News / National
Mugabe criticises Western countries for being 'unprincipled'
16 Sep 2013 at 05:03hrs | Views
President Mugabe yesterday criticised Western countries as unprincipled for refusing to honour their promise that they will respect the findings of Sadc and the African Union on Zimbabwe's harmonised elections held in July.
Sadc and the AU observers endorsed the elections which were won resoundingly by President Mugabe and Zanu-PF as free, credible and a true reflection of the will of the people of Zimbabwe.
The Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces was speaking at a prize giving ceremony of the 2013 edition of the President's Medal Shoot Competition at the Cleveland Range in Harare yesterday.
"It is abundantly clear that the imperialists will not accept an election in which we emerge victorious," he said.
"The Anglo-Saxon world has failed to live up to their promise that they would respect the findings of the Sadc and AU election observers. This shows how unprincipled our detractors can be, when they fail to even abide by the positions they themselves will have publicly promised to take.
"I am, however, proud that we, as Zimbabweans, know their wayward thinking, which we have learnt to live with for close to a decade and a half now."
The Head of the EU Delegation to Zimbabwe ambassador Aldo Dell Ariccia said last week that the European bloc was still waiting for Sadc's final report to pronounce its position on the elections.
This is despite that the fact that head of the Sadc Election Observer Mission to Zimbabwe Mr Bernard Membe recently delivered the regional body's final report, declaring the polls as free, credible and a true reflection of the will of the people of Zimbabwe.
On the other hand, EU ally, the United States has vowed to intensify its illegal sanctions regime in the wake of the resounding Zanu-PF victory to the extent of belittling the AU and Sadc who endorsed the polls.
The AU and Sadc have called for the lifting of the sanctions setting the stage for a rift between Africa and the West over the Zimbabwe sanctions.
President Mugabe said the refusal by Anglo-Saxons to accept the outcome of the July harmonised elections was clear evidence that they were still determined to re-colonise Zimbabwe.
"Despite the fact that these elections were peaceful, free, fair and credible, we have witnessed a concerted effort by the Anglo-Saxon world, led by Britain and the United States, to discredit them," he said.
"This should serve as a reminder that the enemy we engaged yesteryear as we fought for our independence and economic self-determination continues to pursue an illegal regime change against our country."
President Mugabe said the peaceful environment that characterised the electoral period bore testimony to the commitment, dedication and professionalism of the country's security services in the creation and maintenance of peace and tranquility, as well as law and order.
"I want to take this opportunity to thank you for the exemplary behaviour which you demonstrated during and after the elections," he said.
"The electoral process and the election outcome have been endorsed by Sadc, Comesa, the African Union and observer missions from Latin America, the Middle East and Asia."
President Mugabe said events such as shooting competitions engendered a spirit of resilience which he described as a perfect antidote against relentless efforts by Zimbabwe's detractors to destabilise and weaken the country's systems, particularly the security services sector.
He said the shooting competition was an important event as it enhanced shooting skills among security officers and provided them an opportunity to exchange notes on security developments.
President Mugabe said it was encouraging to note that there was a significant increase of women participants in this year's competition.
There were 48 women in the finals unlike last year when 75 percent of the final participants were men.
"I take note that this year's event saw a significant increase in the number of female participants," said President Mugabe.
"A total of 159 female participants took part in the eliminations. This represents a 21 percent increase on last year's figures.
"In the male category, a total of 354 officers took part in the eliminations, representing a 25 percent increase compared to last year."
This year's shooting competition was held under the theme: "Nurturing skills to enhance national security for economic development."
President Mugabe said the theme was more precise as it reminded people of the need to apply efforts and energies towards defending the country's resources and sovereignty.
The overall winner of this year's competition was Sergeant John Chindito of the Zimbabwe National Army.
Sergeant Evelyn Fimba also from ZNA scooped the Nehanda Ladies Trophy.
Sadc and the AU observers endorsed the elections which were won resoundingly by President Mugabe and Zanu-PF as free, credible and a true reflection of the will of the people of Zimbabwe.
The Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces was speaking at a prize giving ceremony of the 2013 edition of the President's Medal Shoot Competition at the Cleveland Range in Harare yesterday.
"It is abundantly clear that the imperialists will not accept an election in which we emerge victorious," he said.
"The Anglo-Saxon world has failed to live up to their promise that they would respect the findings of the Sadc and AU election observers. This shows how unprincipled our detractors can be, when they fail to even abide by the positions they themselves will have publicly promised to take.
"I am, however, proud that we, as Zimbabweans, know their wayward thinking, which we have learnt to live with for close to a decade and a half now."
The Head of the EU Delegation to Zimbabwe ambassador Aldo Dell Ariccia said last week that the European bloc was still waiting for Sadc's final report to pronounce its position on the elections.
This is despite that the fact that head of the Sadc Election Observer Mission to Zimbabwe Mr Bernard Membe recently delivered the regional body's final report, declaring the polls as free, credible and a true reflection of the will of the people of Zimbabwe.
On the other hand, EU ally, the United States has vowed to intensify its illegal sanctions regime in the wake of the resounding Zanu-PF victory to the extent of belittling the AU and Sadc who endorsed the polls.
The AU and Sadc have called for the lifting of the sanctions setting the stage for a rift between Africa and the West over the Zimbabwe sanctions.
President Mugabe said the refusal by Anglo-Saxons to accept the outcome of the July harmonised elections was clear evidence that they were still determined to re-colonise Zimbabwe.
"Despite the fact that these elections were peaceful, free, fair and credible, we have witnessed a concerted effort by the Anglo-Saxon world, led by Britain and the United States, to discredit them," he said.
"This should serve as a reminder that the enemy we engaged yesteryear as we fought for our independence and economic self-determination continues to pursue an illegal regime change against our country."
President Mugabe said the peaceful environment that characterised the electoral period bore testimony to the commitment, dedication and professionalism of the country's security services in the creation and maintenance of peace and tranquility, as well as law and order.
"I want to take this opportunity to thank you for the exemplary behaviour which you demonstrated during and after the elections," he said.
"The electoral process and the election outcome have been endorsed by Sadc, Comesa, the African Union and observer missions from Latin America, the Middle East and Asia."
President Mugabe said events such as shooting competitions engendered a spirit of resilience which he described as a perfect antidote against relentless efforts by Zimbabwe's detractors to destabilise and weaken the country's systems, particularly the security services sector.
He said the shooting competition was an important event as it enhanced shooting skills among security officers and provided them an opportunity to exchange notes on security developments.
President Mugabe said it was encouraging to note that there was a significant increase of women participants in this year's competition.
There were 48 women in the finals unlike last year when 75 percent of the final participants were men.
"I take note that this year's event saw a significant increase in the number of female participants," said President Mugabe.
"A total of 159 female participants took part in the eliminations. This represents a 21 percent increase on last year's figures.
"In the male category, a total of 354 officers took part in the eliminations, representing a 25 percent increase compared to last year."
This year's shooting competition was held under the theme: "Nurturing skills to enhance national security for economic development."
President Mugabe said the theme was more precise as it reminded people of the need to apply efforts and energies towards defending the country's resources and sovereignty.
The overall winner of this year's competition was Sergeant John Chindito of the Zimbabwe National Army.
Sergeant Evelyn Fimba also from ZNA scooped the Nehanda Ladies Trophy.
Source - Chronicle
