Statement of Senator Obama on the Crisis in Zimbabwe

[Hope And Change]

Statement of Senator Obama on the Crisis in Zimbabwe


by Christopher HassTuesday, June 24, 2008 at 08:16 PM

In response to the ongoing political unrest in Zimbabwe, Senator Obama today released the following statement:

I am deeply disturbed by the recent events in Zimbabwe and condemn the actions of President Robert Mugabe in the strongest possible terms. The United States and the international community must be united, clear and unequivocal: the Government of Zimbabwe is illegitimate and lacks any credibility.

I welcome yesterday's United Nations Security Council statement condemning the violence sweeping Zimbabwe, and underscoring that the Zimbabwean government's campaign of repression and brutality has made it impossible for the June 27 elections to be free and fair. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is absolutely right when he says that run-off elections under these circumstances would lack any legitimacy.

Indeed, it is the result of the abrogated March 2008 elections that represents the genuine will of the Zimbabwean people. I have spoken with MDC Leader Morgan Tsvangirai to share my deep concern for the way his supporters are being targeted by the regime, and to express my admiration for his efforts to ensure that the will of the Zimbabwean people is finally respected.

The people of Zimbabwe have suffered far too long. They live in fear and struggle to survive, as opposition supporters and leaders, civil society activists, and ordinary citizens are subject to harassment, torture, and murder. The government-orchestrated economic catastrophe has wrought run-away inflation and food and fuel shortages. The regime's deliberate disruption of humanitarian operations has left the Zimbabwean people in utter despair. This crisis is affecting the entire Southern African region and mars the vision of a more just, prosperous, and stable continent to which African leaders are committed.

I am heartened by the growing chorus of African leaders supporting the civil and political rights of the Zimbabwean people. The Governments of Zambia, Botswana, Tanzania, Angola, Senegal, Kenya and South Africa's African National Congress (ANC), civil society leaders and trade unions have all denounced the Zimbabwean government's repression. But they must do much more to help prevent the crisis in Zimbabwe from spiraling out of control. In particular, the South African government and the ANC must recognize the need – and must call for – the kind of diplomatic action that is necessary to pressure the Zimbabwean government to stop its repressive behavior.

The United States should work with regional leaders and others to press for postponed elections conducted under a strong international monitoring presence and, to the extent possible, meaningful civil protection measures. If fresh elections prove impossible, regional leaders backed by the international community should pursue an enforceable, negotiated political transition in Zimbabwe that would end repressive rule and enable genuine democracy to take root. Finally, the United States must tighten our existing sanctions, just as the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Union (AU), and the UN should implement a carefully crafted regime of targeted sanctions against Zimbabwean officials who continue to thwart democracy and undermine the rule of law.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/stateupdates/gG5Rx2

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. This is the kind of statement I expect of our President

it will be good to have someone in the Oval Office of whom I can be proud.

[TBF]

2. Finally a leader who understands the challenges we face world-wide, and gives a thoughtful

response in order to stabilize a country that doesn't even have oil for us to worry about.

[shireen]

3. but ... but ... but ... there's no oil in Zimbabwe

get yet priorities straight!

[ProSense]

4. Good.

With Tsvangirai Facing Detainment, Kerry Pushes U.N. On Zimbabwe Elections

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Sen. John Kerry wrote today to United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon to express outrage at the detainment of Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai and ask that the UN apply meaningful pressure to President Robert Mugabe to ensure the security of Zimbabwe's run-off election. Tsvangirai and other party officials are being held by police at a roadblock. Tsvangirai, the Movement for Democratic Change leader, is due to participate in a presidential run-off election with incumbent Robert Mugabe on June 27.

"Morgan Tsvangirai's detention by Robert Mugabe's thugs is the latest reminder that Zimbabwe's presidential run-off election is occurring against a backdrop of repression and intimidation. Mugabe's brutal dictatorship is laying waste to Zimbabwe to maintain his hold on power: Scores have been killed, while countless opposition lawmakers, supporters, and civil society activists have been detained, beaten, and intimidated, since the voting began," said Sen. Kerry.

"Meanwhile, Mugabe, a man who has used food aid as a political weapon and has Zimbabwe teetering on the brink of a humanitarian disaster, is on holiday in Rome at a UN summit on the international food crisis. The nonsense must stop. The international community, starting with SADC and the AU, needs to ensure Tsvangirai's and his followers' security, while the UN, which never should have invited Mugabe to speak at the summit in the first place, must now use its leverage to demand Tsvangirai's freedom and secure free and fair elections."

On April 30, 2008, the Senate passed Sen. Kerry's resolution urging Robert Mugabe to accept the results of Zimbabwe's elections and step down as President. The resolution was co-sponsored by Sens. Kerry, Coleman, Isakson, Obama, Feingold, Durbin, Dodd, Clinton, Biden, Lieberman, Leahy and Cardin.

On May 23, 2008, Kerry sent letters to President Mwanawasa, Southern African Development Community (SADC) Chairman, and Secretary Condoleezza Rice to push for strong security measures to protect Tsvangirai and others in the run-off election. The Senator asked for action by SADC and continued vigorous diplomatic outreach from the Secretary to help bring about free and fair elections in the country.

Below is the full text of Sen. Kerry's letter:

June 4, 2008

H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-Moon Secretary-General of the United Nations United Nations Headquarters 1st Avenue and 46th Street New York, NY 10017

Dear Secretary-General Ban:

I write to respectfully request that the United Nations (UN) apply meaningful pressure on Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe to ensure presidential run-off elections scheduled for June 27, 2007 are as non-violent, free, and fair as possible. I ask that you use your leadership role to rally support within the UN Security Council for a resolution condemning Mugabe, calling for the immediate release of opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai and his supporters, and demanding free and fair elections in Zimbabwe with international observers present from the Southern African Development Community and the African Union.

Tsvangirai's detention by Zimbabwean police allied with President Mugabe is the latest reminder that the presidential run-off in Zimbabwe is occurring against a backdrop of violence and severe repression. As you know, scores of innocent civilians in Zimbabwe have been killed, while countless opposition lawmakers, their supporters, and civil society activists have been detained, beaten, and intimidated since the initial elections.

Meanwhile, despite formal European Union restrictions on his travel, President Mugabe is in Rome this week at the invitation of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization for a summit on the global food crisis. President Mugabe's policies, including disastrous "land reform" programs and the systematic use of food aid as a political weapon, have left Zimbabwe on the brink of a humanitarian disaster. Given his deplorable record on food security, I respectfully submit that a brutal dictator like President Mugabe has no place at this crucial meeting between the world's leaders.

The UN has an opportunity to respond to those who decry the limitations of international institutions by taking vigorous action in the Security Council that can help stem the bloodshed in Zimbabwe. I hope that you will work with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, U.S. Ambassador to the UN Zalmay Khalilzad, and other world leaders to encourage the passage of a UN Security Council resolution. It is important that such a measure allow for sanctions against Zimbabwe's government should it choose not to release Tsvangirai immediately, end the violence, and take steps to permit a free and fair presidential election with international monitors.

I thank you for your prompt attention to this important matter and look forward to your reply.

Sincerely,

John F. Kerry

Cc: U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
U.S. Ambassador to the UN Zalmay Khalilzad

[ProSense]

6. Zimbabwe could face genocide, Ashdown warns

Zimbabwe could face genocide, Ashdown warns

Tue Jun 24, 7:28 AM ET

LONDON (AFP) - The violence in Zimbabwe could descend into genocide like that in Rwanda in 1994, former international envoy Paddy Ashdown warned Tuesday.

Military intervention in Zimbabwe had to remain an option, the former High Representative for Bosnia told The Times newspaper, while also lamenting the "thunderous" silence of South African President Thabo Mbeki.

"The situation in Zimbabwe could deteriorate to a point where genocide could be a possible outcome -- something that looks like Rwanda," he said, referring to the slaughter by ethnic Hutus of some 800,000 people, mainly Tutsis.

Ashdown added that were the situation to deteriorate to that point, military intervention, with Britain playing a "delicate role" due to its history as Zimbabwe's former colonial ruler, would have to be an option.

Morgan Tsvangirai, Zimbabwe's main opposition leader, has pulled out of Friday's presidential election run-off against the incumbent Robert Mugabe, saying violence against his supporters had made a fair ballot impossible.

more

[DavidDvorkin]

5. Meanwhile, Bush and McCain are being coached with pronunciation

of "Zimbabwe" and "Mugabe" and "Tsvangirai" so that they can make their statements.

[ellisonz]

7. Fuck Mugabe.