Internet A Tool Of British Imperialism, Says Mugabe

The Telegraph (UK) ^ | 12-11-2003 | Fiona Fleck/Anton La Guardia

[blam]

Internet a tool of British imperialism, says Mugabe

By Fiona Fleck and Anton La Guardia
(Filed: 11/12/2003)

President Robert Mugabe's anti-British diatribes rose to new extremes yesterday when he declared that Britain was using the internet to destroy Zimbabwe and recolonise the Third World.

Making his first public appearance since withdrawing from the Commonwealth three days ago, Mr Mugabe used a United Nations conference on information technology to deliver his attack.

Mugabe addresses the UN information summit

Many delegates at the summit in Geneva hailed a new era of free access to information. But Mr Mugabe saw the internet as pernicious.

"Beneath the rhetoric of free press and transparency is the iniquity of hegemony," he said.

He controls all broadcasting in his country and in September closed the Daily News, the only independent daily newspaper.

He said information technology was dominated "by a few countries in the selfish interests of those countries which are in quest of global dominance and hegemony".

He singled out Britain, the United States and Australia for using their information technology superiority to "challenge our sovereignty through hostile and malicious broadcasts calculated to foment instability and destroy the state through divisions".

Mr Mugabe told the conference that the internet and computer revolution were "spin-offs of the same industry that allows once again for the conquest of our societies . . . the same platforms used for high-tech espionage".

New technology provides one of the few channels of information still open to his opponents.

During the failed referendum campaign to approve a new constitution enlarging his powers in February 2000, critics distributed a highly effective mobile phone text message declaring: "No Fuel. No Jobs. Vote No."

The opposition Movement for Democratic Change and Zimbabwean human rights groups have made extensive use of e-mail.

Zimbabwe's withdrawal from the Commonwealth provoked a bitter session in the Harare parliament yesterday.

The foreign minister, Stan Mudenge, said the Commonwealth was dominated by white "racist bullies" and the ruling party whip, Rabson Gumbo, called on Zimbabwe to sever diplomatic relations with Britain.

[GeronL]

He singled out Britain, the United States and Australia for using their information technology superiority to "challenge our sovereignty through hostile and malicious broadcasts calculated to foment instability and destroy the state through divisions".

and if I were as rich as Bill gates I'd be doing that too, but I might also be giving money and weapons to the opposition.

[Billthedrill]

Well, if he's correct, every time I hit the "Post" button just a little bit of him dies.

Take that, you murdering sod!

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Double post, for greater effect! :)

[Blackyce]

I didnt know Al Gore was BRITISH!!!
Maybe his dull demeanor was really dry wit all along.

[GeronL]

Nah, that was just Grey Poop-on, in his Depends

=o)

[Unam Sanctam]

Sic semper tyrannus

[elli1]

How does this idiot manage to stay alive?

[Oztrich Boy]

How can the "internet be a tool of British imperialism

Mugabe's new friend, Lyndon LaRouche, explained it to him

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Bump!

[Jimmy Valentine]

Is'nt it about time to turn out this clown's lights? He sounds more light Idi Amin every day.

Regards,

[MARETHLINE]

Since us Brits invented the World Wide Web, Mugabe is'nt far wrong although I think he is mad to think we want to reclaim our colonies. Well I do I don't know about anyone else we have our commonwealth which is our pretend colonies! I think we should do a regime change in Zimbabwe and reclaim it as our own again!!

[Pagey]

He singled out Britain, the United States and Australia for using their information technology superiority to "challenge our sovereignty through hostile and malicious broadcasts calculated to foment instability and destroy the state through divisions".

Gee Mr. Mugabe, You sure have a high opinion of your country,don't you? If I may be so bold, I'd venture to say that neither the British or the American Gov'ts really could really give a good G.D. about your sorry excuse for a country.Zimbabwe. LMAO! Have you contributed any of your countries resources to the War on Terrorism Mr. Mugabe? No? Then kindly just step aside now, won't you?

[Poohbah]

Well, if he's correct, every time I hit the "Post" button just a little bit of him dies.

Take that, you murdering sod!

Hey, maybe a post to a bunch of people will REALLY put a hurtin' on him.

On target, FIRE FOR EFFECT!