David Miliband

Zimbabwe has huge unemployment, hyperinflation, food shortages and all kinds of economic problems. How much is this down to US, UK. European, New Zealand and Australian sanctions against Zimbabwe. Notice that these are white leaders imposed sanctions against a Black man that doesn't play to their tune.

Posted by Stu on June 28, 2008 at 12:34 PM BST #

I am a Zimbabwean and for argument's sake let me mention that I am black. I think sanctions are indeed a necesarry action at this stage. Indeed sanctions are felt by those in most need first but as the saying goes 'A Hungry Man Is an Angry Man'. This is not to support violence but sometimes it causes people to take action they otherwise would not take when they are more comfortable. Zimbabwe is owned by the people not by Mugabe. Pressure I think will take people out of the sidelines and in Mugabe's face. There is a great deal of intimidation but when one has nothing left, there is a force to move forward, there are many examples in history to support this. While these sanctions are not aimed at that type of response I think it will be a by-product. The ones to whom this sanction is aimed will feel the pinch especially if action like cancelling their children's visas who are studying abroad are cancelled and they are facing their children in the same home and they see it affecting their own decendents futures. Zimbabwe is landlocked, sanctions are felt more than on an island. Pressure needs to be placed on the bordering countries too, Mbeki seems to need pressure to get him moving. He forgets that his own nation has a legacy similar to Zimbabwe's and while noone wishing this type of situation on South Africa, Mbeki's lack of action has implications on the attitude set for the region and his own nation in the future. A governement of national unity should not be an option because now African leaders will believe that killing people will be a pre-requisite to clinging on to power. National unity was attempted in Zimbabwe before between ZANU and ZAPU in the 80s after Mugabe's regime killed hundreds to thousands of Ndebeles. Mugabe's agenda is not unity and therefore he should not be afforded this offer at all. One does not restrict a snake by giving it an alternative path to roam and rampage. I am extremely grateful that Mr. Miliband met with real faces of Zimbabweans in Johannesburg and appreciate that he is not backing down in rhetoric or action against the Mugabe regime despite the oveplayed fraudulnt claim that Britian wants to recolonize Zimbabwe. Believe me, a majority of Zimbabweans are well aware Mugabe has lost his mind even if we cannot say it to his face in public...The African leaders know it too but their own awe at what Mugabe has managed to get away with appears to them as an inspiration. The leaders who have openly critisized Mugabe are the few who have a conscience. This is the world's opportunity to stop tyranny. Thanks to Mr. Miliband for all you and your governement are doing.

Posted by N Hodges on July 06, 2008 at 03:45 PM BST #