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Tsvangirai withdrawal: Key quotes Tsvangirai withdrawal: Key quotes
(about 1 hour later)
Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has said he is pulling out of the presidential run-off vote on 27 June.Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has said he is pulling out of the presidential run-off vote on 27 June.
The following are key quotes from, and reaction to, his announcement in the capital, Harare.The following are key quotes from, and reaction to, his announcement in the capital, Harare.
MORGAN TSVANGIRAI, MOVEMENT FOR DEMOCRATIC CHANGEMORGAN TSVANGIRAI, MOVEMENT FOR DEMOCRATIC CHANGE
We in the MDC have resolved that we will no longer participate in this violent, illegitimate sham of an election process.We in the MDC have resolved that we will no longer participate in this violent, illegitimate sham of an election process.
The courageous people of Zimbabwe, and the people of the MDC, have done everything humanly and democratically possible to deliver a new Zimbabwe and a new government.The courageous people of Zimbabwe, and the people of the MDC, have done everything humanly and democratically possible to deliver a new Zimbabwe and a new government.
Conditions as of today do not permit the holding of a credible poll. Given the totality of these circumstances, we believe a credible election is impossible.Conditions as of today do not permit the holding of a credible poll. Given the totality of these circumstances, we believe a credible election is impossible.
We in the MDC cannot ask [people] to cast their vote on the 27th when that vote would cost them their lives.We in the MDC cannot ask [people] to cast their vote on the 27th when that vote would cost them their lives.
On 27 June, Mugabe has declared war, and we will not be part of that war.On 27 June, Mugabe has declared war, and we will not be part of that war.
Our victory is certain, but it can only be delayed.Our victory is certain, but it can only be delayed.
PATRICK CHINAMASA, ZIMBABWE JUSTICE MINISTERPATRICK CHINAMASA, ZIMBABWE JUSTICE MINISTER
Tsvangirai must write formally to ZEC (Zimbabwe Electoral Commission) advising that he is withdrawing from the race, in which event there will be one candidate, meaning there will not be a poll. If he doesn't, the poll will take place.Tsvangirai must write formally to ZEC (Zimbabwe Electoral Commission) advising that he is withdrawing from the race, in which event there will be one candidate, meaning there will not be a poll. If he doesn't, the poll will take place.
SIKHANYISO NDOLVU, ZIMBABWE INFORMATION MINISTERSIKHANYISO NDOLVU, ZIMBABWE INFORMATION MINISTER
It's a sure case that President Mugabe will win resoundingly. Now this is what Tsvangirai has been advised. Rather than face humiliation and defeat of that magnitude, he has been advised not to stand for the run-off election.It's a sure case that President Mugabe will win resoundingly. Now this is what Tsvangirai has been advised. Rather than face humiliation and defeat of that magnitude, he has been advised not to stand for the run-off election.
Unfortunately he is depriving the people of Zimbabwe to vote, to exercise their franchise, and vote him out, because the people have realised that he is just a stooge.Unfortunately he is depriving the people of Zimbabwe to vote, to exercise their franchise, and vote him out, because the people have realised that he is just a stooge.
SPOKESMAN FOR SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT THABO MBEKISPOKESMAN FOR SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT THABO MBEKI
Of course we would like to encourage the MDC to continue to play a role in the normalisation of the political process in Zimbabwe.Of course we would like to encourage the MDC to continue to play a role in the normalisation of the political process in Zimbabwe.
We are very encouraged that Mr Tsvangirai, himself, says he is not closing the door completely on negotiations.We are very encouraged that Mr Tsvangirai, himself, says he is not closing the door completely on negotiations.
LEVY MWANAWASA, ZAMBIAN PRESIDENTLEVY MWANAWASA, ZAMBIAN PRESIDENT
There is no need to be ashamed in announcing that the presidential run-off should be called off until further notice.There is no need to be ashamed in announcing that the presidential run-off should be called off until further notice.
Elections held in such an environment will not only be undemocratic but will also bring embarrassment to the region and the entire continent of Africa.Elections held in such an environment will not only be undemocratic but will also bring embarrassment to the region and the entire continent of Africa.
MARWICK KHUMALO, HEAD OF PAN AFRICAN PARLIAMENT OBSERVER MISSIONMARWICK KHUMALO, HEAD OF PAN AFRICAN PARLIAMENT OBSERVER MISSION
The announcement by the president of the MDC was not something unexpected... particularly considering the fact that the violence was not on the decrease. If anything it was escalating. Here is a situation whereby one party is not free to campaign; one party has no access to public or state media; one party is not allowed to travel the length and breadth of this country as it pleases. So it became clear to some of us that it's becoming more and more a one-sided election.The announcement by the president of the MDC was not something unexpected... particularly considering the fact that the violence was not on the decrease. If anything it was escalating. Here is a situation whereby one party is not free to campaign; one party has no access to public or state media; one party is not allowed to travel the length and breadth of this country as it pleases. So it became clear to some of us that it's becoming more and more a one-sided election.
SPOKESMAN FOR BAN KI-MOON, UN SECRETARY GENERALSPOKESMAN FOR BAN KI-MOON, UN SECRETARY GENERAL
"The circumstances that led to the withdrawal of opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai today from the presidential elections represents a deeply distressing development that does not bode well for the future of democracy in Zimbabwe..."The circumstances that led to the withdrawal of opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai today from the presidential elections represents a deeply distressing development that does not bode well for the future of democracy in Zimbabwe...
The campaign of violence and intimidation that has marred this election has done a great disservice to the people of thecountry and must end immediately." The campaign of violence and intimidation that has marred this election has done a great disservice to the people of the country and must end immediately."
CARLTON CARROLL, WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMANCARLTON CARROLL, WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN
The government of Zimbabwe and its thugs must stop the violence now.The government of Zimbabwe and its thugs must stop the violence now.
All parties should be able to participate in a legitimate election and not be subject to the intimidation and unlawful actions of the government, armed militias and so-called war veterans.All parties should be able to participate in a legitimate election and not be subject to the intimidation and unlawful actions of the government, armed militias and so-called war veterans.
DAVID MILIBAND, UK FOREIGN SECRETARYDAVID MILIBAND, UK FOREIGN SECRETARY
Now we face a critical crisis of legitimacy because it's clear that the only people with any shred of legitimacy are thepeople who won the March 29 first round, and that was the opposition. Now we face a critical crisis of legitimacy because it's clear that the only people with any shred of legitimacy are the people who won the March 29 first round, and that was the opposition.
We have reached an absolutely critical moment in the drive by the people of Zimbabwe to rid themselves of the tyrannicalrule of Robert Mugabe. We have reached an absolutely critical moment in the drive by the people of Zimbabwe to rid themselves of the tyrannical rule of Robert Mugabe.
BERNARD KOUCHNER, FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTERBERNARD KOUCHNER, FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER
This man, and I am speaking of Mr Mugabe, who believes he has been designated by God... is nothing but a crook and a murderer...This man, and I am speaking of Mr Mugabe, who believes he has been designated by God... is nothing but a crook and a murderer...
He (Tsvangirai) has thrown in the towel because his party supporters and especially the activists are being murdered.He (Tsvangirai) has thrown in the towel because his party supporters and especially the activists are being murdered.
It is out of the question for France to accept this fake election which would have a single candidate... and there is no question of accepting the result. This is really the biggest denial of democracy that Africa has known.It is out of the question for France to accept this fake election which would have a single candidate... and there is no question of accepting the result. This is really the biggest denial of democracy that Africa has known.
OFFICE OF JAVIER SOLANA, EU FOREIGN POLICY CHIEFOFFICE OF JAVIER SOLANA, EU FOREIGN POLICY CHIEF
Javier Solana... considers that the withdrawal of Mr Morgan Tsvangirai... is understandable, given the unacceptablesystematic campaign of violence, obstruction and intimidation lead by the Zimbabwean authorities, which has continued for several weeks. Javier Solana... considers that the withdrawal of Mr Morgan Tsvangirai... is understandable, given the unacceptable systematic campaign of violence, obstruction and intimidation lead by the Zimbabwean authorities, which has continued for several weeks.
In these conditions, the elections have become a travesty of democracy. They are certainly not worthy of the African continent of today.