MEDIA REPORT ZIM TURNS 22; HARARE

UNCLAS HARARE 000966 SIPDIS AF/PD FOR COX AND ROBERTSON, AF/S FOR KRAFT AND SCHLACHTER, AF/RA, INR/R/MR, NSC FOR JENDAYI FRAZER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ZI PREL PHUM SUBJECT: MEDIA REPORT ZIM TURNS 22; HARARE ¶1. Under headline "Forget about Mugabe's peace," the independent weekly "The Standard" dedicated its April 21 editorial to criticizing Robert Mugabe's for preaching but not practicing. Excerpts: ¶2. "Robert Mugabe's hypocrisy continues to be exposed every time he addresses the nation. Despite the fact that Zimbabweans and the world are well aware of his brutal dictatorial tendencies, Mugabe nevertheless vainly tries to portray himself as a unifying dove of peace. His address at Thursday's Independence Day celebrations exposed this double standard. Well aware of the political turmoil besetting Zimbabwe, Mugabe delivered a speech laden with the gospel of peace and political tolerance. . . Unfortunately it comes too late. Over 120 opposition supporters have been killed by his followers since the referendum. His tone in recent years has been one of hate, bitterness and division. In fact he has successfully divided this nation in order to rule it. . . Mugabe's legacy of hate and division hangs over the country like a dark cloud." WHITEHEAD