Mugabe does not care about doings of white world

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

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs

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)