Posted on 10/17/2005 7:21:28 AM PDT by LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget
PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe was last night branded "heartless" after he commandeered a London-bound Air Zimbabwe plane to the Italian capital Rome, sparking a four-hour wait for hundreds of passengers after the plane ran out fuel.
Air Zimbabwe has been forced to cancel several domestic, regional and international flights due to a crippling fuel shortage and the company's terrible track record of failing to pay for refueling and landing fees at airports around the world.
Mugabe and his entourage flew into a political storm in Rome Saturday where he was invited by the United Nations. The United States said it was "amazed" by the UN agencies' decision to invite the 81-year-old leader who is banned from travel throughout the European Union, although he can attend UN events.
Furious passengers told New Zimbabwe.com how Mugabe and his group forced a deviation in the plane's route, a decision which led to a four-hour grounding of the plane after Air Zimbabwe failed to pay soon after a refueling had been done.
"It seems Air Zimbabwe were afraid to tell Mugabe that the fuel would not complete the journey," said a passenger on the plane. "Frankly, I was pissed off that our journey was altered to suite Mugabe who dumped us when he got to his destination."
Another passenger confirmed seeing refueling trucks approaching the plane. He described dramatic scenes of seeing the plane's captain angrily remonstrating with one of the men who did the refueling.
"For long periods, we were just being told there was a problem. The nature of the problem was not revealed to us," said the passenger who cannot be named.
"Many people thought Mugabe had caused the problem, if not politically, at least by having diverted the plane and the fuel question was never far from people's lips. Watching the captain arguing with the airport guy, we were pretty much convinced at that point that Air Zimbabwe had not paid for refueling.
"I got the sense that the plane's captain was just a pawn in a grand game. It was heartless for Mugabe and the Air Zimbabwe people to expose him the way they did."
It was not the first time an Air Zimbabwe flight had been grounded after Air Zimbabwe failed to settle its bill. Last month, we exclusively revealed how flights to Harare from London were temporarily suspended after a plane was grounded by airport authorities over non-payment of landing fees.
Aviation experts have expressed fears that the severe foreign currency shortages in Zimbabwe have forced Air Zimbabwe to "cut corners" after failing to buy spares and properly service their planes thereby threatening passenger safety.
The airliner has also come under fire for running unproductive routes tailored to reflect Mugabe's 'Look East' policy. Early last month, the airliner embarrassingly admitted flying only three passengers on its Bangkok-Dubai route.
The Air Zimbabwe spokesman was unavailable to comment last night.
I accept. I will report as time goes on.
Some people remember my invasion of Canada. Expect daily dispatches.
....now, back to my regularly scheduled stuff.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1503916/posts
Pay before you pump. If its good enough for Wawa its good enough for Mugabe.
Read the article where the UN cheered Mugabe for his speech calling Bush and Blair evil. If that one dosnt gag you nothing will
We need to move the UN to some other country. Or better yet , If we and the Brits and Japan stop paying the bills the UN will die.
Buffalo, NY -- After reading that Zimbabwe couldn't pay for a single planeload of jet fuel, I realized that this country was so ripe for the pickings that I -- Lazamataz -- could easily take it over and become Supremo Leader and Head Big Pickle of an entire nation.
Well, yesterday I began assembling my troops. I couldn't find too many volunteers: I have three drunken Mounties, seven illegal immigrants (who are all named Pablo, coincidently) and a stuttering homeless man named Stu. I've agreed to keep Stu and the Mounties in beer, and the illegal immigrants only want 5 dollars a day and one of those Mexican calling cards that they will all share.
I'll report on my progress tomorrow. Wish me G-dspeed and GOOD LUCK.
"company's terrible track record of failing to pay for refueling and landing"
Call Bono and Sir Bob.
Thanks for the update. Keep up the good work.
One question - sweet or dill pickle?
May the good Lord hold you in His hand. You are truly doing His work, O potential honcho!
Stevie Wonder has a line in I think it's Jammin'/Master Blaster that reads "Peace has come to Zimbabwe", I think it was written when Mugabe or at least black rule was restored. Makes me laugh when I hear it.
Sweet. I am a Sweet Kosher Pickle.
Still in Buffalo, NY -- I've realized that agreeing to pay for beer was a huge strategic mistake. I cannot keep the Mounties sober enough long for them to pack their gear, and I've simply given up on trying to wake Stu up. He snores and hasn't showered in 4 days.
The illegal immigrants have gotten into the beer as well. Pablo #5 kept hollering "Mas cervesa!" and all of them are singing some Mexican drinking song. The management of the hotel is complaining.
I'm running out of money and options. This invasion of Zimbabwe has taken a huge hit already. Looks like Mugabe might win after all.
Written in sadness, your friend, Laz
*Still* in Buffalo, NY -- Well, I finally got most of my soldiers sobered up. I can't sober Stu the homeless man up, because, frankly, have you ever seen a stuttering man with the shakes? It ain't pretty.
The Mounties have formed something closely resembling a line, and although their uniforms are disheveled and dirty, I think they'll do. The illegal immigrants (who I've dubbed the Pablo Platoon) are eager to start carrying lumber to the work site. It took quite a lot of pidgen-Spanish to let them know that there is no lumber and we're not building a house.
I've started to purchase weaponry for this expidition. So far, I have a single-shot .22 rifle, a pump shotgun, and 2 BB-pistols. Not bad, considering my funds are down to $22.73.
Mobilization for the Zimbabwean war is underway!
Your friend, Laz
My recent employment history includes light delivery and caring for large quantities of dogs. I don't see where you have a K-9 unit, so I would like to be a Diplomatic Courier.
I don't have to money to get to Buffalo, so I probably would need to do my Diplomatic Couriering in the Houston metro area. I have several good ballpoint pens, a zippered bank bag and paper clips.
References available upon request.
Yer hired. I can only afford $5.32 a week, however, I might bump it a little because you'll be bringing a vast arsenal to this effort. :o)
When you decide on a name for your soon to be acquired country, please advise. I will make the appropriate changes on the bank bag Diplomatic Pouch.
It will be named Hutchi Kutchi.
Because, then, when I am violently overthrown, newspapers across the world will proclaim:
...mind if I take a leave of absence....!?
I'll report for duty later....(I hope!)
You are sick. Demented. Nuts. A bloomin' genius!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.