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(TALKZIMBABWE) The West can go to hell - Mutambara

The West can go to hell - Mutambara
Our reporter
Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:57:00 +0000

MDC formation leader, Professor Arthur Mutambara

THE leader of one of the formations of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, Professor Arthur Mutambara has criticised Western countries for interfering in the internal affairs of Zimbabwe. He said the West was racist in imposing sanctions against Zimbabwe whilst negotiations were taking place to resolve the crisis in the country.

In an interview with Geraldine Doogue of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's (ABC) Radio National programme on Saturday, Mutambara responded to the UK Guardian newspaper’s charges that he is a shameless opportunist who was currying favour with former Zanu PF enemies and was driven by ambition to negotiate with the Zanu PF government.

In reponse Mutambara said the West "can go to hell if they don't like the Agreement" on Zimbabwe that will be brokered by the three leaders; President Robert Mugabe of Zanu PF, MDC main formation leader, Morgan Tsvangirai and himself. He was referring to a possible agreement that many people expect will be signed by the three main parties in the country which will set the parameters for sharing power in the country.

Responding to a question that he and Tsvangirai "could be walking into a trap as Joshua Nkomo did in the '80s" when Zanu PF and PF merged, Mutambara said MDC leaders were "smarter than Australians ... smarter than the Americans".

Zanu PF and PF Zapu in 1987 signed a Unity Accord which many people criticised as effectively "swallowing" PF Zapu into Zanu PF.

"Do you think I am stupid? When you ask that question you think we are foolish and we are very offended that you think we are that stupid. We are smarter than the Australians, we are smarter than the Americans, we went to better schools than most of these leaders in America, in Britain and in Australia," added Mutambara.

He continued: "I am coming out of Oxford. None of your prime ministers can challenge me intellectually. So how do you patronise me and tell me that I'm going to be hoodwinked by Mugabe. You are doubting my intelligence. Shame on you."

Mutambara said the negotiations, currently being brokered by President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, are driven by 'national interest' and the West should not interfere.

Calling the West "collectively foolish", Mutambara said the parties to the Zimbabwe unity talks are "discussing as Zimbabweans, and will brook no interference from patronising Westerners".

"Who are you to tell Africans how to run their affairs? If the three leaders agree on a particular position, it's not for Britain, it's not for Australia, it's not for America to say that we are wrong," said Mutambara.

"Who are you? How dare you undermine our intelligence, how dare you are so racist to the extent that you can't guarantee us and give us the respect, the vote of confidence that we can make our own decisions."

Asked whether President Mugabe will emerge as victorious as he did after the 1987 Unity Accord, Mutambara said the MDC knew what it was doing and would not be cohersed into any agreement. He responded: "we know what we are doing. We are capable Africans, we are capable Zimbabweans. We are very clever people."

Mutambara also spelt out an acceptable outcome of the talks on the part of the MDC. Describing any agreement that will come out of the current talks as "temporary", Mutambara said: "The long-term solution for our country is to get a new people-driven democratic constitution, create a national vision, 20-, 30-year vision to make Zimbabwe a globally competitive economy, and hence economically transforming ourselves so that in terms of the capital income GDP, business growth, entrepreneurship, financial literacy we are one of the top 20 countries in the world. We are on a long journey to the Promised Land."

Mutambara also criticised the West for judging the electoral process in Zimbabwe, highlighting that Zimbabwe has never interfered in electoral processes in those countries.

"It (the West) can go to hell. Who are you? Do we judge your elections in Australia? Do we judge your elections and your agreements in America and Europe? Nonsense. If Tsvangirai agrees. Who are you in Australia to judge and say Tsvangirai is wrong?"

Labels: ARTHUR MUTAMBARA, MDC

posted by MrK @ 3:02 AM