INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPERS CRITICIZE INACTION IN

UNCLAS HARARE 002157 SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/PD, AF/S, AF/RA NSC FOR JENDAYI FRAZER LONDON FOR GURNEY PARIS FOR NEARY NAIROBI FOR PFLAUMER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM KPAO KMDR ZI SUBJECT: INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPERS CRITICIZE INACTION IN ABUJA ¶1. Under title "The dialogue of the deaf" the independent weekly "The Financial Gazette' (09/26) comments: "South African President Thabo Mbeki and his Nigerian counterpart Olusegun Obasanjo have predictably decided to postpone taking the tough decisions that had been expected from them on Zimbabwe, underlining once more that they value the bonds of African brotherhood above all else. In doing so, the two leaders have inevitably placed themselves in direct conflict with Zimbabwe's democratic forces and all who seek a negotiated solution to a low-level conflict which increasingly threatens southern Africa's peace and stability. . . When the present story of Zimbabwe is finally written in years to come, Mbeki and Obasanjo will stand out as the two leaders who, at a critical time, thwarted the people's interests by siding with those in power. . . They and all others who genuinely wish Zimbabwe well should know better by now: Harare never cares or listens to diplomacy and it will not suddenly do so now or after the March deadline. These two leaders must take full responsibility for whatever happens next in Zimbabwe's descent into chaos. Their determination to secure short-term political interests while postponing the inevitable, however painful, could yet prove too costly for them and their colleagues." ¶2. Under title "Abuja let-off could unleash more violence" the independent daily "The Daily News" (09/26) comments: ". . .If Thabo Mbeki and Olusegun Obasanjo expect President Mugabe to be magnanimous in his victory in Abuja, then they are woefully ill- informed about his party's dossier of violence. In rejoicing at their victory, many of his ZANU PF supporters may unleash a new wave of violence against the opposition - just for the hell of it. The failure to intensify sanctions against Zimbabwe. . .could return to haunt the Commonwealth, but particularly Mbeki and Obasanjo. . . But the will of the people of Zimbabwe will not be denied expression for long. It would be preferable if, in the end, it was done peacefully. What Mbeki and Obasanjo are doing is to offer them a frightening option." SULLIVAN