MEDIA REPORT ZIMABWEANS SEEK ASYLUM IN THE U. S.;

UNCLAS HARARE 001839 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 ZIMABWEANS SEEK ASYLUM IN THE U. S.; HARARE ¶1. The lead article in the September 8 edition of the independent daily "The Daily News" concentrates on an application for "Temporary Protection Status" by Zimbabweans living in the United States. Under headline "Zimbabweans seek U. S. shelter," Farai Mutsaka, Chief Reporter, quotes extensively from a letter written by U. S. Senator Raphael Feigngold to the State Department endorsing the request by the Association of Zimbabweans Based Abroad (AZBA). Excerpts of the article follow: ¶2. "The United States' State Department is considering an application by Zimbabweans living in the U. S. for Temporary Protection Status, which would grant illegal immigrants immunity from deportation until Zimbabwe's political and economic crisis is resolved, the `Daily News' has established. The AZBA, which was formed last month, wrote to the U. S. State Department in August, indicating that it had become unsafe for Zimbabweans living abroad to return home. U. S. Senator Raphael Feingold has also written to the U. S. State Department endorsing AZBA's request. . .Movement for Democratic (MDC) shadow minister for foreign affairs Moses Mzila-Ndlovu said the Zimbabweans' appeal was justified. "These people are directly contributing to the economy because of the foreign currency that they send home. It would be unreasonable for the U. S. Government to repatriate them back home to face the kind of poverty we are facing right now. It is imperative that the U. S. Government grants Zimbabwe such status.' But ZANU PF secretary for external affairs Didymus Mutasa said Zimbabweans abroad were out to spread lies about the conditions at home. He said: `They are a crazy gang on a mission to spread falsehoods about their mother country. Everything is normal in Zimbabwe, and anyone who thinks otherwise should have his head examined. They should not use silly excuses to stay in the U. S.'" SULLIVAN