"Mugabe heckled as Parliament opens; Opposition jeers Zimbabwe's longtime leader" by Angus Shaw, Associated Press | August 27, 2008
HARARE, Zimbabwe - Opposition legislators jeered President Robert Mugabe yesterday as he opened Zimbabwe's Parliament, singing and chanting and sometimes drowning out his voice.
The rare show of defiance - broadcast live on national television - set the stage for a combative legislature, even as Mugabe and his political foes try to negotiate a power sharing arrangement after disputed elections.
Mugabe's speech could sometimes not be heard over the jeers of his opponents, who clapped and sang songs deriding him and the ZANU-PF. "ZANU is rotten. You are great liars," they sang. "We are tired of you," they shouted.
I certainly understand that sentiment!
Looking annoyed, Mugabe first raised his voice then raced through the final lines of a speech railing against the West for sanctions it has imposed on people and companies linked to him. Yesterday's raucous session may be a glimpse into a future of bitter debates and close votes in Parliament.
Opposition legislators also presented a petition yesterday pointing out that the opening of the Parliament was "a clear breach" of the agreement that led to power-sharing talks. It called Mugabe "the illegitimate usurper of the people's will."
Bush.
The petition also condemned the arrests of opposition legislators. When parliamentarians reported Monday to be sworn in, two were arrested. A third opposition legislator who is on the team negotiating power-sharing was arrested at his home early yesterday, the opposition reported.
Opposition spokesman Nelson Chamisa said the arrests are an attempt to subvert his party's slight majority in Parliament. Some 2,000 opposition activists remain jailed in Zimbabwe months after March 29 elections, where they garnered more votes than Mugabe and his party.
Mugabe reacted violently, unleashing soldiers, police, and militants accused of killing nearly 200 opposition members, breaking the limbs of thousands and forcing tens of thousands from their homes with fire attacks.
The demonization continues (not to say it is unwarranted; however, AmeriKan MSM gives our criminals a pass).
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