President Robert Mugabe did not care whether the white world was going to recognise him as the President of Zimbabwe, a Swedish daily Dagens Nyheter said after Mugabe had won the uncontested presidential elections run-off and was quickly sworn in so that he could attend the African Union summit in Egypt.
“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 paper said.
“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.’ “
Full cable:
Viewing cable 08STOCKHOLM475, Media Reaction – Mugabe and Zimbabwe
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|
Reference ID |
Created |
Classification |
Origin |
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
(13 VIEWS)
