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Report of ZIC Committee Meeting, March 27, 2002
1. Report from MDC International Department
The international isolation of the Mugabe government is increasing. Mugabe and Moyo have been very quiet before Easter and everyone is scared of a sudden assault over Easter.
The level of violence against MDC Polling Agents is very high, with physical atacks and destruction of homes and property.
The mobile kitchens network has been expanded to 90 units, and financed with $2,800.00 to come from ZIC.
The OAU meeting in Abuja has just adopted a very strong statement about good governance in Africa, and this is positive for MDC and negative for Mugabe. The African, Caribbean, Pacific Observer Mission has condemned the presidential election as unfree and unfair.
The cancellation of the Australian cricket tour of Zimbabwe has been greeted with delight in the democratic movement in Zimbabwe.
MDC is sending a diplomatic mission to Malawi, South Africa, Mozambique, Namibia, Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda and other African countries in the month following Easter. ZIC is requested to visit as many embassies of these countries in Canberra as possible to support the mission. This is a positive response to criticism from the South African Government that MDC has concentrated too much on Europe and North America. MDC want us to thank the governmetns of Senegal and Ghana for their strong stand agaisnt the stolen election. Pressing President Mbeki and President Obasanjo to take more action is the highest priority.
MDC is strongly opposed to Australia's $2 million in food aid going through the UNDP and World Food Program, and wants us to campaign hard to have it distributed through the Australian High Commission in Zimbabwe.
2. Diplomatic work
a) Cricket tour cancellation
Supporters are requested to write to their local newspaper to support the decision to cancel the tour because of the democratic and human rights issues involved, and to recall the sporting ban on apartheid.
b) South Africa
The SA Government feels it was burnt by its action in suspending Nigeria from the Commonwealth, and will not repeat this. However they are embarrassed at accusations that they have failed to uphold the democratic rights of Zimbabweans.
ZIC will:
* request union leaders with good contacts in the SACP to put the case for the democratic movement in Zimbabwe, and for a better stance by the SACP and the SA government.
* Request the ACTU and affiliated unions to write to COSATU to put the case for the ZCTU and the democratic movement in Zimbabwe, and for a better stance by the SA government.
* Request prominent anti-apartheid activists to write to the ANC to put the case for the democratic movement in Zimbabwe, and for a better stance by ANC and the SA government.
* Request all ZIC supporters to write to President Mbeki / High Commissioner Mugugu to put the case for the democratic movement in Zimbabwe, and for a better stance by the SA government.
c) Nigeria
Friends of the Earth and Human Rights groups took up the cause of the Ogoni people and campaigned against Shell and the military dictatorship. They will be asked to help now on Zimbabwe, using their contacts in Nigeria. We can ask all ZIC supporters to write to President Obasanjo c/- the High Commission in Canberra.
d) MPs
We can write to all federal MPs, and where possible state MPs, and ask them to write directly to Presidents Mbeki and Obasanjo. This could also be raised through the Commonwealth Parliamentary Associations.
Federal Parliament is now in a 7 week recess. We can propose Questions on Notice for MPs that keep the government focussed on Zimbabwe.
3. $2 million food aid
We can ask ACFOA the Australia Southern Africa Business Council and the National Council of Churches to support the call for the extra $2 million in food aid to be channelled through the Australian High Commission in Harare, instead of through the UNDP and World Food Program.
We will research on the causes of the current famine and how it might develop.
4. Black Farmworkers Food Aid Program
ZIC has raised over $14,000 for this project, and sent $10,000. We have had to pay some expenses from the CHOGM visit by Tendai Biti and Sekai Holland. We will send $2,800.00 to cover the latest advance.
A report will go to all donors, to thank them, and to request ongoing support of a more general nature, but still oriented to practical help for the democratic movement.
The ZIC brochure has been updated by Steve and Tricia and will be enclosed with this letter.
5. Mission to High Commissions
Ken Davis, Margaret Waller, and Peter Murphy volunteered for this, to take place on a Thursday or Friday. Jim Holland to be asked to take part. Can also take in ACFOA and DFAT, Minister Downer and PM&C, if possible.
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