Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08STOCKHOLM640
2008-09-23 08:59:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Stockholm
Cable title:  

Media Reaction - South Africa, Mbeki Resignation

Tags:  OPRC KMDR KPAO PINS PHUM PREF EUN SW 
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DE RUEHSM #0640 2670859
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 230859Z SEP 08
FM AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3755
UNCLAS STOCKHOLM 000640

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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 - South Africa, Mbeki Resignation


I. On September 23, the conservative Stockholm morning daily
"Svenska Dagbladet" ran a signed editorial by editorial writer Claes
Arvidssonaa titled "It May Become Much Worse with Jacob Zuma:"

"There is no reason to regret the fall of President Thabo Mbeki. As
Vice President to Nelson Mandela and as President for almost two
terms of office his best-before date had expired. His legacy
includes a wise economic policy but also a disastrous view on
HIV/AIDS, an unwillingness to tackle domestic criminality and
impassivity vis-`-vis characters like Robert Mugabe.

"Jacob Zuma is a more leftist ANC Veteran than Mbeki and has a
curter image, which bodes no good for South Africa....

"Nelson Mandela was a symbol of the dream of a new South Africa -
Thabo Mbeki for what it became. Jacob Zuma may be the man who will
make the dream die down."

II. On September 23, the independent, liberal Stockholm morning
daily "Dagens Nyheter" ran a signed editorial by foreign affairs
commentator Per Ahlin, who warned of the ANC's dominance in South
Africa.

"Thabo Mbeki was forced to leave. Opposition within the ruling ANC
party was too strong. His days were numbered...and he did not manage
to fend off the new party leader Jacob Zuma....

"The ANC's political dominance is total. South Africa is on its way
to becoming a one-party state. It is true that this is the result of
democratic elections, but nevertheless....

"Now, when Mbeki has been forced to leave, some people believe that
the party may once again be united, and that the struggle, which has
been personified by Mbeki and Zuma, now will become history. Others
warn of an approaching political unrest in the country that may even
result in a divided ANC....

"Perhaps what we can see now is a real and permanent rift and
perhaps one party will be divided in two. If so, this may be a good
thing. It is not healthy in any country that one party has such a
dominating role like the ANC, particularly in a young democracy like
South Africa."
SILVERMAN