Quiet Diplomacy victory deferred

Say it with a sting.....

'Quiet diplomacy vindicated'

13/09/2008 12:43 - (SA)
Want to know more?Answerit can help.


MDC to control police
Odinga welcomes Zim accord
'It's too early to celebrate'
Equal power for Zim leaders
Mbeki basks in praise over Zim
MDC: Some unhappy with deal
Zim deal a victory for Africa
Tsvangirai confirms Zim deal
Harare - The power-sharing deal this week between Zimbabwe's main political rivals vindicates South African President Thabo Mbeki who was criticised for his "quiet diplomacy," a state daily said on Saturday.
"It is providential that today, President Mbeki stands vindicated and all those who opposed and badmouthed him over Zimbabwe should hang their heads in shame," The Herald newspaper said in an editorial.
"The power-sharing deal he brokered between Zanu-PF and the MDC is as much a personal tribute as it is a triumph for Zimbabwe, Africa and the entire developing world," it said, referring to the agreement between the party of President Robert Mugabe and the Movement for Democratic Change of opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai.
Mbeki was tasked by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) with mediating talks between Zimbabwe's three main political rivals aimed at resolving a long-simmering political crisis.
On Thursday Mugabe, Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara who heads an MDC splinter faction endorsed an agreement to forge an all-inclusive government.
They are to officially sign the deal on Monday at a ceremony in Harare to be attended by regional leaders.
Mbeki came under attack mostly from western countries for what they termed his "quiet diplomacy," in refusing to openly criticise Mugabe for his policies.
But the Herald likened Mbeki to the biblical good neighbour and hailed the deal as "a celebration of African solutions to African problems."
"It...should be a wake-up call for African leaders to believe in themselves and not always look outside for solutions," the paper said.
"We hope our brothers to our west will learn from President Mbeki's maturity and statesmanship and drop, like a plague, their policy of western appeasement."
But for the press in neighbouring South Africa, the power-sharing deal has been overshadowed by a court ruling Friday throwing out a corruption case against ruling ANC party chief Jacob Zuma, opening the way for him to become that country's next president

SAPA

Comments by Sonny

How many innocent Zimbabweans had to die until now?

If only Mbeki spend more time on his own problems.

Where did all this leave SA?