The Island WORLD Thursday 12th March, 2009 NEWS Updates 11 Mugabe wishes strength to rival-turned-partner HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) - President Robert Mugabe joined thousands of Zimbabweans mourning the wife of a rival turned government partner, call- ing for an end to political vio- lence and wishing Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai strength for the nation-building work ahead. Mugabe addressed about 1,000 government and political leaders and diplomats in the Methodist church attended by Susan Tsvangirai, who died in a car crash Friday. Her husband and children were also in the church, where her body rested in a bronze coffin, as a crowd massed outside. “We are sincerely saddened by the death of Susan and we hope that Morgan will remain strong,” Mugabe said Tuesday. The president, who visited the injured Tsvangirai in the hos- A portrait of Susan, the late wife of Zimbabwe’s prime minister Morgan Tsvangirai, is pital the day of the wreck, said placed near her coffin during a church service in Harare, Tuesday, March, 10, 2009. their fledgling coalition govern- Tsvangirai was attending a church service in memory of his wife Susan who was ment has only just begun efforts killed in a car accident last week. Zimbabwe’s long history of political violence to rebuild a country beset by political and economic crises. blamed on Mugabe’s forces fueled speculation that Friday’s crash, in which the “We shall do our best, our prime minister was slightly injured, was not an accident. Tsvangirai tried to quell the possible best to ensure that the rumors Monday, saying at a news conference there was “no foul play” in the crash. environment that we create in the (AP ) country is a conducive environ- strewn with rose petals. sored attacks on his supporters, ment,” Mugabe said in calling for Tsvangirai, who turned 57 on and Mugabe claimed victory an end to violence. Tuesday, spoke only briefly, despite widespread criticism that Zimbabwe’s long history of telling the crowd at the fair- the second round was neither free political violence blamed on grounds: “Let’s celebrate her nor fair. Mugabe’s supporters fueled spec- existence as God’s gift to me and Despite Tsvangirai’s efforts ulation that Friday’s crash, in to you.” to quash speculation about the which the prime minister was Choirs sang hymns to the wreck, the questions were raised slightly injured, was not an acci- crowd, some of whom wore T- at the fairgrounds memorial serv- dent. Tsvangirai sought to quell shirts declaring Susan Tsvangirai ice. those rumors Monday, saying “our rock, our mother,” or car- Student leader Jonah Bere there was “no foul play” in the ried handwritten signs praising told the crowd of mourners: “Our crash. her. hearts will remain bleeding until Speaking to questions Tendai Biti, No. 2 in a fair and independent investiga- swirling about the car accident Tsvangirai’s Movement for tion has been completed. The and Susan Tsvangirai’s death, accident remains consistent with Mugabe said: “I plead with you to Democratic Change and finance minister in the unity government the patterns of the past. accept it, it’s the hand of God,” Zimbabwe’s political history is according to the British formed last month, delivered the main eulogy. At one point, Biti riddled with these accidents. We Broadcasting Corp. call for an independent inquiry.” turned to Tsvangirai and said: Tsvangirai and his children In recent days, thousands of and Mugabe all stood in turn next “You have no time to cry. Zimbabweans have paid their to Susan Tsvangirai’s open cas- “All these people here are respects at the Tsvangirai home ket, heads bowed. looking for your leadership. We in the capital. Later, at a fairgrounds memo- will be there with you when need- The outpouring of sympathy rial service that Mugabe did not ed,” Biti said. is evidence of support for attend, the eldest of the Burial was scheduled for Tsvangirai, but also a release for Tsvangirais’ six children, 29-year- Wednesday in the hometown of emotions that built during old Edwin, told a crowd of some Tsvangirai’s wife, Buhera, south months of economic collapse and 15,000 he was moved by Mugabe’s of Harare, where she and her of political unrest that has seen words. They “changed my under- hundreds of political and human standing of him,” the son said. husband were heading when their car crashed. rights activists jailed, tortured He also urged his father to and killed. look ahead to the work of rebuild- Mugabe agreed to share power with Tsvangirai under Zimbabwe’s unity govern- ing the country. ment faces the world’s highest “Our path is to grieve and pressure from the leaders of neighboring countries after a official inflation rate, a hunger heal, so we can prepare you for crisis that has left most of its peo- taking the nation forward,” year of political violence and deadlock following a presidential ple dependent on foreign hand- Edwin said. outs and a cholera epidemic Pall bearers carried the election in which Tsvangirai won the most votes. blamed on the collapse of a once- bronze coffin into the Harare fair- enviable health and sanitation grounds across a red carpet Tsvangirai pulled out of a run-off because of state-spon- system. Patriotic Rajapaksa govt. begging for IMF aid – Kirielle by Zacki Jabbar silent as their government adopts UNP policies." The Mahinda Rajapaksa government Kirielle said that the government after accusing the UNP of being a trai- tried to raise US$ 600 million from the torous party for obtaining aid from inter- Sri Lankan diaspora, but failed miser- national monetary organizations, was ably with not even one percent of their now begging for financial assistance target being realised. "This is because from the IMF, lest the economy comes to the diaspora did not believe the lies a grinding halt, Kandy District MP that the government and its Governor Lakshman Kirielle said yesterday. Ajith Nivard Cabraal kept repeating." Addressing a news conference in The IMF, always grants conditional Colombo, he said that the government aid and in the case of Sri Lanka, it and Central Bank Governor Ajith wants among several stipulations, the Nivard Caabral painted a rosy picture rupee devalued. This would result in of the economy and misled the people the cost of living rising by around 50 by saying that there was no need for per cent, he said. IMF aid. "Now this very same patriotic "Confidence in the Rajapaksa gov- government and Governor have asked ernment's policies have plummeted to the IMF for a US$1.9 billion standby such low levels that US$ 425 million out facility. This is because foreign of a total of US$ 600 million invested in reserves can last only until the end of Treasury Bonds have already been this month and unless there is a fresh withdrawn. In contrast the Tokyo infusion of funds, the economy would Donor Conference pledged interest free crumble. The JHU and NFF who were aid of US$ 450 million to the Ranil also in the forefront of labelling the Wickremesinghe government." UNP as traitors, have suddenly gone Diplomats of Muslim countries condemn LTTE attack The High Commissioner for 10 at the Godapitiya Jumma Mosque in Bangladesh and Malaysia, as well as the Akuressa, targetting a peaceful proces- Indonesian Ambassador on behalf of sion led by Government Ministers to cele- their respective Governments, have brate the Prophet Muhammed's Birthday, strongly denounced the suicide bomb held under State patronage, a senior attack carried out by the LTTE on March Foreign Ministry spokesman said. Omanthai police station opens by Dinasena Rathugamage At the opening of the Omanthai police station, Vavuniya DIG Kingsley With the opening of the A-9 highway Ekanayake, Wanni DIG Nandana for traffic from Vavuniya to Jaffna, the Munasinghe, Wanni East DIG Deepal first police posts in Omanthai was opened Dalpathadu, Vavuniya SSP L. G. Kularatne last week. were present. Government has plans to open 10 police Police stations are expected to be opened stations between Omanthai and Elephant to cover the areas of Puliyankulam, Pass. Mankulam, Elephant Pass etc.