euro|topics - No agreement in Zimbabwe

02/12/2008

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Main focus of Thursday, August 14, 2008

No agreement in Zimbabwe

Negotiations over forming a government in Zimbabwe have come to a halt. After President Robert Mugabe anounced he will form a coalition with a splinter party, opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai walked out of the negotiations organised with the help of South African President Thabo Mbeki. Following the contentious elections in June, prospects for the country's democratisation seem to have all but disappeared. Europe's press discusses the background and consequences.

Financial Times - United Kingdom

The Financial Times calls for the resignation of Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe: "To have a chance at recovery, Zimbabwe needs a clean break. This is something the long-suffering Zimbabwean electors proved only too aware of when they voted in a first round of presidential elections in March to retire Robert Mugabe. At the least, they now need a strictly defined, internationally monitored, timetable that brings a near-term end to his catastrophic rule. ... Mr Mugabe may be willing to relinquish some of his powers. But he has sought to retain the trump card – a grip on the army and police. It is hubristic on his part to think that simply handing over the ruins of Zimbabwe's economy will be sufficient to persuade the international community to step forward with a rescue package. ... The wily autocrat is turning negotiations into a means of preserving the status quo. At this point, the talks are only worth pursuing if they establish a peaceful way for him to go." (14/08/2008)

Helsingin Sanomat - Finland

Liisa Laakso, professor for international politics at the University of Helsinki, calls in the daily Helsingin Sanomat for the West to exercise restraint in the Zimbabwean crisis: "Zimbabwe holds the world record for inflation. ... The spread of AIDS is the main reason for the world's lowest life expectancy of 35 years. ... There is also great danger of widespread famine. ... The government of Robert Mugabe and [his party] ZANU-PF is responsible for the country's present plight. ... But the opposition has proven its staying power and the old government's resources for oppressing [the people] are almost exhausted. The new situation demands ... a division of powers. ... But the West should not be given credit for this. ... It will take time and effort to achieve national reconciliation, economic recovery and security in the near future. The fate [of this country] lies in the hands of the Zimbabweans. We can only offer support to the Third World in its search for lasting solutions." (14/08/2008)

Süddeutsche Zeitung - Germany

The Süddeutsche Zeitung comments on the role of South African Presidet Thabo Mbeki in the coalition talks in Zimbabwe, calling for one last negotiation attempt: "Thabo Mbeki could not have ... disgraced himself more. He will appear empty handed at the summit meeting of the South African Development Community [in Johannesburg]. ... With Mbeki as a negotiator, there will presumably be no true sharing of power in Zimbabwe between the tyrant Robert Mugabe and the opposition. Mbeki is far too close to the despot. Morgan Tsvangirai, head of the MDC opposition party, had no choice. He had to break off negotiations. ... It would have been a complete surrender to the criminal Mugabe if Tsvangirai had played at being prime minister without any power. ... The South African states should recall Mbeki as negotiator and send a neutral personality from their ranks to Harare. Tsvangirai should agree to one last attempt at negotiation." (14/08/2008)

» To the complete press review of Thursday, August 14, 2008

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