HARARE – Zimbabwe’s state media expressed unrestrained glee Wednesday at the pending departure of US Ambassador James McGee, who has frequently clashed with President Robert Mugabe.
‘Thank heavens, McGee is going!’ was the headline in the Herald newspaper, which also ran a vitriolic commentary about McGee’s two-year tenure in Harare. The newspaper, a mouthpiece for Mugabe’s party, offered pity ‘to whatever country next has the misfortune of hosting’ McGee next.
It alleged that McGee, who is African-American, campaigned for the ouster of Mugabe and was leaving Zimbabwe ‘bruised and battered’ because Washington was unable to stop the formation of a power-sharing government between Mugabe and the longtime opposition movement.
‘He never wanted it to happen for the simple reason that his brief was to ensure that the ‘monster’ called Robert Mugabe was booted out of office at all costs,’ the newspaper said. ‘On the whole, (he) treated Zimbabweans as a bunch of kindergarten kids who do not know what is best for them.’
McGee’s office said there were no plans to respond to the article. He leaves Zimbabwe in June.
McGee, a harsh critic of Mugabe’s human rights record, was among those voicing concerns that the new coalition left Mugabe with too much power.
The Herald said McGee, a Vietnam veteran and former pilot, fought ‘white America’s war’ in Vietnam. ‘This is a black man who, after bombing innocent villagers … can turn around today and talk self righteously about political violence in Zimbabwe without any shame,’ it said.
– Nampa-AP
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