And so it staggers on. Zimbabwe's decline has to be apparent to all of its neighbours - and yet they do nothing! If they're waiting for the West to sort it out, it'll be a long wait. Africa must learn to deal with its own tyrants, dictators and failures - and Mugabe is their first target!

1. Boy Wonder

You are correct when you say" If they're waiting for the West to sort it out, it'll be a long wait"
It will be even longer if its left to Africa, they are in no hurry to remove Mugabe because of their own human rights record, they will become the next target for campainers.
The only neighbours that have any effect on Mugabe
is Mbeki of South Africa ,he can sort him out over a weekend. but unlikely to happen as he is not going to be the first African (ex terrorist) to help remove a black human rights abuser(ex terrorist) his policy of
quiet Diplomacy, means "do nothing" the world will learn in time in is Mbeki that protects Mugabe.

I wonder how many Zimbabweans now pray for an Ian Smith look alike.

One of the most affluent countries in Africa now way beyond ruin. All trashed in less than 25 years. However they have their freedom though.

Lets hope the SNP are a little smarter. Ruin comes in many different forms.

#1
Seriously, what has it got to do with Zimbabwe's neighbours? What are they supposed to do-invade?
Are you seriously suggesting that Africa needs yet another war?

It is for the Zimbabweians themselves to sort this problem out. And who's to say they wont in the fullness of time?

A countrys' problems can't always be solved at a pace that is convenient to media consumers around the world.

#5 Ricardhino: It has plenty to do with neighbours. Because of Mugabe and his ape like governing skills, there is now 4 million ILLEGAL Zimbo's living in SA. Most dont have jobs so they turn to crime and set up squater camps on water ways.

There is plenty the neighbours could be doing, but then again, the neighbours are all African so the mindset is the same.

Things will always get worse in Africa

Oder

The reason African leaders are not standing against Mugabe is because the moment Mugabe introduced the agricultural reforms - the west severed all lines of credit. Zimbabwe has no foreign currency.This is why inflation sits at 4000%. Do you think Mugabe has suddenly forgotten to manage an economy that he managed successfully for 20 years? The West has imposed unilateral trade sanctions on Zimbabwe. They did the same thing to Kwame Nkrumahs Ghana in 1966 in order to topple him.And back then it worked. This is the reason why Mbeki will not criticise Mugabe.

"This is why inflation sits at 4000%. Do you think Mugabe has suddenly forgotten to manage an economy that he managed successfully for 20 years? The West has imposed unilateral trade sanctions on Zimbabwe."

Zimbabwe has hyperinflation because Mugabe is papering the country with currency.

Mugabe is 100% to blame for imposing Marxist-Leninist pig ignorance on the country.

You are merely parroting his party line, blaming all the country's problems on someone else.

1. Boy Wonder / 1:26am 6 Aug 2007

Dude If Zimbabwe was sitting on an ocean of oil Then our idiot Pres. Bush would be there with our troops.

No Oil ..No interest.

GC

#9 what on earth does this article have to do with George W. Bush?

#9 contd:

Bush would tell the American people .Our national instrest must be protected/ And in the past they have bought that corrupt statement from him.

Where ever there is oil our national interests lie according to Bush.

Except in Russia who can deliver a knock out Nuke blow if he messed with them.

GC

"Except in Russia who can deliver a knock out Nuke blow if he messed with them."

And what does this article have to do with Russia?

BTW, Putin makes Bush look decidedly liberal

Jethros flute - you forgot to mention the trade sanctions again didnt you !!

If all lines of credit to the UK were severed, what effect do you think that would have on the UK economy. No foreign exchange means increased inflation no matter where you live.

Once again - some would have us believe that Mugabe has simply forgotten the principles of economics.

With over 90% of Zimbabwes economy owned by western multinationals - and over 90% of productive land owned by non Zimbabweans, Mugabes agricultural reform posed a significant threat to the status quo not only oinZimbabwe but more importantly in South Africa.This is why the MDC receives 100% of its sponsorship from the West! I wonder how you would react if the UK liberal democrats received 100% of their funding from the USA!!

The fact remains - the Wests reaction to Mugabes policy was to impose unilateral trade sanctions. Suprise suprise - a fact that the balanced western media simply forgot to mention. Instead the line peddled was 'limited travel sanctions'.

7. Rods, London
Mugabe is to entirely to blame, the country has steadly declined since the start of his rule, a country that was the jewel of Africa, even Mugabe acknowledged it himself, as for his land theft he only went ahead with this when Britain refused to pay money to his goverment which he wished to
continue indefinately,you are under some false pretence if you think you can turn a country from a free market system to Mugabe communist state.
you should be aware history that it has failed in every country that has tried to adopt it.
if you read my post again only one neighbour is in any position to do anything Mbeki.

you said

The reason African leaders are not standing against Mugabe is because the moment Mugabe introduced the agricultural reforms - the west severed all lines of credit. Zimbabwe`s main crop for export is tobacco and is the main earner of foriegn currency,not credit from the west.

When he stole the land he destroyed the countrys ability to earn hard cash,but thats not his fault is it?
No its the white western banks, crediters, etc any body but Mugabe right!

now foriegn investors dont throw good money after bad, he wrecked Zimbabwe`s economy and why should anyone invest in a country
with his economic record which by the you think is good.
Ask any economist in any bank and they will tell you
economic policy (Mugabe`s policy ) is the problem.

nearly thirty years of Mugabe rule, and you want to blame some else, wake up!

you said

The fact remains - the Wests reaction to Mugabes policy was to impose unilateral trade sanctions. Suprise suprise - a fact that the balanced western media simply forgot to mention. Instead the line peddled was 'limited travel sanctions'.

No argument!

what ability does Ian Smith have that Mugabe does`nt? maybe good economic policy.

trade sanations were on Ian Smith`s goverment since U.D.I. and the country`s economic gro

"#13Jethros flute - you forgot to mention the trade sanctions again didnt you !!

If all lines of credit to the UK were severed, what effect do you think that would have on the UK economy. No foreign exchange means increased inflation no matter where you live."

You make me sick. Mugabe is 100% to blame for Zimbabwe's economic collapse.

"Once again - some would have us believe that Mugabe has simply forgotten the principles of economics. "

He is a Marxist-Leninist. That has caused economic disaster everywhere it has been tried.

"With over 90% of Zimbabwes economy owned by western multinationals - and over 90% of productive land owned by non Zimbabweans, Mugabes agricultural reform posed a significant threat to the status quo not only oinZimbabwe but more importantly in South Africa."

Mugabe's 'land reforms' are just organised looting.

Oder

You suggest that investors will not throw good money after bad ? Is that why Lonrho and falling over themselves to invest in excess of 100 of millions into Zimbabwe then? Hmmm ok. And the rest of them!! I guess they cant get enough of Mugabes incompetent mismanagement.lol

You talk about a steady decline over 30 years since Mugabe took power. Zimbabwe was a bed of roses and tobacco up until the late 90's. The West seemed happy to support and promote Zimbabwe until the dreaded reforms began. And then all of a sudden he became a communist ! Very good! Just like Stalin right! Have you ever heard him use that term? You sound like one of those mid west cold war witchhunters!

Yes Mugabe used the reform program as a mechanism to hold on to power.African leaders know this, we all know this and i never suggested otherwise. His reforms were designed to maintain ZanuPF control of Zimbabwe. The point i was making in my last post was that this myth that MDC equals democratic practice is disingenious. The MDC party has not been established to protect the best longterm interests of indigenous Zimbabweans.It is funded to protect western interests. Show me any country that spends its taxpayers money to ensure another countries citizens benefit from democratic practice!!

And I dont know where you got the idea that Ian Smith led the country through somekind of golden economic era despite of sanctions! If that was the case why did he conceed power, if life was so sweet?? Because sanctions brought him down to his knobbly knees thats why!

At the end of the day you go on about me attributing blame - to be honest with you, it seems to me that all the moaning and whinging is coming from your end . I was just stating fact. Sanctions equal inflation. You however, for all of your hot air, are yet to prove that the economic woes were caused by anything other than unilateral sanctions.

Now is the test of Zimbabwean patriotism.As for indigenous Zim

Itcy

1.You say that Mugabes land reforms were organised looting. Funny you should say that - i was saying just the same thing about Ian Smith just the other day.

2. Saying 'you make me sick' is not actually an argument. Its just a warning to get out of your way.

3. Explain to me which part of Marxist Leninist ideology involves Lonrhos private investment plan. I must have missed that chapter.

Rods, you are a liar, plain and simple.

The fact is that Mugabe has made war on the producers of Zimbabwe and you are here apologizing for him.

His tyranny has been well documented.

Mugabe is labelled a Communist because of his Marxist-Leninism.

My black Zimbabwean friend was the one who told me this btw.

"Sanctions equal inflation. You however, for all of your hot air, are yet to prove that the economic woes were caused by anything other than unilateral sanctions. "

BTW, this paper last week showed that Mugabe is papering the country with currency.

This excess currency is, by definition, inflation and this causes prices to soar. This is what happened in the great inflation of Weimar Germany.

I got the idea from being there at that time,suffice to say you have no idea about what your talking about,what will they invest in? farming he`s taking all the productive farms and given them to his mates` and now produce nothing! the backbone of the economy is farming.for the first time in history of Zimbabwe it has had to hold out the begging bowl.
the country that was the breadbasket of Africa now the basket case of Africa. and you believe its everyone fault except him.

you said
And I dont know where you got the idea that Ian Smith led the country through somekind of golden economic era despite of sanctions! If that was the case why did he conceed power, if life was so sweet?? Because sanctions brought him down to his knobbly knees thats why!

santions were applied in 1966 in 1980 when Zanu PF
became the goverment it was recongnised as one of the best in Africa and in Mugabe own words we have inheirted the jewel of Africa

santions did`nt bring him down, it was South Africa who insisted that he reach agreement with ZANU PF
and if you know about Southern Africa economic set up you will also know that everything imported in Zimbabwe goes through Beit Bridge on the SA/ZIMBABWE border.(and thats 100% of everything)
And for your information if Mbeki decided to take Mugabe down he can do it with out firing a shot all he has to do is close the border.

I say again it is Mbeki that keeps Mugabe in power.

and if there getting all this investment that you say is happening, the Zimbabweans can all go home and live in economic bliss, let me know when you see them lining up go.

Order,

Get your point but i bet the country would take Ian Smith back!

of course they would, the country boomed under Smith, its a pity that Zimbabwe has to suffer this tyrant who cares nothing for the great people of that country.

apologies for my typo`s

If there had been oil there President Bush would have been helping out long ago. The people of Saudi Arabia also greatly suffer from human rights and cruelty by their government which is Bush's great ally.

Glad to hear from #7 and others, that the total collapse of Zim is not that nice Mr Mugabe's fault, but that it's all down to evil white capitalists.

Oder

If you were serious, you would have looked up Lonrho's corporate information stats by now. Like i said 100 million. Do you think farming is the only industry in Zimbabwe? Just because you are ill informed does not make me wrong you know.

You can hark back to the good old days till your skin wrinkles but the bottom line is Smith is gone - and the land tenure situation in Zimbabwe has changed. I appreciate that he was your idol but the fact is he tried a hustle - just like any other common thief and posterity put pay to his ambitions of piracy. No staying power !

Of course Mbeki could ruin Zimbabwe. I never denied that he could. But for your information he will never do it. Zimbabweans and South Africans are the same blood Oder - you didnt know?

Itchy

You schoolboy arguments are exposing your inability to analyse basic information. E ++ (could do better).

If you think i am lying pull your finger out and research a little further than your daily newspaper.

#27 you are a troll.

You did not address Itchy's points at all and you are just talking rubbish

#28 Listen farm boy

All Itchy has told you is that Mugabe is printing money because that is what your notoriously unbiased media has told you to think. I cannot evidence this either way and more to the fact neither can you. That said even if it is true - which i cannot deny because i have no proof either way - yours and Itchys reasoning that this is the sole cause of inflation is predjudiced because as i have already stated many times the UK and USA have all but successfully lobbied for economic sanctions in the form of trade finance. As a result Zimbabwe has limited foreign exchange with which to purchase export commodities. Example - Zimbabwe cannot now meet its fuel requirements because of the lack of foreign exchange. Lack of fuel affects every sector of the economy from manufacturing to transportation. Can you now understand why shops have increased prices? Or do i need to write in brail? And if you want proof about the UK and USA's ILLEGAL trade sanctions go and read up on the Fourth Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva (13-30March) instead of quoting some half baked tabloid journalist.

You guys are just shooting from the hip on your high horses - but the fact remains you NEVER occupied the moral high ground so your whining is falling on deaf ears. I have never made any moral judgement regarding Mugabes behaviour because it is clearly not about morals - this is about POWER and the sooner you understand that the sooner you will graduate to manhood and get over it. Now go and do some work - you are boring me.

"29. Rods / 1:27pm 7 Aug 2007 #28 Listen farm boy

All Itchy has told you is that Mugabe is printing money because that is what your notoriously unbiased media has told you to think. I cannot evidence this either way and more to the fact neither can you."

http://news.scotsman.com/topics.cfm?tid=155&id=119545...

"With spectacular disregard for the rules of economics, Mr Mugabe has vowed to print even more money for underfunded municipal projects.

"Where money for projects has not been found, we will print it," the former guerrilla leader told town councillors on Friday, apparently ignoring the generally accepted view that printing money is a recipe for inflation. "

Here are the facts.

You are being a troll

"yours and Itchys reasoning that this is the sole cause of inflation "

BTW excess currency issue is, by definition, inflation.

Prices soar as a consequence of inflation.

26. Rods

you want both sides of the argument Zimbabwe`s economy is wrecked by the west with holding credit, on the other hand money is pouring into the country by the companies you name if thats the case who is lying stands to reason if money is pouring in the the economy is on the up.

you said

If you were serious, you would have looked up Lonrho's corporate information stats by now. Like i said 100 million. Do you think farming is the only industry in Zimbabwe? Just because you are ill informed does not make me wrong you know.

and if you know anything about Zimbabwe, the main cash earner is farming. a 100 million over a country
the size of Zimbabwe is chicken feed!

farminig 17% of Zimbabwe`s GDP. mining 7%
manufacturing 25% transport 5% construction 6%
various industries make up the rest these stats prior to Mugabe take over.
I call a spade a "spade" I have never called for the return of Ian Smith, however to deny that he did`nt` do a good job because its not politically correct or because he is white is to deny history not some thing I am not into, that is for an apologist like you

you said

I appreciate that he was your idol but the fact is he tried a hustle - just like any other common thief and posterity put pay to his ambitions of piracy. No staying power !

certainly I do have some respect for Smith, but not enough to make him an idol, you use the words hustle, thief,Piracy no staying, a totally adequate discription of Mugabe! I appreciate he`s your idol

Remember before he took over his expertise was killing people, and has continued to this day.
as a former Prime minister of New Zealand said
" when you`ve been running round the jungle killing people its a bit hard for you to understand how the diplomatic process works" Sir Robert Muldoon
25 years later Mugabe still has learnt that lesson.

Thanks for your history lesson on South Africa.