South African President Thabo Mbeki denied that he had discussed with United States President George Bush during his visit to Pretoria that President Robert Mugabe would step down in December.
He was reacting to a story in the British newspaper, The Independent, which had been written by Zimbabwean journalist Basildon Peta, which also said Mugabe’s stepping down as leader of ZANU-PF could pave the way for his exit and fresh elections in 2004.
“There is no such thing. I don’t know where that comes from. . .There was no discussion at all about anybody stepping down,” Mbeki was quoted as saying.
Full cable:
Viewing cable 03HARARE1462, MEDIA REPORT PRESIDENT BUSH’S TRIP TO AFRICA;
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180840Z Jul 03
UNCLAS HARARE 001462
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/PDPA FOR DALTON, MITCHELL AND SIMS
NSC FOR JENDAYI FRAZER
LONDON FOR GURNEY
PARIS FOR NEARY
NAIROBI FOR PFLAUMER
E.O. 12958: N/A
SUBJECT: MEDIA REPORT PRESIDENT BUSH’S TRIP TO AFRICA;
HARARE
According to press reports, South African President Thabo
Mbeki has distanced himself from news stories alleging that
he had told President George W. Bush – during their meeting
in Pretoria – that Robert Mugabe would step down in
December. Mbeki’s denial has made headlines in the local
press. The July 18 edition of the government-controlled
daily “The Herald” published a wire article by Agence
France Presse as its lead story, under headline “Mbeki
denies report: `There was no discussion at all about
anybody stepping down.'” The independent daily “The Daily
News” (07/18) relegated the same story to page 3. Reacting
to reports in Britain’s Independent newspaper that he
(President Mbeki) and President Bush had discussed Mugabe’s
exit during President Bush’s whistle-stop visit of Africa
last week, SAPA news agency quotes, President Mbeki as
having told reporters at a briefing in Pretoria: “There is
no such thing. I don’t know where that comes
from. . .There was no discussion at all about anybody
stepping down.” A weekend report in Britain’s Independent
newspaper, by Zimbabwean journalist Basildon Peta, also
said Mugabe’s stepping down as leader of ZANU PF could pave
the way for “his exit and fresh elections in 2004.”
SULLIVAN
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