MEDIA REPORT PRESIDENT BUSH'S VISIT TO AFRICA;

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 HARARE 001372 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 KMDR ZI SUBJECT: MEDIA REPORT PRESIDENT BUSH'S VISIT TO AFRICA; HARARE ¶1. The June 29 edition of the government-controlled weekly "The Sunday Mail" devoted considerable space to articles talking about the forth-coming historic visit to Africa by United States President George W. Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powell's op-ed in the New York Times on Zimbabwe. Excerpts follow: ¶2. Under headline "Bush in no position to talk democracy, says top U. S. writer" the paper carried the following article (adapted from Michael Moore's latest book entitled `Stupid White Men') by Munyaradzi Huni, Political Editor, on page one: "United States President Mr. George W. Bush is a threat to American national security and a `Thief-in- Chief' who should not lecture the world about democracy and human rights, says a leading American writer, Mr. Michael Moore. He says there is nothing sadder than seeing other leaders of the world trying to `mimic the leaders of our country,' as their main preoccupation is to exploit the poor countries. On the other hand, political commentators and diplomats from Southern Africa have warned Mr. Bush that he will be met with a baptism of fire during his visit to Africa next week if he tries to lecture to `us things like democracy and human rights that he is wantonly violating in his country. . . .'" ¶3. Under headline "Two great liars of our time" the same paper carried another article (based in part on Moore's book) on page 9 by Munyaradzi Huni: "One of America's most respected writers, Michael Moore, in his latest book entitled `Stupid White Men" that is selling like hot cakes all over the world, describes U. S. President George W. Bush as `a drunk, a thief, a possible felon, an unconvicted deserter and a crybaby.' If Moore had gone a step further to tell the world that Mr. Bush is also a bully and an unrepentant liar, then he would have become the first person to give the correct description of the U. S. leader. But still his description ranks among the best so far. . .Mr. Bush and Mr. (Tony) Blair have manufactured lots of lies against Zimbabwe and it's now like an obsession as they dream about regime change in the country, but just like all lies, they will work only for a short time. . .Like typical bullies, Mr. Bush and Mr. Blair's lies are all about trying to promote and protect U. S. and UK interests at all costs and using whatever means necessary. No wonder why they ignored the U. N. as they invaded Iraq. . . ." ¶4. Under headline "an overwhelmed house Negro" the government-controlled weekly "The Sunday Mail' (06/29) carried the following propaganda articles under the scornful phantom chitchat column "Under the Surface": "An overwhelmed House Negro": "U. S. Secretary of State Colin Powell is really behaving like an over- fed House Negro as many have always thought he is. He is one hell of an unashamed sell-out - a true Uncle Tom who has been overwhelmed by events. Last week he decided to show his boss, George W. Bush, how good he is in following instructions, even stupid ones, when he wrote a shameful article in the New York Times attacking the Zimbabwean government. . . ." "The victory that never was": ". . .America and Britain thought Saddam (Hussein) was one big fool. . .But news from Iraq will tell you that Saddam is no fool at all. Like a true war strategist, Saddam retreated after realizing that America and Britain were coming with `weapons of mass destruction.' He let their soldiers take over Baghdad and, like true fools, Bush and Blair celebrated. To them the war was over. But not for Saddam. The war was just starting. Now American and British soldiers in Iraq are under siege. They are dying on a daily basis. We are not celebrating death here, but then Bush and Blair were celebrating as they massacred thousands of innocent Iraqis, including journalists they had accredited to cover the war as if it was some football match. . . ." "Winner of the Week: George W. Bush:" "U. S. President W. George W. Bush is really taking things too far. . .How can Bush try to preach democracy, human rights, good governance and the rule of law when we all know that he is the first culprit to break all these concepts? Just look at what he has done in Afghanistan and Iraq and just look at how bad his government is treating Arabs. Even for South African leader Nelson Mandela has had enough of Bush's nonsense and he has refused to meet the U. ¶S. leader on his first visit to Africa. The bully is getting thick-headed with every passing day, but the good thing is that the more his head gets bigger and thicker, the more enemies he is creating for himself and all American citizens. Who else would take Under the Surface's award this week?" SULLIVAN