24 June 2008
In its first statement publicly condemning the conduct of Zimbabwe's presidential election, the United Nations Security Council has placed the blame for violence, intimidation and the denial of free campaigning squarely on the Zimbabwean government.
South Africa and China were among the countries which agreed to a unanimous statement, announced in the early hours of Tuesday, Zimbabwean time, by this month's president of the council, Zalmay Khalilzad of the United States.
The statement said, in part, that "the Security Council... 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."
Earlier the UN's Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, B. Lynn Pascoe, reported to the council that there was a "staggering degree of violence" in Zimbabwe. According to a council press release, he said there was ample evidence it had been perpetrated by "a combination of State agencies, war veterans and youth militias." Although there had been retaliatory violence by the MDC, it was "of a much lesser degree."
In its statement, the council said the campaign of violence against, and restrictions on, the political opposition have made it impossible for this Friday's presidential run-off election to be free and fair.
In a phrase which augurs badly for any hope President Robert Mugabe may have of winning foreign support if he claims a mandate on the basis of the run-off, the council said it "further considers that, to be legitimate, any government of Zimbabwe must take account of the interests of all its citizens."
However, the council recognised the legitimacy of the March 29 elections, in which the opposition Movement for Democratic Change won control of Parliament, and in which the MDC's Morgan Tsvangirai drew more votes than Mugabe.
It also condemned the Zimbabwean government's suspension of the operations of humanitarian organisations, which it said had directly affected 1.5 million people, including half a million children.
It called for a reversal of the decision, and for the government to cooperate with efforts "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 BBC reports that the Security Council's statement had been watered down from a version proposed by the British government. The Associated Press said the United States, France and other Western governments failed to include language saying Tsvangirai should be regarded as the legitimate president of Zimbabwe.
READ the full text of the Security Council statement
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Time for silent diplomacy is now clearly over. I hope this indicates a sentiment of mercy from the South African government towards the people of Zimbabwe that to some extent equals the great respect they have showed towards the Mugabe regime. We are now dealing with an illegitimate government that sabotaged the democratic process of it's country to hold onto power. There cannot be reconciliation without truth and there cannot be truth while perpetrators of crimes against humanity is policing the streets of Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe needs Robert Mugabe to step down or it needs an international peace… [Read Full Text]
Too many South African political bigwigs have their fingers in the pie in zimbabwe making oodles of money to want the gravy train to hit the buffers..so it serves their interest to "negotiate" a deal which leaves mugabe in power..that way their vested interests are protected! Once the ARV's stop working poor old Bobojan will drop dead and then what??? Not long now!
Truth is served only if supported by force applied to restrain evil when needed.
UNO should be reorganized. The world body should have power to expel member nations if they violate human rights,or do crimes such as indulging in terrorist actvities, drug trade etc. An international military alliance under UN command should apply force to remove the self claimed appointees of "GOD". Such maniac dictators and thugs should not be allowed to thrive under the name of soverginity of nations. Sovergininty is for nation ;not for dictators and terrorists. UNO… [Read Full Text]
Where do you live? l do not think you are in Great Zimbabwe or do have relations/family in there. Death is not a thing for one's family. I am not a coward but l want to live. l note that people who want WAR always make sure they a couple thousands miles away from the fighting. FORCE, BY-FORCE, PRESSURE, APPLY PRESSURE.... words you are fond of. Those who attacked Saddam did not stop when Saddam and his sons died. They slaughtered children (living and unborn), women and animals (domestic and otherwise. l do not wish that sort of thing on… [Read Full Text]
Shame Mugabe killed 20,000 of his own people then isnt it. And didnt hesitate to murder more and more to keep power this time round. He's a genocidal maniac. But then akafunboy, what would you know, you think world war 1 and 2 only involved England and Germany. Imbecile!
PS - I made a list of countries who participated in the second world war, just to educate you. Please study up, I plan to test you. Andorra Argentina Armenia Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahrain Belgium Bolivia Brazil Bulgaria Canada Ceylon Chile China Colombia Costa Rica Cuba Czechoslovakia Denmark Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Estonia Ethiopia Fiji Finland France Germany Georgia Gibraltar Greece Guatemala Haiti Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Italy Japan Korea Laos Latvia Lebanon Liberia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Malaya Malta Manchukuo Mexico Monaco Mongolia Morocco Nauru Nepal Netherlands Netherlands East Indies Newfoundland New… [Read Full Text]
THE TIME FOR WORDS ARE PASS. FOR AFRICA AND AFRICANS KILL THE ONE AND SAVE THE MILLIONS. EVIL MUST BE CRUSHED BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY. WHERE EVIL STRIVES THE DEEDS OF GOOD MEN ARE TRAMPLED UPON.
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This looks like the beginning of sanity, at least the international community has started to realise the badness in this wayward regime, which many Zimbabweans have been aware of for so long. How do you explain millions of Zimbabweans doing menial jobs in diaspora? It is quite important to facilitate and ensure that Zimbabweans everywhere are for the 1st time able to choose their own leaders freely, without fear of being killed for their choice.