MEDIA REACTION LAND REFORM IN ZIMBABWE -

UNCLAS HARARE 002701 SIPDIS AF/PD FOR COX, ROBERTSON, AF/S FOR KRAFT, AF/P, INR/R/MR, NSC FOR JENDAYI FRAZER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ZI PREL PHUM SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION LAND REFORM IN ZIMBABWE - ABUJA ACCORD; HARARE ¶1. THE INDEPENDENT WEEKLY "THE FINANCIAL GAZETTE" DEDICATED ITS SEPTEMBER 13 EDITORIAL TO THE ABUJA LAND ACCORD BROKERED BY NIGERIA. UNDER HEADLINE "BEYOND ABUJA," THE PAPER COMMENTS: ¶2. ". . .IN SIGNING UP TO ABUJA, MUGABE MAY INDEED SEE THE PACT AS GIVING HIM BREATHING SPACE IN THE FACE OF IMMINENT AMERICAN AND EUROPEAN SANCTIONS AGAINST HIM AND HIS TOP ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS. BUT THE REALITY ON THE GROUND - IN TERMS OF TIMING - IS THAT THE PRESIDENT HAS BEEN TRAPPED BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO FINALLY SHOW HIS TRUE COLORS BY FULLY DELIVERING ON THE LAST-DITCH ACCORD. . . UNTIL HE MOVES ON THESE CRITICAL ISSUES, FUNDING WILL CLEARLY REMAIN ELUSIVE - JUST AS BEFORE ABUJA. . . SOMEHOW HE MUST WALK A TIGHT ROPE AND JUST HOPE AND PRAY NOT TO STUMBLE AND FALL BY THE WAYSIDE. WHILE WE TAKE NOTE OF HIS RARE COURAGE TO TRY TO REVERSE ZIMBABWE'S DESCENT INTO ANARCHY. . .HE MUST NOW RAPIDLY TRANSLATE THE AGREEMENT INTO VISIBLE ACTION. . . IT WOULD BE A GOOD GESTURE IF THE PRESIDENT TOOK DECISIVE ACTION IMMEDIATELY SO THAT, BY THE TIME HE ATTENDS THE COMMONWEALTH SUMMIT IN AUSTRALIA NEXT MONTH, HE AND ZIMBABWE WOULD BE BREATHING EASIER AGAIN." ROTH UNCLASSIFIED >