Media Reaction - Mugabe and Zimbabwe

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