Consider leaving Zim, US tells citizens

SAPA-AFP via Independent Online (Sa) ^ | January 23, 2004

[Clive]

Washington - The United States on Thursday again urged Americans to consider leaving Zimbabwe, warning that the ongoing political, economic and humanitarian crises could have a serious impact on security there.

"Zimbabwe is in the midst of political, economic, and humanitarian crises with serious implications for the security situation in the country," the State Department said in a statement.

"All US citizens in Zimbabwe are urged to take those measures they deem appropriate to ensure their well being, including consideration of departure from the country," it added.

Crime has surged because of the nation's economic collapse, with extremely high rates of unemployment and inflation, while about half the country's population faces food shortages and possibly famine, the statement said.

"The humanitarian crisis is expected to worsen in coming months and may lead to unrest and possible large-scale migration of Zimbabweans to urban or border areas, with further disruption and an increase in crime and instability," it said.

Fuel shortages have hindered travel within the country, and the state department said commercial farms should be avoided entirely because of the threat of violence by settlers or self-styled war veterans, "who are typically young government supporters acting with impunity outside the law." - Sapa-AFP

[Clive]

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[CindyDawg]

And take our money with us.

[blam]

How long before the same is said about South Africa? Mbeki likes Mugabe's style of 'land reform.'

[CatoRenasci]

I feel human sympthay for people who seem to be trapped in Rhodesia, e.g. Cathy Buckle, but for the life of me I cannot understand any white, or even coloured (i.e. Asian), person remaining in Rhodesia. The time to get out was several years ago, and now it's well past Kristallnacht. Forget your land (for now -- plenty of time for claims later) and your money: just get out. Come to the US, Britain or Oz, but get yourself and your family safely out.

[Clive]

"How long before the same is said about South Africa?"

There has been some discussion of that on FR over the past 3 years.

Not about whether it will happen. The issue is when.

The range seems to be between 10 and 20 years between events in Zimbabwe and their replication in South Africa.

[Cindy]

http://travel.state.gov/zimbabwe_warning.html

Travel Warning
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520


This information is current as of today, Fri Jan 23 2004 22:28:12 GMT-0800.


Zimbabwe



January 22, 2004


This Travel Warning is being issued to remind Americans of the political, economic and humanitarian crises in Zimbabwe . This supersedes the Travel Warning of January 27, 2003 .


The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to Zimbabwe . Zimbabwe is in the midst of political, economic, and humanitarian crises with serious implications for the security situation in the country. All U.S. citizens in Zimbabwe are urged to take those measures they deem appropriate to ensure their well being, including consideration of departure from the country.


The Zimbabwean economy is in precipitous decline, with extremely high rates of unemployment and inflation. The economic crisis has led to a serious increase in crime. Zimbabwe is experiencing nationwide fuel shortages that have hindered in-country travel.


Approximately half the population of Zimbabwe faces an urgent food crisis and possible famine. The humanitarian crisis is expected to worsen in coming months and may lead to unrest and possible large-scale migration of Zimbabweans to urban or border areas, with further disruption and an increase in crime and instability.


Commercial farms should be avoided at all times, especially those occupied by settlers or so-called "war veterans," who are typically young government supporters acting with impunity outside the law. In November 2002, U.S. Embassy staff members were detained and one was beaten by war veterans on a farm near Harare .


All Americans who travel to or reside in Zimbabwe despite this Warning are urged to register with the U.S. Embassy in Harare located at 172 Herbert Chipeto Ave. The U.S. Embassy in Harare can be contacted by phone at (263) 4-520-594/5.


Updated information on travel and security in Zimbabwe may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747, or from the U.S. Embassy in Harare . U.S. citizens should also consult the Department of State's Consular Information Sheet for Zimbabwe , and the World Wide Caution Public Announcement , which are located on the Department's internet web site at http://travel.state.gov.


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