Mugabe’s hypocrisy

President Robert Mugabe had displayed a lot of hypocrisy as the country celebrated its 22dn anniversary as he was portraying himself as a unifying dove of peace when over recent years his tone had been one of hate, bitterness and division.

The Standard said Mugabe had delivered a speech laden with the gospel of peace and political tolerance at the country’s independence celebrations yet he was quite aware of the political turmoil in the country.

“Over 120 opposition supporters have been killed by his followers since the referendum. His tone in recent years has been one of hate, bitterness and division. In fact he has successfully divided this nation in order to rule it,“ the paper said.

Full cable:

Viewing cable 02HARARE966, MEDIA REPORT ZIM TURNS 22; HARARE

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

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

UNCLAS HARARE 000966

SIPDIS

AF/PD FOR COX AND ROBERTSON, AF/S FOR KRAFT AND

SCHLACHTER, AF/RA, INR/R/MR, NSC FOR JENDAYI FRAZER

E.O. 12958: N/A

TAGS: ZI PREL PHUM

SUBJECT: MEDIA REPORT ZIM TURNS 22; HARARE

¶1.   Under headline “Forget about Mugabe’s peace,” the

independent weekly “The Standard” dedicated its

April 21 editorial to criticizing Robert Mugabe’s

for preaching but not practicing. Excerpts:

¶2.   “Robert Mugabe’s hypocrisy continues to be

exposed

every time he addresses the nation. Despite the

fact that Zimbabweans and the world are well aware

of his brutal dictatorial tendencies, Mugabe

nevertheless vainly tries to portray himself as a

unifying dove of peace. His address at Thursday’s

Independence Day celebrations exposed this double

standard. Well aware of the political turmoil

besetting Zimbabwe, Mugabe delivered a speech laden

with the gospel of peace and political tolerance. .

. Unfortunately it comes too late. Over 120

opposition supporters have been killed by his

followers since the referendum. His tone in recent

years has been one of hate, bitterness and

division. In fact he has successfully divided this

nation in order to rule it. . . Mugabe’s legacy of

hate and division hangs over the country like a

dark cloud.”

WHITEHEAD

(39 VIEWS)