Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08STOCKHOLM475
2008-06-30 10:34:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Stockholm
Cable title:  

Media Reaction - Mugabe and Zimbabwe

Tags:  OPRC KMDR KPAO PINS PHUM PREF EUN SW 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0003
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSM #0475 1821034
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 301034Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3573
UNCLAS STOCKHOLM 000475

SIPDIS

SECSTATE FOR INR/R/MR, EUR/PPD, EUR/NB, EUR/PA, EUR/FO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO PINS PHUM PREF EUN SW
SUBJECT: Media Reaction - Mugabe and Zimbabwe

On June 30 the independent liberal Stockholm morning daily "Dagens
Nyheter" editorialized on "Mugabe in the Center of Africa":

"The Zimbabwe Presidential elections are over. Now the leadership of
the African Union will be put to test....

"It is now all about democracy and human rights for the Zimbabwe
people. And about the international standing of the African leaders
-- on how the African Union wants to be regarded....

"Robert Mugabe does not care about the doings of the white world,
whether or not it will recognize him as President of Zimbabwe. And
he has little concern for what the black one thinks, despite the
fact that he is dependent on it....

"The colonial heritage makes it very difficult for the white world
to take action. Mugabe is not the first African leader to be quick
to wave the racist card the very second that the UN, the EU or some
primarily 'white organization' draws attention to mistreatment of
the population. Therefore, it is primarily the African leaders in
the African Union and the other African co-operation organizations
that have to 'take on the work.'

"And the white world could stop supporting Mugabe....To withdraw
foreign assistance would hit hard the population but will be
necessary. When Mugabe no longer has enough funds to pay his
supporters, they likely will turn their back to him."
WOOD