Steve Hayes wrote:
> By the* International Socialist Organisation of Zimbabwe*
>
> * * *
>
> June 23, 2008 -- After the publication of the original article (see
> below), Movement for Democratic Change presidential candidate Morgan
> Tsvangirai held a press conference at which he issued a statement to the
> effect that the MDC is pulling out of the presidential run-off election
> because conditions for a free and fair election do not exist, [due to
> the] the massive violence against his party and civic society. The press
> conference followed the disruption of his final rally in Harare by
> ZANU-PF vigilantes on June 22. Tsvangirai stated that the MDC was to
> carry out further consultations and would announce the details of the
> way forward.
> We welcome the position taken by the MDC, and initial re****ts indicate
> that this position has been accepted by MDC and civic society activists
> and sup****ters.
> However, this decision needs to be followed by quick and concrete steps
> on the way forward, based on a united-front and mass-action strategy, as
> indicated [in the earlier article below]. We are [aware] that sections
> of the bourgeoisie, the Rhodesian right wing and the imperialist West
> will not be happy with this decision, seeing it as a premature surrender
> and may even put pressure on the MDC to rescind the decision.
> Taking advantage of the USAs presidency of the UN Security Council this
> month, they might want to see a few more bodies in the streets ahead of
> the election to justify their likely escalation of siege of the Mugabe
> regime. But the MDC must resist this. Its activists and sup****ters, as
> well as those in civic society, desperately need breathing space to
> retreat in order, reorganise and begin the fightback. To wait for a sure
> defeat come June 27 will make it that much more difficult to mobilise
> the necessary program of civil disobedience, mass action and
> delegitimisation of the regime. Indeed, the economic situation in the
> coming few weeks is going to see us descend to the parameters of hell as
> the West and big business escalate pressure on the regime, economically
> and politically, to force it into a neoliberal power-sharing government
> of national unity (GNU) deal with the opposition.
> This has put the regime in a quagmire but it is likely to continue with
> its sham election to gain legitimacy. Legally, it may invoke provisions
> of the electoral laws which stipulate that withdrawal can be no later
> than 21 days before the election and that in any case standing in the
> run-off is by law for the top two contesting candidates. The key
> therefore is to launch an immediate political program of
> delegitimisation of the run-off election, locally, regionally and
> internationally.
> Regroupment of civic groups and the establishment of the united front of
> resistance of the opposition and civic society has therefore now assumed
> paramount im****tance. This is more so because of the massive likely
> pressure on the MDC to now enter negotiations for a government of
> national unity from South African president Thabo Mbeki, the Southern
> African Development Community (SADC), the UN and the capitalist and
> imperialist forces. This is no solution for working people and must be
> resolutely rejected.But given the MDCs history of prevarication and the
> strong influence of capitalist elites within its leader****p, it may not
> surprise if it ends up capitulating again. The lessons from Kenya are
> that united, resolute and autonomous activities and mobilisation by a
> united front of civic society can stop this and embolden the more
> radical sections of the opposition to fight rather than capitulate to
> the regime.
>
> Full: http://links.org.au/node/489
>
> Subscribe free to /Links - International Journal of Socialist Renewal/ -
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>
>
Yawn, where are they when we need them? Communiques mean jack **** at
this stage. I want action Noddy.
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