Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09DARESSALAAM392
2009-06-16 13:07:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Cable title:
TANZANIA MEDIA REACTION: "ANTI-CORRUPTION CRUSADE IS
how-toVZCZCXYZ0001 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHDR #0392 1671307 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 161307Z JUN 09 ZDK FM AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM TO SECSTATE WASHDC 8610
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
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
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