Mbeki 'astounded' by Cosatu

PRESIDENT Thabo Mbeki has broken his silence over Cosatu's recent visit to Zimbabwe, saying the labour federation showed contempt for President Robert Mugabe.

Mbeki's utterances follow a statement by Cosatu secretary-general Zwelinzima Vavi saying the federation was not prepared to support Mbeki's "quiet diplomacy" with regard to Zimbabwe.

He said Mbeki's approach "contributed" to Mugabe's political arrogance.

Writing on the ANC Today website, Mbeki accused Cosatu and Vavi of lacking respect for a head of state - and the Zimbabwean government's right to determine who should visit the country.

He said Cosatu "insisted on its right to visit Zimbabwe regardless of the wishes of the government of that country, and the right of that government, like any other, to decide which foreigners to admit into the country".

"Presumably Cosatu expected that President Mugabe, a head of state, would accept that the situation in Zimbabwe justified that a South African trade union federation should send a political fact-finding mission, whose fact-finding activities he should facilitate, and with which he should then communicate."

Mbeki said he found it odd that Vavi and Cosatu wanted Mugabe, through his international relations secretary, to arrange several meetings with the delegation and provide a firm undertaking to the Cosatu delegation regarding "when he would meet the Cosatu delegation; what arrangements he had made for the delegation to meet the minister of labour; and which other organisations the delegation should meet".

"It is our firm view that under any circumstances, this approach to any head of state, including President Mugabe, was astounding. The contempt for a head of state, a sovereign government and state could not have created a climate conducive to serious discussions."

Mbeki praised the Zimbabwean authorities for being "humble" in their response to the Cosatu secretary-general during preparations for the visit.

Mbeki said the task of government and the ANC was to work honestly and inclusively with all the leaders of Zimbabwe to support them as they strived to solve their problems, and to avoid any action that might suggest an arrogant superiority over the people of Zimbabwe.

"We will continue to support the Joint Tripartite Commission formed by the South African and Zimbabwe social partners in 2003, with the involvement of all three of our country's trade union federations, and urge the social partners to use this institution to assist the people of Zimbabwe to overcome their challenges.

"We will also continue to work with all representative organisations of our own people, together to contribute whatever we can to a bright future for Zimbabwe."

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