Military

DATE=5/28/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=ZIMBABWE / OPPOSITION (L O)

NUMBER=2-303729

BYLINE=TENDAI MAPHOSA

DATELINE=HARARE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT

///// CAN BE USED AS ALTERNATIVE TO CR 2-303720, ZIMBABWE / POLITICS BY PETA THORNYCROFT /////

INTRO: Zimbabwe's main opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change, has called for mass protests starting June 2nd. While the action is widely viewed as an effort to push President Robert Mugabe out of office, Tendai Maphosa reports from Harare that the primary goal of the organizers is to force Mr. Mugabe to the negotiating table.

TEXT: There have been differing interpretations of the mass action in various media, but the secretary-general of the Movement for Democratic Change, Welshman Ncube, says ousting President Mugabe is not on the agenda.

/// NCUBE ACT ///

It has never been the removal of Mugabe from office, the objective is always a re-run of the presidential election as far as we are concerned, that election was conducted unlawfully and illegally and the objective of the mass action is to return to legitimacy. The M-D-C has never wanted to walk to State House, the M-D-C has never wanted the installation of its candidate as president; we want the president to be properly elected.

/// END ACT ///

The government has warned that it is going to be tough on anybody who participates in the demonstrations. For the past few weeks there have been police roadblocks on roads around the capital, but Mr. Ncube says his party has no choice but to protest.

/// 2nd ACT NCUBE ///

We are painfully aware of the risks that are involved; we are dealing with a regime, which is known for its brutality and for its lack of respect for human life. But unfortunately there is no freedom which comes without a price, if Mugabe wants to shoot peaceful people; unarmed, all they will be carrying are placards and he wants to live with that in his conscience, let it be.

/// END ACT ///

The M-D-C called for a two-day general strike in March. That action was widely observed, and the party threatened to follow it up with more action if the government did not seriously start to address the political and economic issues facing the country. The government dismissed the M-D-C's demands, but the stakes are much higher now as the economy continues to deteriorate.

Mr. Ncube says he is aware that next week's demonstrations might not force Mr. Mugabe to the negotiating table, but he adds that his party is prepared to keep on looking for other ways to keep pressure on the president. (SIGNED)

NEB/TM/KL/RAE/FC