Posted on 03/28/2005 12:16:25 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - For years, South African President Thabo Mbeki's approach on the growing autocracy in Zimbabwe has been to use "quiet diplomacy" - supporting President Robert Mugabe in public, cajoling him in private. This used to satisfy the United States.
But that's begun to change. President Bush is newly set on "ending tyranny in our world"; his team calls Zimbabwe one of six "outposts of tyranny." Mr. Bush's ambassador to South Africa, Jendayi Frazer, hinted in a speech last month that Zimbabwe's crisis threatens US support for the region. If African organizations are "not seen to act forcefully against tyranny," she said, "it is going to be a problem in terms of trying to build international support and resources."
Now Zimbabwe holds parliamentary elections Thursday. Critics expect they'll be flawed, like the 2000 vote in which Mr. Mugabe was reelected. If so, they may cloud Mr. Mbeki's vision for an "African renaissance" that would bring in billions in Western aid dollars in exchange for stronger democracy and better governance.
"If Mbeki cares" how his plans are perceived by the world's wealthy nations, "he's in trouble" over Zimbabwe, says Tom Lodge, a political scientist at University of the Witwatersrand here.
As African crises go, Zimbabwe's is not the most dramatic. Some 4.8 million of its 12 million people may be on the verge of hunger, according to the Famine Early Warning System Network. But its masses aren't suffering like those in Africa's two biggest conflict zones: Some 180,000 people have died in Sudan's Darfur region since 2003, according to the UN; and 3.2 million have died since 1999 in Congo, according to an estimate by the International Rescue Committee.
But Zimbabwe's recent crackdown on press and political freedoms make it a crucial barometer of how hard African leaders are willing to push their comrades to improve leadership.
Western nations, especially the US, are increasingly tying aid to good governance. Madagascar, an island off Africa, this month became the first nation to get money - $110 million - under Bush's Millennium Challenge Account. It rewards countries for financial accountability, economic reform, and democracy.
One indicator to watch this week is the response to the elections by the 14-nation Southern African Development Community (SADC). Earlier this month, Mbeki told reporters: "I have no reason to think that anybody in Zimbabwe will militate in a way so that the elections will not be free and fair," putting implicit pressure on the SADC to validate the vote. If the SADC and the African Union, a new United Nations of Africa, both declare the elections free and fair - amid evidence to the contrary - it could compromise the groups in the eyes of Western nations.
But the West's concerns aren't the only thing on Mbeki's mind. The issue of land looms large. Ever since colonial days, most good land in southern Africa has been in the hands of whites. Starting in 2000, Mugabe let supporters snatch thousands of white-owned farms. It caused social upheaval that led to inflation of 600 percent and millions of Zimbabweans - black and white - fleeing.
Mbeki faces land pressure of his own. South Africa's Landless People's Movement aims to "take back" land owned by 60,000 white farmers. And Mugabe is popular with many in Mbeki's party for taking a bold stand on land. In fact, Mugabe's policies may be one reason he came in third in last year's poll by New African magazine of the "100 Greatest Africans." Nelson Mandela was first; Mbeki, eighth.
Mbeki, Bush's declared "point man" on Zimbabwe, has options for dealing forcefully with its northern neighbor. He could turn off Zimbabwe's electricity supply, which comes from South Africa. But doing that risks a meltdown that could spill over into South Africa. "South Africa isn't prepared to have another failed African state on its doorstep," says Peter Kagwanja of The International Crisis Group in Pretoria. "South Africans will tell you they had to choose between anarchy and totalitarianism" in Zimbabwe.
But now, Mr. Kagwanja says, with Mugabe's land-reform mostly over and the return of relative stability, "the challenge for Mbeki is to dismantle the totalitarian order" that came about partly because of his support.
I don't know if my ping list is up to date.
Thank you for pinging your list.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/01/20050120-1.html
........Today, America speaks anew to the peoples of the world:
All who live in tyranny and hopelessness can know: the United States will not ignore your oppression, or excuse your oppressors. When you stand for your liberty, we will stand with you.
Democratic reformers facing repression, prison, or exile can know: America sees you for who you are: the future leaders of your free country.
The rulers of outlaw regimes can know that we still believe as Abraham Lincoln did: "Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves; and, under the rule of a just God, cannot long retain it."
The leaders of governments with long habits of control need to know: To serve your people you must learn to trust them. Start on this journey of progress and justice, and America will walk at your side.
And all the allies of the United States can know: we honor your friendship, we rely on your counsel, and we depend on your help. Division among free nations is a primary goal of freedom's enemies. The concerted effort of free nations to promote democracy is a prelude to our enemies' defeat. .... George W. Bush inaugural address - 2005
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They still use the "most good land" lie, but that shows the paucity of talent for investigation on the reporter's part.
And they left out the part of how now the bread basket of Africa has millions of starving people.
It wasn't good land at all. The colonists had the technology to deal with unproductive earth.
People starve while Mugabe builds big mansions for himself.
They're weak from hunger and disease and still many regard Mugabe with respect.
Education and freedom of the press are needed as much as food and medicine.
There's no freedom of the press so it's easy to fool the masses. Typical communist trick.
That is what I meant they took arid scrub and made something of it.
I was about to ask why this lie repeated but nevermind. I answered my own question *lol*
If we allow the UN to control the disbursement of funds, there will be no such way to so motivate a tyrant.
So very true.
The UN has no moral compass.
Interesting. As long as US troops aren't involved, Zimbabwe needs regime change.
What would be interesting would be Nmugabe realizing he has lost the election in a big way. How does he hold on to power Declare a National Emergency, ask the North Koreans or the Chinese military to come in to help maintain order. Hell this madman is still in power after 25 years. Damn Marxists, nothing but death and destruction.
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