Posted on 03/30/2005 8:04:19 PM PST by RWR8189
IT'S EASY TO SEE why Zimbabwe's Archbishop Pius Ncube calls for a "people power" uprising in his country. The parliamentary elections on Thursday have been rigged so comprehensively that it's unlikely President Robert Mugabe will be unseated no matter how much his 25 years in office have harmed his countrymen. At least 1 million of the 5.7 million names on Zimbabwe's voter rolls are thought to be fictitious; the ballot boxes are made of transparent plastic; the polling stations will be run by pro-Mugabe thugs from his security forces. The campaign, though less violent than some previously, has featured brutal intimidation. People have been told that districts that support the opposition will be denied food distributions, a potent threat in a country where one-third of the population is on the verge of hunger. The main opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, has been forced to defend himself against treason charges, and recently more than 200 of his supporters were arrested after attending his rallies. "I hope that people get so disillusioned that they really organize against the government and kick him out by a nonviolent, popular, mass uprising," Archbishop Ncube told a South African newspaper over the weekend.
If brave Zimbabweans can be that outspoken, the question is why other African leaders are not. South Africa's president, Thabo Mbeki, has talked grandly of a new African determination to create fairer and more honest government, and this determination is cited by Africa boosters who want rich countries to come up with extra aid. Zimbabwe is a model not only of bad government but also of its consequences: Over the past five years, the economy has contracted by a third; inflation has hit three digits; and some 3 million Zimbabweans have emigrated in search of work. Yet Mr. Mbeki refuses to criticize Mr. Mugabe
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Quick, Jimmy Carter loves dictators. He runs an outfit that puts blessings on rigged elections. Get him over to Zimbabwe to smile like a demented Osmond, and pretend there's no problem that one of Africa's most prosperous nations has now become a charnal house of starvation and death.
Did I miss anything?
Congressman Billybob
Colonialism doesn't look so bad when you see what Mugabe has done.
---Let's see what we have. Mugabe is a lying, thieving, murdering mass of corruption. He is conducting a rigged election this week.---
And we have a winner! Mugabe it is!
the choice is between a monkey and a human being.
I hope they vote Human
Mugabe has moved to limit criticism and has instituted some electoral reforms that most independent observers have dismissed as too little too late. Former President Jimmy Carter, whose Atlanta-based Carter Center monitors elections around the world, told reporters during Mozambique's polls in December that the center could not observe votes in Zimbabwe. "Zimbabwe is a disgrace," said Carter, referring to the country's electoral system. "Mugabe declared that the Carter Center is a terrorist organization and asked us to leave."http://www.lufkindailynews.com/local/content/shared-gen/ap/Africa/Observing_Zimbabwe.html;COXnetJSessionIDbuild68=CLUtgM1lDDuztYqaqcAZMe0YJg2r6gKiI2qh4IwrVVMCPqJep5b1!690786729?urac=n&urvf=11122495811460.1390276896174527
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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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