Date:         Thu, 25 Jul 1996 18:42:54 +0200
From: Bjoern Skolander <skolander@BAHNHOF.SE>

STATEMENT BY THE DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION, MR BORNWELL CHAKAODZA BARRING THE PARTICIPATION OF GAYS AND LESBIANS OF ZIMBABWE (GALZ) AT THE 1996 ZIMBABWE INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR

Note: Bornwell Chakaodza is speaking on behalf of the Zimbabwean government.

At the Zimbabwe International Book Fair last year (July 1995), the
Government of Zimbabwe made its position very clear on the issue of GALZ
publicly displaying their literature and material at any public and cultural
events such as fairs and shows. This was in recognition and appreciation of
the moral repulsiveness and deep distaste in which homosexual practices are
held by a the generality of the Zimbabwean population.

It is therefore with dismay and consternation that the organizers of this
year's book fair have allowed GALZ to participate despite our previously
stated position that Gay and Lesbian activism would not be tolerated in
Zimbabwe. The decision of the ZIBF - particularly given the cultural
abhorrence, public outcry and outrage eloquently expressed by the President
and other Zimbabweans of all walks of life is both shocking and appalling.
It surprises us greatly and is most unfortunate indeed to see the organizers
of the Fair once again being insensitive to the feelings of the vast
numbers of Africa's population and making a decision that they very well
knew would unnecessarily distract attention and commitment to an
otherwise vibrant and most productive event yet held in the region on the
very important theme of "Books for Business". One may ask" What is this
tiny fringe organization called GALZ in comparison to the enormous
benefits that going to flow from the workshops, the promotion of a
reading culture and the exchange of ideas and information at the Book Fair.

Gays and Lesbians have, like anyone, a right to live but they have
absolutely no right to publicly display literature and material at a public
and cultural event where hundreds of children visit to fulfill one of ZIBF
commitments which is to "uphold the right of he people of Africa to have
full access to books which are culturally and materially relevant to their
reading needs".

Remarks attributed to the Minister of Information, Posts and
Telecommunications, Cde Joyce Mujuru to the effect that gays and lesbians
had the freedom to participate at this year's book fair were never said by
the Minister. It was a figment of the press' imagination. The minister in
fact said "I would not be in a position as to support such dirty practices
which denigrate and erode our cultural values".

In the light of the foregoing, the position of the Government of Zimbabwe
has not changed. The Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe remain barred from
renting a stand at this year's Book Fair. And they remain banned from
displaying their books and other reading materials at future International
Book Fairs in Zimbabwe.

The barring of GALZ from renting a stand at the Fair is not a question of
contravening the laws of Zimbabwe or the country's own declaration of
Rights. Neither is it a question of violating freedom of art and expression.
It is an issue of protecting and guaranteeing the cultural health of Zimbabwe.