Mbeki urged to put pressure on Mugabe like Vorster did to Smith

A daily newspaper urged United States President George Bush to put pressure on South African President Thabo Mbeki to force Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe to negotiate with the Movement for Democratic Change to end the country’s political and economic crisis.

In an editorial during Bush’s African tour, the Daily News, said there was no reason why Bush should fail because former United States Secretary of State Henry Kissinger had succeeded in put pressure on South African President John Vorster to turn the screws on Rhodesian Prime Minister Ian Smith to negotiate with the African nationalist leaders to end white minority rule.

“. . .The economic aid and development support that Bush is dangling before the continent pales into insignificance when compared with the damage caused to Africa’s weak economies by the United States’ protectionist trade policies.

“But we totally agree with Bush on one count, and that is that regional powerhouse South Africa must abandon its ineffective policy of so-called ‘quiet diplomacy’ and lead the way in pressuring President Robert Mugabe and his ruling ZANU PF party to abandon ruinous policies that have brought this once prosperous country to its knees.

“Bush must not be swayed or blackmailed by the usual cheap accusations of racism or arrogant imperialism by South African President Thabo Mbeki and others. . .who. . .are only interested in buying more time for Mugabe and his administration……..

“Bush must tell Mbeki what all of us have tried to tell the South African leader but in vain. That is that Mbeki should vigorously lead the Southern African Development Community and the rest of the international community in demanding that Mugabe step down to pave the way for a transitional government that will be tasked with organizing fresh and truly democratic elections in Zimbabwe.”

Full cable:

Viewing cable 03HARARE1389, MEDIA REACTION PRESIDENT BUSH’S VISIT TO AFRICA;

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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS HARARE 001389

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/PDPA FOR DALTON, MITCHELL AND SIMS

NSC FOR JENDAYI FRAZER

LONDON FOR GURNEY

PARIS FOR NEARY

NAIROBI FOR PFLAUMER

E.O. 12958: N/A

TAGS: PREL KPAO KMDR ZI

SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION PRESIDENT BUSH’S VISIT TO AFRICA;

HARARE

¶1.   Under headline “Bush must demand that Mbeki act on

Zimbabwe” the independent daily “The Daily News”

dedicated its July 9 editorial to calling on

President George W. Bush “to use his immense

influence to pressure” South African President Thabo

Mbeki to stand up for democracy and good governance

by acting on Zimbabwe. Excerpts:

¶2.   “. . .The economic aid and development support that

Bush is dangling before the continent pales into

insignificance when compared with the damage caused

to Africa’s weak economies by the United States’

protectionist trade policies. But we totally agree

with Bush on one count, and that is that regional

powerhouse South Africa must abandon its ineffective

policy of so-called `quiet diplomacy’ and lead the

way in pressuring President Robert Mugabe and his

ruling ZANU PF party to abandon ruinous policies

that have brought this once prosperous country to

its knees. Bush must not be swayed or blackmailed

by the usual cheap accusations of racism or arrogant

imperialism by South African President Thabo Mbeki

and others. . .who. . .are only interested in buying

more time for Mugabe and his administration. The U.

¶S. leader must take comfort in the knowledge that

the majority of ordinary Zimbabweans. . .support his

call that Zimbabwe return to democracy. We urge

Bush to use his immense influence to pressure Mbeki

to stop covering up for Mugabe. Bush must tell

Mbeki what all of us have tried to tell the South

African leader but in vain. That is that Mbeki

should vigorously lead the Southern African

Development Community and the rest of the

international community in demanding that Mugabe

step down to pave the way for a transitional

government that will be tasked with organizing fresh

and truly democratic elections in Zimbabwe. Bush

has already started his African safari on a high

note by forcing Charles Taylor to leave power and

give Liberia a chance to start all over again. We

see absolutely no reason why he should fail to

emulate Henry Kissinger’s diplomatic triumph in

Pretoria in 1976, when he got John Vorster. . .to

turn the screws on Ian Smith. . .until the white

supremacist agreed to black majority rule. . . .”

SULLIVAN

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