President-elect Obama's Statement On Mugabe

Robert Mugabe has sent a note to Barack Obama congratulating him on his election and saying he hopes to work with the new American president to "improve bilateral relations."

Below I reproduce, exactly as it was delivered, then-Senator Obama's speech to the American Senate. As is normal, wherever Obama speaks of "Mr President" - he is refering to the Senate president. It is an engaging piece:

Statement of Senator Obama on Zimbabwe

Thursday, March 15, 2007

"Mr. President, the events of the last few days in Zimbabwe are outrageous and warrant universal condemnation. It is time for the government of Robert Mugabe to cease its repressive and divisive actions, and to allow Zimbabweans to pursue their hopes for legitimate political change and opportunity.Since Sunday, the world has watched with horror and outrage as the Mugabe government has cracked down on legitimate opposition, detained fifty Zimbabweans attending a peaceful prayer meeting outside of Harare, and brutalized opposition leaders and ordinary citizens alike. A protestor was shot and killed. Morgan Tsvangirai, the leader of the Movement for Democratic Change, has been badly beaten and suffered severe head injuries. Lovemore Madhuku, the leader of the National Constitutional Assembly, reportedly has a broken arm and numerous other wounds. Many of their colleagues in opposition remain in Harare hospitals.

The government has responded to the outrage prompted by these attacks on human rights and legitimate expression with characteristic bluster. Once again, we are told that the opposition is to blame. Once again, we hear ominous warnings that the opposition is “set to pay a very heavy price, regardless of who they are.” Meanwhile, the true cause of the strife – President Mugabe’s disastrous rule – remains unaddressed.

To the dismay even of his own party, he has declared his intention to run for a new term in office in 2008. Mr. President, these events are shocking, but sadly they do not come as a surprise. For years, it has been increasingly apparent that the Mugabe government is interested only in its own survival and enrichment, not the welfare of the people of Zimbabwe. International observers – including the United States – concluded that the presidential election of 2002 and the parliamentary elections of 2005 were not free and fair. The State Department reported just last week in its country report on human rights in Zimbabwe that: “The government engaged in the pervasive and systematic abuse of human rights. The ruling party’s dominant control and manipulation of the political process through intimidation and corruption effectively negated the right of citizens to change their government.”

Meanwhile, the government’s corruption and mismanagement has brought the Zimbabwean economy to the brink of ruin. Estimates place inflation at a world-high of 1,700 percent, and the IMF forecasts that this could pass 4,000 percent by the end of the year. Unemployment stands at 80 percent. Poverty rates are soaring. Zimbabwe’s economy is shrinking faster than any other country in the world that is not at war. I am heartened, though, that this political and economic deterioration has been met with growing calls for change. Within Zimbabwe, the opposition to Mugabe is showing resilience and courage. Factions of Mugabe’s own party have indicated that they want a transition in 2008, and ordinary citizens are increasingly voicing their hopes for a new chapter.

Beyond Zimbabwe, frustration with the Mugabe government is mounting. The head of the African Union has expressed his embarrassment at the situation in Zimbabwe. South Africa and the Southern African Development Community, which have been slow to criticize Zimbabwe in the past, seem to be losing patience. The United States, European Union, and the United Nations were swift in condemning this latest outrage, and have been consistent in their calls for change. Mr. President, the United States must continue to stand strongly against the Mugabe government’s abuses of power in Zimbabwe.

We must join with our European allies, the United Nations, and – most importantly – the countries and institutions of the region to press for positive change in Zimbabwe. That means a peaceful democratic transition in 2008, and support for economic growth and opportunity – including the lifting of sanctions – once the dark cloud of Mugabe’s rule is lifted, and Zimbabweans are able again to reach for the new horizon they deserve.

I call on President Mugabe to immediately release all political detainees and repeal the ban on political rallies, to end the use of violence and torture in the jails, permit a free media and abide by the rule of law. His government must also urgently address the humanitarian crisis that has put the mass of his population in dire need of assistance. Zimbabwe is a nation rich in history and rich in resources. Its talented people have known great hardship just as they have achieved great heights. When Robert Mugabe became president over a quarter century ago, there was great hope. Zimbabwe had emerged from British rule, claiming its freedom and its future for itself. Sadly, the freedom and opportunity for which Zimbabweans fought have been eclipsed in the last decade by repression and uncertainty.

Instead of peaceful self-determination, we see Zimbabweans intimidated and beaten in the streets. Instead of the responsible management of Zimbabwe’s state institutions, we see state-sanctioned corruption, violence and property seizures. Instead of economic self-sufficiency, we see what was once one of Africa’s most promising economies in a free-fall. Yet I am confident that the people of Zimbabwe will once again claim for themselves a better future. As they seek to hold their leaders accountable, as they try to rebuild their lives and their country, they must know that they have a strong and steady friend in the United States. The events of the last few days – and the Mugabe regime – must belong to the past, and the United States must work with the international community to help all Zimbabweans forge a better future."

And then, after this year's March election an as Mugabe hid the results from everybody, Obama fired off another salvo, reproduced in its entirety below:

Obama Statement on Zimbabwe's Election
Friday, April 4, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S.

Senator Barack Obama today released the following statement on Zimbabwe's presidential and parliamentary elections:
"On March 29th, millions of Zimbabweans went to the polls to choose their president and parliament. The resulting defeat of the ruling ZANU-PF party in parliamentary elections underscores the Zimbabwean people's rejection of the failed policies and the widespread suffering caused by Robert Mugabe's repressive rule. "The long delayed release of the results of the senate and presidential ballots by the Zimbabwean Election Commission has exacerbated suspicions that Mugabe will again manipulate the outcome. The election results should be announced without further delay. Yesterday's detentions, including of two foreign journalists, among them a reporter for the New York Times, and of an American staffer of the National Democratic Institute, further fuel tension. The government's raid on the offices of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change as well as today's staged march through Harare of so-called "war veterans" are provocative tactics designed to intimidate the opposition and Zimbabwean people.
"Zimbabwe now appears poised to hold a run-off election for the presidency, which Mugabe has vowed to contest. This election must be conducted in a fully transparent manner, free from intimidation and consistent with the rule of law. These elections have the potential to be truly historic, if indeed they are fully free and fair. Their conduct and outcome will determine if Zimbabwe's economic and humanitarian crisis is deepened, or if the door is finally opened to a new and more hopeful chapter in Zimbabwe's history."

But there is even more. Speaking in June of this year, only a couple of days before the run-off and just after Morgan had pulled out, Obama had the following to say. Below is the report as it appeared on timesonline the UK website of the Times newspaper:

"Indeed, it is the result of the abrogated March 2008 elections that represents the genuine will of the Zimbabwean people,” Obama said
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.”
Mr Obama’s intervention represented his first remarks on the developing crisis in Zimbabwe since June 13.
John McCain, his Republican rival, has emphasised repeatedly what he claims are his superior foreign policy credentials. However, he last commented on Zimbabwe on April 7, describing Mr Mugabe as an autocrat and his government a pariah.
Britain’s colonial past in Zimbabwe, as well as the family ties of many UK citizens, probably ensures the issue receives more attention there than elsewhere in the West.

Mr Obama has made much of his African heritage as the son of a Kenyan goat herder and his capacity to reach out to the rest of the world.
Last year he sponsored a Bill in the Senate calling on the international community to apply “appropriate pressures” against Mr Mugabe.
Yesterday, he suggested the solution to a crisis which is affecting the entire region lay in Africa’s own hands. “I am heartened by the growing chorus of African leaders supporting the civil and political rights of the Zimbabwean people,” he said.
“But they must do much more to help prevent the crisis in Zimbabwe from spiralling out of control. In particular, the South African Government and the ANC must recognise the need - and must call for - the kind of diplomatic action that is necessary to pressure the Zimbabwean government to stop its repressive behaviour.”
If fresh elections prove impossible, added Mr Obama, the US and other countries should tighten “targeted sanctions” and “pursue an enforceable, negotiated political transition in Zimbabwe that would end repressive rule”.

In the absence of a public response to Mugabe's message from Obama we can take the above as the new American president's response.