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