Powell calls on regional leaders to exert pressure

Ahead of a visit to Africa by US President George W. Bush, Secretary of State Colin Powell has called on regional leaders to push for political change in Zimbabwe. In an editorial in the New York Times on Tuesday, Powell alleged President Robert Mugabe and his inner circle had a "monopoly of coercive power but no legitimacy or moral authority". He called on African leaders to step up the pressure on the Harare government to respect the rule of law, saying international efforts would come to nought without "greater engagement" by Zimbabwe's neighbours. "South Africa and other African countries are increasingly concerned and active on Zimbabwe, but they can and should play a stronger and more sustained role that fully reflects the urgency of Zimbabwe's crisis," Powell said. He warned that a further deterioration of the situation in Zimbabwe could threaten the stability and prosperity of the southern African region. Observers told IRIN that while Powell's comments could ratchet up pressure on regional leaders to find a solution to the political and economic crisis in Zimbabwe, the scathing attack on the ruling party could also strengthen ZANU-PF's determination to stay in power. "In the past the [Zimbabwean] government has not taken too kindly to what they perceive as 'Western interference' in domestic affairs. Powell's blunt condemnation of the government is likely to elicit a negative response from ZANU-PF, which in turn could worsen the current situation in the country," senior researcher at the Pretoria-based Institute for Security Studies, Chris Maroleng, said. He added that Powell's call for Mugabe to relinquish power could undermine ongoing efforts by South Africa to effect change through "quiet diplomacy". Powell wrote: "With the president gone, with a transitional government in place and with a date fixed for new elections, Zimbabweans of all descriptions would, I believe, come together to begin the process of rebuilding their country." "Any future plan put forward by South Africa that suggests the removal of Mugabe is now likely to be construed as western- inspired," Maroleng said. But Brian Raftopoulous, chairman of the civil society group Crisis in Zimbabwe, told IRIN: "Powell's comments were perhaps directed more at South Africa as interlocutor between ZANU-PF and MDC [the opposition Movement for Democratic Change], rather than the Zimbabwean government. Despite claims of progress, the South Africans have failed to give any indication if its policy of 'quiet diplomacy' is working or not." South Africa is seen as the region's economic powerhouse, but has publicly said it would not be associated with a policy objective of regime change in Harare. Bush will meet President Thabo Mbeki on 9 July in Pretoria as part of his official tour. Mugabe, 23-years in power, won a further five-year term after presidential elections in 2002. But the polls were marred by violence and condemned as unfair by local monitors and some international observers.