President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe with First Lady Grace Amai at a ZANU-PF rally. The nation of Zimbabwe celebrated 29 years of national independence on April 18, 2009.
Originally uploaded by Pan-African News Wire File Photos
By Takunda Maodza and Farirai Machivenyika
Zimbabwe Herald
GOVERNMENT yesterday summoned US and German ambassadors, Mr Charles Ray and Dr Albrecht Conze, over their "unacceptable and disrespectful" conduct during the burial of national heroine Cde Sabina Mugabe at the National Heroes Acre on Sunday.
Also summoned by Foreign Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi at his Munhumutapa office was the European Union charge d’affaires, Ms Barbra Plinqert.
Ambassadors Ray, Conze, Ms Plinqert and the Greek charge d’affaires
Stephanos Ioannides walked away from the National Heroes Acre after
President Mugabe castigated the US, the EU and their Western allies
for trying to lecture Zimbabweans on how to run their country and
elect political leaders.
President Mugabe told the West to "go to hell".
Minister Mumbengegwi said Government was disappointed that the
diplomats chose to misbehave during a solemn occasion when the nation was burying the late national heroine.
"I have summoned you to convey our concern and disappointment over
your conduct on Sun-day 1 August 2010 during the burial of the late
heroine Cde Sabina Mugabe.
"We observed that you left shortly after the President had just
delivered his speech and before the heroine had been laid to rest
despite that the programme had been availed to you," Minister
Mumbengegwi said.
The programme clearly indicated when proceedings would end and the
order of precedence for leaving the shrine.
In terms of the programme, diplomats were to remain seated until after
the singing of the National Anthem and the departure of President
Mugabe and other VIPs.
"Your conduct was therefore very disrespectful to our national heroes
shrine, the heroine who was being honoured and His Excellency the
President.
"We are disappointed that you chose such a sad occasion to show your disrespect for Zimbabwe, its leaders, its fallen heroes and its
people. This kind of behaviour is unacceptable and will not be
tolerated," Minister Mumbenge-gwi said.
He added: "If you decide to attend such functions in future, you are
expected to show respect and observe the protocol befitting these
important occasions."
Speaking after meeting the ambassadors, Minister Mumbengegwi said the message he conveyed to the diplomats should not be brushed away.
"We are their host and therefore we expect them to abide by the normal protocol guiding diplomatic relations," he said.
The trio immediately convened a Press conference after their meeting
with Minister Mumbengegwi.
Mr Ray told journalists that he would not apologise for his conduct.
"I did nothing to apologise for," he said.
Ms Plinqert was also present at the Press briefing.
The three issued a statement they claimed to have read out to Minister
Mumbengegwi.
"I had been invited by your protocol to attend last Sunday’s State
funeral. I followed the invitation in order to pay my respects. I
earned disrespect in return. It became clear to me during your
President’s address that I was not welcome," reads the statement in
part.
However, Minister Mumbengegwi said he had not discussed anything with the three diplomats.
"I summoned them to convey a message, it was not a discussion," he said.
This is not the first time that a US ambassador has been summoned for
undiplomatic behaviour.
In October 2005, the then US Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Christopher Dell was caught by security forces after trespassing into a restricted security zone in the National Botanical Gardens.
In November of the same year, Mr Dell raised the Government’s ire when he interfered in Zimbabwe’s national affairs by claiming "corrupt
misrule" and not sanctions had caused the country’s economic
challenges.
He was summoned and subsequently reprimanded for his abuse of
diplomatic privilege and flagrant violation of Zimbabwean laws.
When Ambassador James McGee took over from Mr Dell, he continued
interfering in Zimbabwe’s political affairs. Mr McGee, on March 13
2008, travelled beyond 30 kilometres from Harare without making prior
arrangements with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
His action violated Zimbabwe’s rules and regulations, which require
diplomats to make prior arrangements with the ministry.
Mr McGee allegedly made politically charged and inflammatory
statements during his visit to the Avenues Clinic in May 2008.
Ambassador McGee’s actions were in breach of Article 41 of the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations.
The Vienna Convention says "without prejudice to their privileges and
immunities, it is the duty of the person enjoying such privileges and
immunities to respect the laws and regulations of the receiving state.
"They have a duty not interfere with the internal affairs of that state."
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