS
NSC FOR JENDAYI FRAZER
LONDON FOR JENDAYI FRAZER
PARIS FOR NEARY
NAIROBI FOR PFLAUMER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KPAO KMDR ZI
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION ZIM CRISIS; HARARE

1. Under headline "Pretoria becomes chief stumbling
block", the independent daily "The Daily News" dedicated
its June 24 editorial to encouraging South African
President Thabo Mbeki to stop obstructing international
efforts meant to resolve the deepening political and
socioeconomic crisis in Zimbabwe. Excerpts:

2. "After years of refusing to act on Zimbabwe's
deepening political and economic crisis, the South African
government is increasingly showing where its loyalties lie:
with the Harare government. At almost every international
forum where the crisis is debated and solutions to it are
sought, it is none other than Pretoria which always comes
forward to blunt international pressure for the tough
action to be taken against a rogue government that has
rightly become a pariah in the world. . .While we accept
that it is South Africa's right to chart a foreign policy
of its choice, it is unacceptable that Pretoria should, on
one hand, refuse to act against naked and widening
injustices while, on the other hand, it also undermines
every effort by others who want to end the madness. . .If
Mbeki wants to be taken seriously by anyone on NEPAD, he
must begin to show resolute and impartial action in
resolving a long-festering problem right on his doorstep,
or simply let those who have the wherewithal to get on top
of an intolerable situation that is worsening by the hour.
. .Mbeki must decide. . .whether he is for or against the
struggle for democracy by the people of Zimbabwe. In any
struggle against tyranny and dictatorship, there should
never be fence-sitters, and Mbeki would do well to decide
where he
belongs. . . ."

SULLIVAN

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