Cablegate: Independent Newspaper Criticizes Govrnment For

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

UNCLAS HARARE 002034

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/PD, AF/S, AF/RA
NSC FOR JENDAYI FRAZER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KPAO ZI
SUBJECT: INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER CRITICIZES GOVRNMENT FOR
BLOCKING OPPOSITION'S FOOD RELIEF EFFORT

1. Opposition MDC party efforts, thus far in vain, to
bring donated food into Zimbabwe have begun to generate
media attention. The independent "Daily News" dedicated
its September 5 editorial to the issue. Under the title
"Let food roll in without the import papers" the editorial
says in part:

2. "Zimbabwe is facing its severest crisis in living
memory. Millions are violently exposed to hunger
and famine, political uncertainty, economic ruin and
total insecurity. . . The crisis is so overwhelming
the government no longer has the capacity to contain
it. The latest seizure of grain, sourced by the
opposition MDC party to lessen the impact of the
catastrophe, is a criminal act, considering the
severity of poverty on the ground. To insist on a
permit for an essential commodity, meant as a free
handout to save a life, shows unimaginable
callousness. Today's hand-to-mouth situation is an
unsustainable recipe for political unrest. . . Any
concerned person wishing to help Zimbabwe must turn
up at any border post with whatever quantity of
maize they can obtain. Let (Agriculture Minister)
Made impound it, if he thinks it's the best way to
fend off the threat of death from starvation."

SULLIVAN

© Scoop Media