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S.African Churches condemn Zimbabwe abuse
Terry Leonard, AP
July 15, 2004

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/apafrica_story.asp?category=1105&slug=Churches%20Zimbabwe

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa - The South African Council of Churches condemned violence and human rights abuses in Zimbabwe on Wednesday, and a top council leader said it was time other countries consider imposing sanctions.

Saying South Africa's policy of quiet diplomacy had failed, the council urged more effort in pressing Zimbabwe to end a crackdown on dissent amid an escalating economic and political crisis there.

"The people of Zimbabwe already are suffering. Perhaps under sanctions they would suffer for a shorter period of time," said Cardinal Wilfred Napier, the Roman Catholic archbishop of Durban, in a radio interview on the independent station 702.

Zimbabwe has been wracked by political violence and economic turmoil in recent years as President Robert Mugabe's government seizes thousands of white-owned farms for redistribution to blacks.

Critics say that African leaders - like South African President Thabo Mbeki - have largely kept silent about Mugabe's alleged abuses. Human rights groups and Western nations have condemned Mugabe's allegedly rigged re-election in 2002 and the ensuing crackdown on the opposition.

"The Council decries the tragedy of Zimbabwe, which has resulted in pain, suffering and dislocation for many people in Zimbabwe, as well as the erosion of human rights, the decline of the economy and the destruction of much of the natural heritage," the council said in a statement.

The Rev. Molefe Tsele, the council's secretary-general, told a news briefing that the council wants to discuss the situation in Zimbabwe with Mbeki as soon as possible. Many have criticized Mbeki for failing to pressure Mugabe to restore the rule of law.

Mbeki has said he favors "quiet diplomacy," and that Zimbabwe's governing party and opposition were in private talks. He predicted last year the crisis would be resolved by June 30. "Quiet diplomacy has failed," said Tsele.

Instead, Mugabe has ruled out talks with Zimbabwe's opposition while the government has stepped up a violent crackdown on all forms of dissent, arresting opposition leaders, trade unionists and independent journalists.

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