Zimbabwe -- Mugabe lobbyist quits (Ari Ben-Menashe)

Telegraph (UK) ^ | September 6, 2002 | David Rennie in Washington

[Clive]

One of Robert Mugabe's most vocal overseas mouthpieces has abruptly severed his connections with the government of Zimbabwe.

Ari Ben-Menashe refused to say why he had stopped representing the regime.

The former Israeli secret agent from the Canadian lobbyists Dickens and Madson is a key government witness in a treason case against Morgan Tsvangirai, the Zimbabwean opposition leader.

Mr Tsvangirai is accused of plotting to murder Mr Mugabe. The Zimbabwe government says that a video, secretly shot by Mr Ben-Menashe, shows Mr Tsvangirai agreeing with Mr Ben-Menashe's suggestions that Mr Mugabe be killed.

Mr Ben-Menashe said he stood by his accusations against Mr Tsvangirai, saying: "The tape speaks for itself."

[Clive]

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[toddst]

Sounds like Mr Tsvangirai has the right idea, but said it in the wrong situation. Perhaps Mr Ben-Menashe now agrees with the solution proposed by Mr. Tsvangirai.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

"The tape speaks for itself."

No kidding. It doesn't speak for anyone else.

Grace and Robert - The Farming Mugabes