Mutasa said life was normal in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front Secretary for Administration Didymus Mutasa said eight years ago everything was normal in Zimbabwe and anybody who thought otherwise should have his head examined.

Mutasa was commenting on reports that Zimbabweans living in the United States had applied for temporary protection status which would grant illegal immigrants immunity from deportation until Zimbabwe’s political and economic crisis had been resolved.

According to a cable released by Wikileaks Mutasa said Zimbabweans abroad were out to spread lies about the conditions at home.

“They are a crazy gang on a mission to spread falsehoods about their mother country. Everything is normal in Zimbabwe, and anyone who thinks otherwise should have his head examined. They should not use silly excuses to stay in the U. S,” he said.

Full cable:

Viewing cable 03HARARE1839, MEDIA REPORT ZIMABWEANS SEEK ASYLUM IN THE U. S.;

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

150519Z Sep 03

UNCLAS HARARE 001839

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 REPORT ZIMABWEANS SEEK ASYLUM IN THE U. S.;

HARARE

¶1.   The lead article in the September 8 edition of the

independent daily “The Daily News” concentrates on

an application for “Temporary Protection Status” by

Zimbabweans living in the United States. Under

headline “Zimbabweans seek U. S. shelter,” Farai

Mutsaka, Chief Reporter, quotes extensively from a

letter written by U. S. Senator Raphael Feigngold to

the State Department endorsing the request by the

Association of Zimbabweans Based Abroad (AZBA).

Excerpts of the article follow:

¶2.   “The United States’ State Department is considering an

application by Zimbabweans living in the U. S. for

Temporary Protection Status, which would grant illegal

immigrants immunity from deportation until Zimbabwe’s

political and economic crisis is resolved, the `Daily News’

has established. The AZBA, which was formed last month,

wrote to the U. S. State Department in August, indicating

that it had become unsafe for Zimbabweans living abroad to

return home. U. S. Senator Raphael Feingold has also

written to the U. S. State Department endorsing AZBA’s

request. . .Movement for Democratic (MDC) shadow minister

for foreign affairs Moses Mzila-Ndlovu said the

Zimbabweans’ appeal was justified. “These people are

directly contributing to the economy because of the foreign

currency that they send home. It would be unreasonable for

the U. S. Government to repatriate them back home to face

the kind of poverty we are facing right now. It is

imperative that the U. S. Government grants Zimbabwe such

status.’ But ZANU PF secretary for external affairs

Didymus Mutasa said Zimbabweans abroad were out to spread

lies about the conditions at home. He said: `They are a

crazy gang on a mission to spread falsehoods about their

mother country. Everything is normal in Zimbabwe, and

anyone who thinks otherwise should have his head examined.

They should not use silly excuses to stay in the U. S.'”

SULLIVAN

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