US embassy cable - 03HARARE609

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Identifier:	03HARARE609
Wikileaks:	View 03HARARE609 at Wikileaks.org
Origin:	Embassy Harare
Created:	2003-03-25 10:29:00
Classification:	UNCLASSIFIED
Tags:	IZ PREL KPAO KMDR ZI
Redacted:	This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks.

UNCLAS HARARE 000609 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR AF/PDPA FOR DALTON, MITCHELL AND SIMS 
IRAQ PD FOR SMITH, PINESS AND ROOKARD 
NSC FOR JENDAYI FRAZER 
LONDON FOR GURNEY 
PARIS FOR NEARY 
NAIROBI FOR PFLAUMER 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: IZ, PREL, KPAO, KMDR, ZI 
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION WAR WITH IRAQ; HARARE 
 
 
  1.   Under headline "Bush, Blair are villains" the 
      government-controlled daily Chronicle" called 
      for broadcast of "more gory pictures of 
      mutilated British and American soldiers on our 
      television screens," in its March 25 editorial. 
      Excerpts: 
 
  2.   ". . .We wish to see more gory pictures of 
      mutilated British and American soldiers on our 
      television screens.  This will serve as a lesson to 
      those who believe that they can control the world and 
      bully everybody.  It is disappointing that the world 
      has stood by and let George Bush and his partner in 
      crime, Tony Blair, kill innocent civilians under the 
      guise of promoting democracy. . .  We will not support 
      the bullying of smaller nations by those who believe 
      that they can police the world. . .  We are relieved 
      that there are reports that the U.S.-led forces face 
      fiercer-than-expected resistance, quashing hopes of a 
      swift victory. . .  We urge the immediate resignation 
      of Tony Blair and George bush for crimes of war and 
      crimes against humanity." 
 
  3.   Comment: This editorial, truly sick even by the 
      Chronicle's notoriously low standards, contrast 
      harshly to the Zimbabwean information minister's 
      locally ballyhooed March 24 complaint that western 
      media coverage of Iraq abuses ethical and audience 
      standards by showing violent images. 
 
SULLIVAN