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27 June 2008

Who is Morgan Tsvangarai's Guardian ghost-writer?

Yesterday the Guardian published a letter by Morgan Tsvangarai, "leader of the Movement for Democratic Change in Zimbabwe", which urged international leaders to back their rhetoric with military intervention.

Why I am not running
Morgan Tsvangirai

My people are at breaking point. World leaders' bold rhetoric must be backed with military force

...
Our call now for intervention seeks to challenge standard procedure in international diplomacy.
...
We envision a more energetic and, indeed, activist strategy. Our proposal is one that aims to remove the often debilitating barriers of state sovereignty, which rests on a centuries-old foundation of the sanctity of governments, even those which have proven themselves illegitimate and decrepit.
...
We do not want armed conflict, but the people of Zimbabwe need the words of indignation from global leaders to be backed by the moral rectitude of military force. Such a force would be in the role of peacekeepers, not trouble-makers. They would separate the people from their oppressors and cast the protective shield around the democratic process for which Zimbabwe yearns.
...
All well and good and some moral justification for yet another U-SUK led invasion of a far off land for profit. Except, today, Tsvangarai's article no longer exists on the Guardian web site, although it is cached here. And, while the article itself has disappeared, that didn't stop its central meme -- that of Tsvangarai calling for military intervention in Zimbabwe -- making its way into the Washington Post.

More curious still the little twist in the story that Morgan himself has added to what appeared to be his call for a invasion of Zimbabwe:
An article that appeared in my name, published in the Guardian (Why I am not running, June 25), did not reflect my position or opinions regarding solutions to the Zimbabwean crisis. Although the Guardian was given assurances from credible sources that I had approved the article this was not the case.
...
By way of clarification I would like to state the following: I am not advocating military intervention in Zimbabwe by the UN or any other organisation.

A number of questions arise about the original alleged Tsvangarai article in yesterday's Guardian, here's a few of them.
  • From whence did the original and now removed Tsvangarai article come?
  • Who were the 'credible sources' that advised the Guardian Tsvangarai had approved the article?
  • How did the Guardian verify the article's approval?
  • Who at the Guardian approved the publication of the original article?
Thus far, the Guardian has offered no explanation as to how an article by Morgan Tsvangarai managed to pass all its vetting and editorial processes to appear in the paper, only to be denounced the following day by its apparent author as not reflecting his opinion or position regarding what is to be done in Zimbabwe.

If you were still labouring under the misapprehension that the majority of the 'news' is in fact actually 'news', rather than a considerable amount of propaganda presented as 'news', perhaps you might want to reconsider your position.

In the meantime, the Guardian has a little explaining to do.

9 comments:

Shahid said...

Yesterday, a good friend was commenting on the news and sounded exasperated about our lack of military intervention. He recounted the story of an 11-month old baby having its legs broken when its parents wouldn't promise a vote for Mugabe.

I was instantly transported to the fake stories by a prominent diplomat's daughter on the eve of the first assault on Iraq by America and its bitches. She talked about babies being thrown from incubators.

The Antagonist said...

No idea why, but this springs immediately to mind.

ziz said...

Several points -
1. The MC are sopawn of ZANU and Mr Tsvangerai was for a long time a senior guy around Mugabe.
2. Never a mention anywhere about Mengistu who was "escaped" with cronies by the US, is a powerful force behind Mugabe.
3. Invasion - yes but what about the currency.
4. There has to be an economic plan and the best so far is to be absorbed as a statelet of SA , as Lesotho etc., and develop under the rand.
5. Chinese interests ? They have major role to play now in the only serious coal mine which Mr Nicholas Hoogstraten did once , if not own it, behaved as though he did.

That feeds the major power station , the rest they "buy" from SA ESCOM - they haven't paid for a long time, but SA in comradely style don't push for payment.

Who is behind the Guradian piece ? probably traces back top Arlington, PR firm Cohen & Woods who helped Mengistu out and do PR for Mugabe.

Shows the level of imbecility at editorial level at the Guradian.

We did a post once about how the Aegis Inc had a PR piece put in the Grauniad whole by the SPAR agency lauding Mr Tim Spicer.

Anonymous said...

My guess is you prefer quality over quantity, but I sure would to here more of what you have to say.

TTFN.

Anonymous said...

I would sure love to hear more of what you have to say. Also.

(slaps arm for usual careless typing)

The Antagonist said...

Thanks, LWTC, for the words of encouragement. Much appreciated.

"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro", so sayeth Hunter S. Thompson. Which means it's definitely about time to overcome the apathy.

The Antagonist said...

Did you have any particular subjects in mind?

Anonymous said...

If I was to recommend a subject, then I guess the usual energy that goes into your posts, would somehow be different, so I'm hesitant to suggest anything.

But seeing as you did ask, here's just a little one it would please me to see you apply your admirable sence of logic and justice to: A globally sustainable financial system. (If you've got a few spare minutes that is)

Or (oh dear you've got me going now) The establishment of a praiseworthy police force. (Discuss)

Much resepct...
lw

The Antagonist said...

Well, something's up at last!

Will get back to you on the other items, although it's not just you wondering about how to sort the police out, Matthew Norman in the Independent wonders the exact same thing.