Prime Minister Tsvangirai says Mugabe can't be prosecuted.
http://www.latimes.com
The Zimbabwe president can't be held accountable for political violence
during his 28-year rule, but others may be, the new prime minister
tells The Times. By Robyn Dixon, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
September 17, 2008 HARARE, ZIMBABWE -- Zimbabwe's new prime minister
said President Robert Mugabe could not be held accountable for the
political violence during his 28-year rule but that others might face
prosecution in the future.
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the Movement for Democratic
Change, spoke to The Times at his home Tuesday, a day after his
longtime opposition group signed a power-sharing agreement with Mugabe
and his ZANU-PF party.
The issue of prosecutions over political violence and killings is so
contentious that it was left out of the deal negotiations. One senior
ZANU-PF figure said Mugabe would abandon the deal and unleash violence
rather than face prosecution.
Tsvangirai said the president's past actions were "not prosecutable."
"I don't think Mugabe himself as a person can be held accountable," he
said. "But there are various levels of institutional violence that has
taken place, and I'm sure they'll be able to look at that.
"Let the rule of law apply. Isn't that what we all cry for?"
The deal leaves in question whether Mugabe will dominate the new
government and how Tsvangirai will work with bitter opponents in the
long-ruling ZANU-PF. Many likely members of the Cabinet, which will be
divided between the ruling party and the former opposition, are hostile
to the new prime minister; some were responsible for past violence
against his colleagues and sup****ters.
Critics are questioning why Tsvangirai signed the accord without
knowing who will control the security forces and which Cabinet posts
his party will get.
On Tuesday, Tsvangirai predicted that some ministers would actively
work against him, but he said Mugabe would not be a problem because the
president had "given up" -- despite his defiant speech upon signing the
accord.
"There's an inherent suspicion, there's inherent mistrust of Robert
Mugabe," Tsvangirai said.
"It's understandable given his history, given his role. It's part of
his legacy.
"But he also must understand that the future is not in the hands of
Robert Mugabe," he added. "The future is in the hands of those who are
advocating for change of direction, because that is what is going to
rescue this country. And I think he appreciates that."
Tsvangirai said the president's speech offering only half-hearted
sup****t of the deal was "vintage Mugabe at his best -- unrepentant,
defiant, even when he was giving up."
The deal is an attempt to resolve the political crisis over disputed
elections. ZANU-PF lost control of parliament in March, and Tsvangirai
outpolled Mugabe in a first-round presidential vote, leading to a long
political impasse and violence that killed more than 120 opposition
activists.
Tsvangirai said he aimed to win over progressive ministers in ZANU-PF
and sidestep opponents determined to block him.
Tsvangirai desperately needs to attract Western aid to rebuild the
shattered country. He acknowledged that Western governments were
cautious because the deal left Mugabe as president. But he asked them
to recognize the accord as a positive step and sup****t it, "because
they were sup****ting the democratic struggle in the country."
"They are skeptical because they mistrust Mugabe, but they are also
aware of their obligations," Tsvangirai said. "What they're trying to
look for is: Are we in charge of the agenda? Are we putting together a
reform program in line with our policies? How do we restore people's
freedoms? How do we restore economic viability?
"These are the things that would give them positive signals."
robyn.dixon@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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