MEDIA REPORT ZIM'S ELECTION TO COMMISSION ON

UNCLAS HARARE 001090 SIPDIS AF/PD FOR COX AND ROBERTSON, AF/S FOR KRAFT AND SCHLACHTER, AF/RA FOR DIPALMA, INR/R/MR, NSC FOR JENDAYI FRAZER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ZI PREL PHUM SUBJECT: MEDIA REPORT ZIM'S ELECTION TO COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS; HARARE ¶1. Under headline "Another victory over Britain," the government-controlled daily "The Herald" dedicated its May 2 editorial to hailing Zimbabwe's election to the Geneva-based Commission on Human Rights as "an intrepid demonstration of the international community's confidence in the country," adding that Zimbabwe's election was also a "victory over Britain and its allies who have ganged up to demonize" Mr. Mugabe's government. ¶2. "The election of Zimbabwe to the influential 15- member Geneva-based Commission on Human Rights is an intrepid demonstration of the international community's confidence in the country and its role in international affairs. We applaud the latest victory over Britain and its allies who have ganged up to demonize the government and President Mugabe. The election is recognition of Zimbabwe's respect for human rights and democracy. It has also over-ridden the erroneous impression of a pariah state that has been portrayed by the Western media and some governments. . . The latest British defeat means that alleged human rights abuses in Zimbabwe will not be used as a weapon to tarnish the image of the country. . . Zimbabwe now needs to use its position on the 15-member commission to be the voice of the voiceless that have endured untold suffering at the hands of the same forces that seek to entrench their dominance on the earth. We hope that sense will finally prevail and those tormenting Zimbabwe will realize that their sinister actions have been exposed. The only way for them to save face would be to join the other nations in rallying behind Zimbabwe's efforts to redistribute land." SULLIVAN