Post by subsaharanite on Oct 11, 2011 21:44:38 GMT 3
According to wikileaks, Branson secretly led a plot by Akina M01 to pursuade Mugabe to step down. Very ironical since some of these 'Elders' like M01did not willingly step down from their power grips.
Sir Richard Branson funded a secret project to try to secure the end of Robert Mugabe's regime in Zimbabwe, leaked diplomatic cables have revealed.
An international initiative founded by the 61-year-old Virgin boss apparently launched a plot to persuade the tyrant to stand down.
Details of the covert plan were revealed in an American diplomatic message sent to Washington in July 2007 from the US embassy in South Africa.
The document, written by America's then-ambassador to South Africa Eric Bost, revealed how Sir Richard agreed to meet in Johannesburg to discuss the scheme with a group of former African statesmen.
The British entrepreneur is well known as one of the founders of the 'Elders' organisation which brings together respected former presidents to help tackle global crises.
However, Mr Bost's confidential memo is the first indication that the group had ever plotted to help directly instigate regime change.
In the memo, which has been published by Wikileaks, Mr Bost wrote: "UK businessman Richard Branson is bankrolling an African 'Elders' initiative to convince Zimbabwean President Mugabe to step down.
"The 'Elders' plan to meet secretly in Johannesburg July 17 to 18 with Branson to discuss their initiative.
"Former Presidents Nelson Mandela (South Africa), Sam Nujoma (Namibia), Kenneth Kaunda (Zambia), Jerry Rawlings (Ghana), Joaquim Chissano (Mozambique), Daniel Arap Moi (Kenya) and Ketumile Masire (Botswana) have reportedly agreed to participate."
Read more: www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2047840/Sir-Richard-Branson-led-plot-remove-Robert-Mugabe.html#ixzz1aV32JtiV
Sir Richard Branson funded a secret project to try to secure the end of Robert Mugabe's regime in Zimbabwe, leaked diplomatic cables have revealed.
An international initiative founded by the 61-year-old Virgin boss apparently launched a plot to persuade the tyrant to stand down.
Details of the covert plan were revealed in an American diplomatic message sent to Washington in July 2007 from the US embassy in South Africa.
The document, written by America's then-ambassador to South Africa Eric Bost, revealed how Sir Richard agreed to meet in Johannesburg to discuss the scheme with a group of former African statesmen.
The British entrepreneur is well known as one of the founders of the 'Elders' organisation which brings together respected former presidents to help tackle global crises.
However, Mr Bost's confidential memo is the first indication that the group had ever plotted to help directly instigate regime change.
In the memo, which has been published by Wikileaks, Mr Bost wrote: "UK businessman Richard Branson is bankrolling an African 'Elders' initiative to convince Zimbabwean President Mugabe to step down.
"The 'Elders' plan to meet secretly in Johannesburg July 17 to 18 with Branson to discuss their initiative.
"Former Presidents Nelson Mandela (South Africa), Sam Nujoma (Namibia), Kenneth Kaunda (Zambia), Jerry Rawlings (Ghana), Joaquim Chissano (Mozambique), Daniel Arap Moi (Kenya) and Ketumile Masire (Botswana) have reportedly agreed to participate."
Read more: www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2047840/Sir-Richard-Branson-led-plot-remove-Robert-Mugabe.html#ixzz1aV32JtiV
