Zimbabwe's Tsvangirai Welcomes UN support

On Monday, the UN Security Council unanimously passed a resolution condemning the campaign of violence and intimidation directed against the opposition in Zimbabwe. It was the first time that China, Russia and South Africa had voted in favour of a resolution condemning the violence in Zimbabwe.

Until now, the Security Council has been remarkably quiet about the situation in the southern African country. Neither Russia or China were prepared to openly criticise the Mugabe regime and South Africa continued to push for 'quiet diplomacy'. But on Monday night, the Security Council spoke with one voice, condemning the violence and the restrictions placed on the opposition. The non-binding resolution also criticised the Harare government for denying its political opponents the right to campaign freely and concluded that it was impossible to hold free and fair elections in Zimbabwe this coming Friday.

Responsibility
Mr Tsvangirai welcomed the resolution:

"I think it's a very important resolution. It recognizes that people who are accountable for the violence and this squarely places that responsibility on Mr Mugabe's leadership. How he is going to take it, we don't know. But I am sure that he can no longer remain defiant to that international position, which was unanimous by the way".

Recalcitrant
However, Professor of International Law Willem van Genugten says he does not expect a resolution to increase the pressure on Harare:

"Mugabe has frequently said that he is not impressed by pressure from the international community, particularly from western countries. The Security Council is under the leadership of the United States and Great Britain, which is the former colonial power. I am afraid that this sort of pressure will have an adverse effect and it's just going to take too long. This sort of pressure only makes Mugabe more recalcitrant".

On Sunday afternoon, the MDC leader withdrew from the run-off presidential elections due to the violence and intimidation directed against opposition supporters: "We in the MDC have resolved that we no longer will participate in this violent illegitimate sham of an election process".
The Dutch ambassador to Zimbabwe attended Mr Tsvangirai's press conference and the opposition leader was assured of refuge in the Netherlands' Embassy directly after the press conference.

Threats
According to Zimbabwe expert Peter Hermes, who is in almost daily contact with the opposition leader, Mr Tsvangirai has been threatened and intimidated for a long time now but the threats increased enormously after his withdrawal from the run-off. Mr Hermes added, "Mr Tsvangirai has a good relationship with the Dutch embassy. He can count on their moral support".

Mr Tsvangirai says he does not expect to enjoy Dutch hospitality for a long time. As soon as the Zimbabwean authorities guarantee his safety, he will leave Dutch territory. However, Professor van Genugten says that it is very difficult to guarantee Mr Tsvangirai's safety:

"Is he safe? Only time will tell. But I think it will be very difficult. Mugabe supporters could attempt to do something and depending on the result, you'll know whether protection supplied by the Zimbabwean police was of any use or not".
The professor says it's possible that the Netherlands could undertake to transport Mr Tsvangirai to a third country under diplomatic protection.

South Africa
Is it time to the international community to make a move? So far, responses have remained, "restricted to statements" says Peter Hermes. He believes that the key to the solution is in South Africa but unfortunately, Pretoria is still insisting on a government of national unity led by Robert Mugabe. Professor Hermes: "That is still President Thabo Mbeki's agenda, but that is absolutely impossible under the current circumstances".

by Pieternel Gruppen* *RNW translation (jic) - Radio Netherlands