STATE-CONTROLLED PAPER HAILS JOURNALIST'S

UNCLAS HARARE 001034

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/PDPA FOR DALTON, MITCHELL AND SIMS
NSC FOR JENDAYI FRAZER
LONDON FOR GURNEY
PARIS FOR NEARY
NAIROBI FOR PFLAUMER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KPAO ZI
SUBJECT: STATE-CONTROLLED PAPER HAILS JOURNALIST'S
EXPULSION



1. Under headline "Meldrum's expulsion was long
overdue" the editorial in the May 28 edition of the
government-controlled daily "The Herald" said: "After
painting the situation in Zimbabwe in dark colors and
generally portraying the country as a lawless community
on the very brink of collapse, American-born journalist
and suspected intelligence officer, Andrew Meldrum, has
finally been deported. We feel that the expulsion of
Meldrum, who in addition to reproducing false and
damaging stories about Zimbabwe, compiled damning,
often fabricated reports on the country, was long
overdue. Zimbabwe has the right, without undue
external influence or coercion, to decide who lives or
works within its borders."


2. Comment: The Herald's editorial, nearly 2 weeks
after Meldrum's expulsion, indicates some degree of
official tetchiness about the continuing international
coverage and condemnation of the event. It is worth
noting that the Herald editorial makes no mention of
most damaging fact about the expulsion - that is was
carried out in direct defiance of orders from the High
Court of Zimbabwe.

SULLIVAN