Posted on 06/17/2008 9:15:18 AM PDT by Clive
Harare/Johannesburg - President Robert Mugabe has indicated clearly for the first time that he will disregard the result of elections if his Zanu-PF party loses, according to reports in the state press on Monday.
"We fought for this country and a lot of blood was shed," the state-controlled daily Herald quoted him as telling a rally on Sunday in Silobela, a village in the country's central midlands province.
"We are not going to give up our country because of a mere X. How can a ballpoint pen fight with a gun?"
Senior officials in Mugabe's administration, including top army officials, have made similar remarks during campaigning ahead of the presidential run-off between Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai, the head of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party on June 27.
Hardened position in past week
Two weeks ago, Mugabe's wife, Grace, declared publicly: "Morgan Tsvangirai will never step foot in state house (the official presidential residence)."
The 84-year-old leader's remarks indicate he has hardened his position in the last week, while human rights workers and MDC officials report escalating violence in crowded, poor townships around Harare.
Mobs of Zanu-PF youths are said to be dragging people out of their homes at night, beating them up and forcing them to denounce Tsvangirai.
Legal analysts say Mugabe's threat to fight against a constitutionally-elected government and president are "treasonous".
Tsvangirai and the MDC inflicted the first election defeat on Mugabe and his party, winning Parliamentary elections and taking a majority in the presidential vote.
Up to 70 murdered
Official results showed that Tsvangirai had failed to obtain more than 50% of the vote needed for an outright win in the presidential election, making a run-off necessary.
The MDC says nearly 70 people have been murdered, several of them burned alive and mutilated, nearly 3 000 have had to be treated in hospital and 25 000 have been driven from their homes.
On Sunday, the Herald quoted Mugabe as saying that thousands of Zimbabweans had died during the 1973-1979 civil war against white minority rule, and that "any attempt to reverse the gains of the struggle would be fiercely resisted".
Mugabe claims the MDC is run by the governments of Britain and the United States.
Observers say his remarks may indicate growing anxiety that he may lose the election despite the violence in the 10-week campaign period. - Sapa-dpa
Mugabe and his thugs are putting out vibes that they have become so bloody-minded that the Gukurahundi will look like a tea party.
Somehow... I never thought Mugabe would give up his power...
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..well personally, I blame Bush...
In the world of thugs, only guns have the power to stop them. I will be quoting this in every debate with liberals I have. The enemies of freedom do not see danger unless they are looking down the barrel of a gun.
A slow train-wreck BTT. You can’t stop it and you can’t stop watching.
US and Great Britain tried to get UN Security Council action last week. South African President said no and Russia vetoed, so much for UN!
“We are not going to give up our country because of a mere X. How can a ballpoint pen fight with a gun?”
Paging Jimmy Carter. Time to shill for your favorite dictator.
Somehow,there’s never a sniper around when you need one...for the Comrade *and* his body doubles.
You don’t bring a pen to a democratic election, you bring a gun to ensure that you win. (dictator politics 101)
I hear your concerns.
There may not be an election,, period..
Ceaucescu Time for the Mugabes and tribunals for all his generals and lackies.
The government in Zimm can not take a breath without the permission if S. Africa and its ruler. One country and one person is to blame. Blame S. Africa and Tabo Mbeki for all this!
Someone please shoot this man.
I had read someplace that the pen was mightier than the sword...I guess that was incorrect.
So, IOW, go ahead and have your silly elections, but no matter who “wins”, I’m staying right here at the top......with my guns..............
"Democracy" -- African style -- aided by gun control...
That sort of crap is precisely why our forefathers put the Second Amendment in our Constitution.
Ol Muggyhead should try that "mere X" crap here -- the electorate has BOTH pens AND guns...
A preview of the coming Obama administration...
No you are not incorrect. Its just that it only works in certain situations. It won't work where your opponent is willing to up the ante. Thats why for example a Gandhi like nonviolent protest would work against the British but would fail in Hitlers Germany.
Good point.
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