TANZANIA MEDIA REACTION: "ANTI-CORRUPTION CRUSADE IS

UNCLAS DAR ES SALAAM 000392 FOR INR/MR, AF/PDPA AND AF/E JLIDDLE SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KMDR OPRC KPAO TZ SUBJECT: TANZANIA MEDIA REACTION: "ANTI-CORRUPTION CRUSADE IS NOBLE" Sensitive But Unclassified ¶1. (U) The June 10 edition of the English-language, privately-owned, daily newspaper "The Guardian" (circulation 25,000 copies) carried the following front page, below-the-fold editorial commentary "Anti-corruption crusade is noble": President Jakaya Kikwete assumed office in late 2005 having sworn to make the war on corruption in the country in general and the party in particular one of his priorities. He has kept his word with a high level of commitment and achieved some very positive results. One of the measures he instituted within his own party, CCM, was to involve the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau in ensuring that there were no shady dealings during elections. This greatly minimized the number of cases of leaders getting elected through corruption. The president has maintained the oversight in all the ruling party's elections and those of its wings - the women, youth and parents. He has frequently reminded CCM members and the nation that leaders elected through corruption will always seek to devise mechanisms through which to recover the money they spent to win votes. They will thus not serve the people as well as they ought to. The president has rightly noted on various occasions that corruption is like cancer and saps the energies the people need to wage a winning war against poverty, disease and other ills. People have come to accept as given that they must pay again to get services they deserve as taxpayers, and that their votes can be bought by the highest bidder seeking a leadership position instead of being used to elect a leader who is able and willing to serve them effectively. These are just a few of the many consequences of corruption which, if unchecked, stand to destroy the peace, stability and harmony that many of us have come to take for granted. It will doubtless take time to weed out corrupt elements but we have no option but to continue fighting, however tough or bruising the war. It will call for lots of courage and readiness by the relevant authorities to take action wherever and whenever corruption rears its ugly head. Fortunately, President Kikwete has proved that he is serious about courageously tackling the vice within CCM and elsewhere. The latest evidence of this unwavering stand was his public scolding of those engaging in corrupt activities to reap votes for their favorite candidates at the recent CCM Parents Organization electoral meeting in Dodoma. The president did not mince his words in castigating those elements he said tarnished the party's image by engaging in corruption, a clear message to the doubters that he remains as constant as the proverbial Northern Star in fighting the vice. We have no doubt whatsoever that every well-meaning Tanzanian has by now understood the president's message, which is that this is a war we must wage for our own deliverance from elements inimical to development. The record speaks for itself that he has kept his promise and that the struggle continues. But this is not the President's war alone; it is a Tanzanians' war. It is thus upon the entire nation to actively support the crusade so that, at the end of it all, we beat those intent on pulling us down and swim on into greater prosperity in an atmosphere of peace and harmony. ¶2. (SBU) Comment: The Guardian is the largest English language daily newspaper and part of IPP Media, owned by Tanzanian media mogul Reginald Mengi. Mengi has drawn both criticism and praise for publicly naming "five [Tanzanian] sharks of corruption" in an April 23rd press conference that received considerable coverage, beyond IPP Media's own radio, television and print units. In a May 28 conversation with PAO, Mengi said he would do everything within his power to support President Kikwete's campaign against corruption. End Comment. Mushingi