United Nations (New York)
24 June 2008
document
New York — The full text of presidential statement S/PRST/2008/23 reads as follows:
“The Security Council condemns the campaign of violence against the political opposition ahead of the second round of the Presidential elections scheduled for 27 June, which has resulted in the killing of scores of opposition activists and other Zimbabweans and the beating and displacement of thousands of people, including many women and children.
“The Security Council further condemns the actions of the Government of Zimbabwe that have denied its political opponents the right to campaign freely, and calls upon the Government of Zimbabwe to stop the violence, to cease political intimidation, to end the restrictions on the right of assembly and to release the political leaders who have been detained. The Council urges the international monitors and observers to remain in Zimbabwe while the crisis continues.
“The Security Council regrets that the campaign of violence and the restrictions on the political opposition have made it impossible for a free and fair election to take place on 27 June. The Council further considers that, to be legitimate, any government of Zimbabwe must take account of the interests of all its citizens. The Council notes that the results of the 29 March 2008 elections must be respected.
“The Security Council expresses its concern over the impact of the situation in Zimbabwe on the wider region. The Council welcomes the recent international efforts, including those of SADC leaders and particularly President Mbeki. The Security Council calls on the Zimbabwean authorities to cooperate fully with all efforts, including through the UN, aimed at finding a peaceful way forward, through dialogue between the parties, that allows a legitimate government to be formed that reflects the will of the Zimbabwean people.
"The Security Council further expresses its concern at the grave humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe and condemns the suspension by the Government of Zimbabwe of the operations of humanitarian organizations, which has directly affected one and a half million people, including half a million children. The Council calls on the Government of Zimbabwe to immediately allow humanitarian organizations to resume their services.
"The Security Council will continue to monitor closely the situation and requests the Secretary-General to report on ongoing regional and international efforts to resolve the crisis.”
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Just means there will be more people for Mugabe supporters to blame for the crisis in Zimbabwe. How long before they look in the mirror I wonder.
With all that violence going on there Zimbabwe should just declare Martial Law as they would do in the West and other countries around the world. That way a couple of years down the road they could hold elections in a more peaceful environment. And perhaps ZANU-PF will have developed another candidate to replace Mr. Mugabe who is already 84 years old and certainly doesn't need all the hassle of trying to run a country.
This document is a start but it is very late. Interesting. Think it's a hassle for your Mugabe to destroy millions of innocent Zimbabweans lives? Is it a hassle that at least 3,500 Zim's with AIDS die weekly in Zimbabwe? Mothers and grandmothers watching babies born to waste away from malnutrion and starvation? Zim "youth and war vets" raping, pillaging, torturing and killing. Wow. What a hassle it must be for them. Funny. I don't think it would hassle any of us to have Mugabe tried for crimes against humanity and executed. In fact...it would be a pleasure. I think they have other sites for Zanu supporters to comment on. Try The Herald.
I really don't get South Africa's earlier position in that case...Saying that " The challenges facing Zimbabwe must be solved by the people of Zimbabwe themselves, not by any intervention from the UN..." Does that so called president still sounds sane to them??? But the only thing that is REAllY important here is the safety of the people...People should think about that first before any political strategy... Anyways, let's hope that cannibal will agree to postpone the friday's election, or even better recognize the march election outcome! I do agree in part that solution has to come from within the country or the neighboring southern countries and I also agree on an international ruling on Mugabe and an execution "a la" Sadam Hussein!
Unaniamous! This UN Security Council has been issued with the consent and support of South Africa, Russia and China. This being the case; how do the Mugabe apologists out there dismiss all and any criticism of the murderous Mugabe regime as Western propaganda?