I am not entirely sure that I follow the reasoning that the police - especially in Zimbabwe - are going to be telling the truth whilst the Opposition and the Western media are not.

It has taken some us of a long time to accept that Mugabe is a brutal dictator for whom the only thing that matters is staying in power. There is clearly some way to go.

Paul,

Please explain why a brutal dictator has been holding elections at all.

Please explain why a brutal dictator has not permanently jailed or killed his main opponent?

The extent to which people believe the propaganda and gobbledygook on Zimbabwe is amazing. If the white left are fool enough to believe any of this, perhaps they should keep their ignorant, racist nose out of Zimbabwe.

Simon, black British
 http://www.sadc.int/news/news_details.php?news_id=227
Communique from the 2007 Extra-Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government Held in Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania 28th to 29th March 2007

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Communique from the 2001 Summit of the SADC Task Force on Developments in Zimbabwe

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2. The members of the Task Force present at the Summit were:

Botswana: H.E. President Festus G. Mogae

Malawi: H.E. President Bakili Muluzi

Mozambique: H.E. President Joaquim Chissano

Namibia: H.E. President Sam Nujoma

South Africa: H.E President Thabo Mbeki

Zimbabwe: H.E. President Robert G. Mugabe


3. The Angolan Head of State was represented by: Hon. Kundi Paihama, Minister of Defence

4. Also in attendance were Ministers and Senior officials from the above-mentioned member States, the Executive Secretary of SADC, Dr Prega Ramsamy as well as Senior officials and representatives of a broad spectrum of Zimbabwean stakeholders.

5. In his remarks to the plenary session, which was attended by all invited Stakeholders, the SADC Chairperson, H.E. Dr Bakili Muluzi, President of the Republic of Malawi, emphasised the need for equitable land distribution and SADC’s support for Zimbabwe’s Land Reform and Resettlement Program. Noting that land is at the centre of human dignity and political power, President Muluzi stressed the need for all Zimbabweans to work together in a spirit of give and take, mutual trust and openness. He also emphasised the importance of dialogue among all Zimbabweans based on patriotism and selflessness.

6. The SADC Chairperson further noted that the Summit was a historic event that afforded SADC leaders an opportunity to hear the views of all key stakeholders on the land question in Zimbabwe which is central to the socio-economic stability and well-being of the country.

7. Summit received a briefing from His Excellency, President Mugabe on progress in implementing the Land Reform and Resettlement Programme. He reiterated his government’s commitment to equitable and socially just access to land in order to promote sustainable and efficient use and management of land in Zimbabwe. President Mugabe indicated that the Land Reform and Resettlement Programme is being handled in accordance with the rule of law as enshrined in the Constitution and Laws of Zimbabwe. He further indicated the measures taken by the Government of Zimbabwe to avoid a recurrence of incidents of violence.

8. Summit also received a briefing from Hon. Sule Lamido, the Foreign Minister of Nigeria on the outcome of the Abuja Initiative and welcomed and supported the conclusions of the Abuja Initiative. Summit also welcomed the decision by the United Kingdom to provide a significant financial contribution to the Zimbabwe land reform programme and its undertaking to encourage other international donors to do the same. Summit urged the parties to start the process of implementation without delay. Summit further welcomed the commitment by Zimbabwe at the meeting in Abuja to undertake its Land reform and Resettlement Programme in accordance with its laws, ensuring that a stop is put to any further farm occupations; that it would facilitate the de-listing of farms which do not meet set criteria; that for farms that are not designated, occupiers would be moved to legally acquired land; that discussions with the UNDP will be accelerated, with a view to reaching agreement as quickly as possible; and the commitment of the government of Zimbabwe to continue to exert all efforts to ensure that land reform is carried out in accordance with the laws of Zimbabwe.

9. Summit received a letter from the UN Secretary General, Mr Kofi Annan, reaffirming the commitment of the UNDP to work with the Government of Zimbabwe in the implementation of the Land Reform and Resettlement Programme. Summit welcomed this reaffirmation and emphasised the need to seize this opportunity and move fast to ensure that an agreement is reached between the two parties as a matter of urgency.

10. Summit received presentations from the following stakeholders:

Council of Chiefs
Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans’ Association
Zimbabwe Farmers’ Union
Zimbabwe Joint Resettlement Initiative
Commercial Farmers’ Union
Indigenous Commercial Farmers’ Union
Inyika Trust on Land
Women and Land Group
Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Unions
Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions
Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce
Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries
Employers Confederation of Zimbabwe
Affirmative Action Group
Zimbabwe Chamber of Mines
Zimbabwe Council of Churches
Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference
Zimbabwe Muslim Youth Organisation
Indigenous Business Development Centre
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC)
Zimbabwe African National Union (Ndonga)
Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU-PF)
11. In their presentations, the stakeholders were unanimous on the need for equitable land re-distribution and pledged their support for the acquisition and distribution of land under the Land Reform and Resettlement Programme. They emphasised the need for national dialogue in order to find a speedy and sustainable solution to the land question in Zimbabwe. The Stakeholders also called for the institution of confidence building measures among all stakeholders to ensure their commitment and support to the Land Reform and Resettlement Programme. They expressed appreciation for the support SADC has given to Zimbabwe’s Land Reform and Resettlement Programme and called upon SADC leaders to continue assisting in that endeavour. Summit appealed for technical, financial and extension service support to the settlers to facilitate productive land use.

12. Summit welcomed as a step in the right direction, the Zimbabwe Joint Resettlement Initiative by commercial farmers and government to provide land for the resettlement programme with support from the private sector. The Zimbabwe Joint Resettlement Initiative aims at speeding up the delivery of land for resettlement through the withdrawal of legal contestations.

13. Summit adopted the combined presentation from the Zimbabwe Council of Churches, the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference and the Faith for the Nation campaign.

14. Summit expressed concern at the projection of a negative image of Zimbabwe which has had adverse effects on the economy of Zimbabwe and consequently the economy of the region. Summit appealed to the international community to be objective in their portrayal of events in Zimbabwe. Summit encouraged Zimbabwe to find ways and means of countering this negative perception in order to win support for land issue and bring about a turnaround in the economy. Summit accordingly, stressed the need for all Zimbabweans to work together in an atmosphere of mutual trust and confidence.

15. The Summit noted with appreciation the renewed commitment by the Government of Zimbabwe and the stakeholders to intensify consultations aimed at confidence building and finding lasting solutions to the land issue, economic problems and other issues of national concern.

16. Summit also noted with appreciation the willingness of the political parties to establish a Multi Party Parliamentary Committee to discuss these issues on a continuous basis, within the context of the democratic tradition of the country.

17. Summit encouraged the Government of Zimbabwe and Britain to engage in continuous dialogue.

18. Summit agreed to establish a Ministerial Task Force to proactively continue the initiative. Summit directed this Task Force to meet as soon as possible.

19. Summit thanked the Government and people of Zimbabwe for their warm hospitality and the representatives of the invited stakeholders for their contributions.

'I am not entirely sure that I follow the reasoning that the police - especially in Zimbabwe - are going to be telling the truth whilst the Opposition and the Western media are not.

It has taken some us of a long time to accept that Mugabe is a brutal dictator for whom the only thing that matters is staying in power. There is clearly some way to go. '

The western media is on a demonisation campaign, as it is against Castro and Chavez....

The only thing brutal is your twisting of the facts.

Try Rob Gowlands article, where Casto shows his support for Mugabe adn Zimbabwe.He knows a real revolutionary under threat.

 http://www.cpa.org.au/booklets/zimbabwe.pdf

Latest report from Human Rights Watch about situation in Zimbabwe details at least 36 politically motivated deaths of MDC activists and supporters and 2,000 victims of violence since the March 29 elections.


 http://www.hrw.org/doc/?t=africa

“Bullets for Each of You”
State-Sponsored Violence since Zimbabwe’s March 29 Elections

This 69-page report documents numerous incidents of abductions, beatings, torture, and killings by officials and supporters of the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union–Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF), the armed forces and police, “war veterans,” and youth militia against MDC activists and perceived MDC supporters. Human Rights Watch has confirmed at least 36 politically motivated deaths and 2,000 victims of violence. The report also examines the Zimbabwean government’s role in perpetrating and inciting the violence for political gain, and its failure to end the violence and prosecute those responsible. Human Rights Watch researchers conducted more than 70 interviews with victims and eyewitnesses to the violence since March in all 10 provinces of Zimbabwe.

'Latest report from Human Rights Watch about situation in Zimbabwe details at least 36 politically motivated deaths of MDC activists and supporters and 2,000 victims of violence since the March 29 elections.'

Human Rights Watch is funded by George Soros who also funds the opposition in Zimbabwe. How come these Western NGOs make no mention whatsoever of MDC violence against other MDC supporters? Even MPs have said that MDC thugs have dressed up as police officer and attacked them? How come nothing is said about Zanu-PF supporters who have been attacked?

We have been told that that large numbers of police officers and army personnel are among those who support MDC - this was said repeatedly during the election. Yet, we're supposed to believe they are behaving in a criminal manner to support the brutal dictator Mugabe.

British colonial military commander, Frank Kitson, wrote the strategy of using gangs and counter-gangs. That is, when a genuine liberation movement is created, build your own and get them to carry out provocations and carry out atroscities that can be blamed on the genuine movement.

Is it gullibility? Or is it racism?

HRW is not what it seems. Did you know HRW has been attacking Venezuela and president Hugo Chavez for years?

here is Stephen Gowans on HRW and Zimbabwe:


'The documentation of violence against MDC supporters has been gathered by the US Embassy in Harare, which is hardly neutral and has an interest in discrediting Zanu-PF to bring its favored vehicle, the MDC, to power. Human Rights Watch (HRW), which is dominated by former members of the US foreign policy establishment, has also been involved. But even HRW acknowledges the violence isn’t exclusive to supporters of Zanu-PF. “Eyewitnesses told Human Rights Watch that…MDC supporters had burned homes of known Zanu-PF supporters and officials.” [12] Louise Arbour, the UN’s top human rights official, who, in previous jobs has invariably sided with the US and Britain, notes that the information she has “received suggests an emerging pattern of political violence” that is not exclusively inflicted by supporters of Zanu-PF. [13] Kingsley Mamabolo, a senior South African official who led the region’s observer team for the March 29 elections agrees that violence is “taking place on both sides,” as do human rights and doctors groups in Harare, most of which have Western sources of funding. [14] Paul Themba Nyathi, a civil rights lawyer and MDC member, says that “Tsvangirai’s followers seem to be saying to themselves that they can win elections by beating people and by using the crudest methods of intimidation.” This has largely escaped the attention of the media, he adds, “because the big prize is still to rid the country of Mugabe.” [15] Police arrested 58 opposition activists on May 9 on suspicion of setting fire to the homes of Zanu-PF members. On May 14, they arrested 50 Zanu-PF activists.

While Mugabe is often portrayed as a monster egging on thugs to beat opposition supporters (whereas we’ll see below, it is opposition leaders who have egged on their followers to use violence), he has spoken out against violence. On May 17, he told the country that “Such violence is needless and must stop forthwith.” He added that “support comes from persuasion, not from pugilism. Genuine support for the party cannot come through coercion or violence.” [16] At the same time, Zanu-PF has proposed a joint Zanu-PF-MDC committee to investigate political violence. Zanu-PF representative Patrick Chinamasa invited the MDC-T to form a joint team “to investigate violence so that we do not end up with false allegations.” MDC-T spokesman Nelson Chamisa voiced no objection, “as long as there was commitment among the parties.” [17]
 http://gowans.wordpress.com/2008/05/20/zimbabwe%e2%80%99s-political-opposition-deploys-its-own-wmd-claim/