[DEBATE] : madiba speaks -- briefly -- about Zimbabwe, finally

[mfleshman at aol.com]

too bad something like "he has betrayed our struggle" didn't get said, 
but better than the nothing that has preceded it.

Failure of leadership in Zim - Mandela
25/06/2008 22:13  - (SA)



London - Former South African president Nelson Mandela spoke of a 
"tragic failure of leadership" in Zimbabwe during a celebrity 
fundraising dinner in London Wednesday to mark his 90th birthday.
In what are thought to be his first public comments on the situation, 
Mandela made a brief reference to Zimbabwe as he detailed a string of 
problems faced by the world.

"We look back at much human progress, but we sadly note so much failing 
as well," he said.

"In our time we spoke out on the situation in Palestine and Israel, and 
that conflict continues unabated. We warned against the invasion of 
Iraq, and observe the terrible suffering in that country.

"We watch with sadness the continuing tragedy in Darfur. Nearer to 
home, we had seen the outbreak of violence against fellow Africans in 
our own country and the tragic failure of leadership in our 
neighbouring Zimbabwe."

A run-off presidential poll is due to be held in Zimbabwe on Friday 
although the opposition Movement for Democratic Change's Morgan 
Tsvangirai pulled out.

World leaders have criticised the planned vote, with US President 
George W Bush branding it a "sham".