Once again an, "OPINION" article with no mention of nature of the sanctions we hear so much about. Surely it wouldn't be too much to ask for the professional, "journalist" to mention what the sacntions actually are.

Or is he having as much trouble finding any information on sanctions as I am............because there aren't any?

Mugabe should be sanctioned with what he has, personal travel and banking sanctions. His is a rogue regime equal to Burma and no civilised person or country should countenace them. The author should also remember the largest donors to Zimbabwe are the US and UK, it is Mugabe who has stopped all food ans medical aid, so one has to ask who is hurting whom. Tvangorai for being pro personal sanctions that hurt the ruling elite or Mugabe that has imposed sanctions on his own people. The question of financial sanctions are not in question as Zimbabwe (under Mugabe) has not paid his debts to various institutions that they have loans with. Regarding investment, who in their right mind would invest when the government is tring to nationalise everything. Both Burma nad Zimbabwe would receive substantial investment if they had stable rational goverments in charge.

Glyph, You and other anglos and Rhodes (And you know what I mean) have developed a very convenient phobia for the words "sanctions on Zimbabwe". You know and I know that Zimbabwe is under economic sanctions. There is also a USA law passed in congress last year authorizing sanctions on Zimbabwe. Most Africans (not anglos or Rhodes)know there are sanctions and you can talk all you want. You should not be surprised why a lot of us do not trust you. You continually want to deny a fact and continue to engage in you hypocrisy and propaganda. You claim you are a lawyer, and if so, you should be disbarred for your continued lies!!! Remember the time of Lobenguala is gone....no more anglo white dirty tricks.

Can you tell me the name of the law that was passed Phiri I would be grateful.

Why on earth would the Law Society sanction me for expressing the facts as I see them? Where do you think I live? Zimbabwe?

Glyph, I did not think you lived in Zimbabwe! Lucky you! I can see that you have all the time in the world to counter every article on this website your do not agree with, especially with respect to Zimbabwe. Since you are a brilliant lawyer, you can research what the US Senate and congress passed. The UK itself has enacted measures to block Zimbabwe from getting any loans from the UK and continues to advocate such a policy at the IMF. This is not new either and you know that.

I'm at a loss, phiri I'm trying to find any legislation relating to sanctions passed in the US congress last year imposing sanctions on Zimbabwe or even the UK. I have tried all of the best legal databases, HeinOnline, LexisNexis, Westlaw, and yet I cannot seem to find anything when I use the keywords "Zimbabwe" and "sanctions".

Can you tell me why that is?

And dont forget China and South Africa. They didnt give Zim Loans either. And it doesnt look like Zambia will now either.

Have you noticed how much the noise about a "western monetary lending conspiracy" has died down since China and SA refused to lend Zim money? What do you have to say now Phiri and the rest of you? Has it finally dawned on you that financial institutions don't want to lend money to those who squander it and never pay it back?

Why should Glyph research these things Phiri? How about you do some research for a change! Show us evidence of something, ANYTHING, to back up the rubbish you write here. I don't think I've ever seen you post a single verifiable fact on this board.

This Munhumutapa person is yet another brain-washed prophet of doom. What are these sanctions that are 'intended to kill some to save some' That statement alone reveals the ignorance of all these nincompoops out there. Are sanctions a disease of some kind? If so how many people have been infected with them in Zimbabwe? Apart from Mugabe's frozen assets and his restrictions to travel abroad, PLEASE can someone innumerate these sanctions against Zimbabwe, not what has been said by so and so, but the EXACT ones that have been slapped, one by one. Phiri please why don't you tell us? I want to know all the types of goods or any other commodities or whatever, that the USA and Britain are sanctioning Zimbabwe with. I will be waiting with abated breath. This person also goes to blame the Western countries for starving Zimbabweans as a weapon to prop a government by stopping food supplies. Who did that? Mugabe stopped the food, and HE is using hunger as a weapon to starve those who do not vote for him and every one knows that. The morons just continue lapping up this slop.

Kjrs120, It is so obvious that you role is to continue to deny sanctions exists on Zimbabwe. Many anglos like you deny this and I think you think that we are dumb and don't know what is going on...you are damn right wrong about this...No wonder, your kind is never consulted on African affairs. Your role is to objective on the internet as many times as you can. I'm sure wikipedia would love your comments, since white minority Rhodesia have hijacked the website!

Phiri, people here have asked you numerous times to mention what indeed these sanctions are, yet everytime you avoid it and say we are denying these sanctions. Why dont you tell us exactly what sanctions you are talking about? I'll tell you why.. because their arent any. We're not denying sanctions because they dont exist in the first place. You said yourself that Mugabe is very quick to point the finger of blame at people, dont you think this could be a case of trying to blame someone else for the problems of his country?

Wikipedia has been hijacked? Oh no! 7Million articles in over 200 languages all written by Rhodesians, I bet they dont get out much.

Bwahaha, Phiri has surpassed himself. His delusions are becoming even more crazy than those of the Herald reporters!

Sanctions are a coercive measure adopted usually by several nations acting together against a nation. Zimbabwe had seen such action from Britain, the EU and USA directed towards the muzzling of its economy.

Firstly, Zimbabwe has about 1/3 of its foreign currency business generation anchored in tourism. Britain then influenced the EU and USA to ban tourists from traveling to Zimbabwe. The country, through the tabloids and tourism marketing business was flagged as a high risk tourist destination for more than eight years now. Foreign currency generation though the tourism sector reached its high time low up till east Asian countries started to flock in. However tourism business had its traditional visitors from EU and USA. These sanctions become illegal because the ganging of more than one country to stifle yet another country’s economy needs approval from the UN.

Secondly, WB/IMF is supposed to do business independently of political gvts. In ’98 the balance of payment support was suspended for Zimbabwe making it difficult for the country to borrow or trade with the Breton Woods or any other country of the world through the institutions. Zimbabwe was confronted with the impossibility of having international credits for its required power and fuel energy to support its industry. Up to this day, Zimbabwe can not borrow from this institution for any of its requirements though the institutions are cutting debts of other poor nations that can not repay.

Thirdly, the Zimbabwe democracy bill of the USA give instructions to all board members of International finance institutions that have an American influence through its investments that they must note vote to advance any loan/credit/grant to Zimbabwe. America has investment interests in Africa Development Bank, Asia development bank, IFC, and all other international banks of the world that have the capability to advance business loans to Zimbabwe. All the international Finance institutions were created with the sole purpose of advancing development loans to countries of the world apolitically. The US being the super power of this skewed economic world exert political influence to punish small nations of varying opinions such as Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe has thus far been assisted by brother nations through batter trades.

Fourthly, Britain has also exerted pressure to weaker nation that would have traded with Zimbabwe including African nations. Benjamin Mkapa of Tanzania categorically expressed his disappointment through the AU that Britain was stifling the bilateral business and kept threatening Tanzania for engaging in business with Zimbabwe. Gaddafi was also personally approached by Blair while China received an emissary influencing this brother nation not to trade with Zimbabwe.

Fifthly, The EU, through British influence resolved to promote relocation to SA all strategic EU and American companies in Zimbabwe through capital injections. The remaining EU industries in Zimbabwe would under-invoice their processed goods to sister companies in SA and a minimal cost and later sell to the world from SA at market price. This under-invoicing business choked foreign currency earnings through our central bank of real product values. We call it externalisation.

Sixthly, Britain through its tabloids negatively marketed Zimbabwe as a country at war thereby stifling and demoralizing potential investors abroad. Zimbabwean products then lost market.

Seventhly, The British gvt at any opportunity would fight to have Zimbabwe discussed as a rogue nation through international groupings such as the United Nations, EU/AFRCA, AU, SADC, Commonwealth, etc so as to paint a gloomy picture that stifles investments.

Eighthly, the British and their American cousins have taken it upon themselves as militant opposition campaigners for regime change. Their embassies are a disgrace to international diplomatic responsibilities here. Their embassies have resorted to denigrating the state, encouraging internal business and political party activists to turn against their norm and cause despondency so as to prove that an African can not do it alone. We are now in a violent situation of a war thanks to their instigations.

It is unfortunate that the suffering of the Zimbabwean people today is not of their making but that of the erstwhile enemy that annexed, colonized and oppressed our people for a hundred years. Today the same ghost from the English establishment is far from leaving us as it seeks to continue controlling our destiny as God created nation through proxy establishments. It remains pathetic for those of us who still see the malevolence English establishment as our redeemer.

An afterthought:

Ninthly, The UN has been influenced not to give aid to Zimbabwe’s (humanitarian) health and education sector. Today it is being pushed to observe the election of a country it would not advance grants for AIDS, Malaria and other diseases as it does to other countries of the region and the world.

As of today(16th of June) I think Zimbabwe is going to feel some real sanctions in about 11 days. The blueprint for proposed sanctions has been published..........and looking at it I'm wondering what sanctions Zimbabwe is under now if these are all new measures? Oh that’s right NONE!

Hansard: 12 Jun 2008 : Column 444W

Zimbabwe: Sanctions

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what estimate he has made of the effect of economic sanctions on food and medicine distribution in Zimbabwe in 2007-08; and if he will make a statement. [209744]

Mr. Douglas Alexander: There were no UK or EU economic sanctions targeting Zimbabwe in 2007-08, nor are there any at present. There are EU targeted measures that impose a visa ban and asset freeze on President Mugabe and 130 named individuals. There is an EU embargo on selling arms to Zimbabwe. There are no other UK or EU sanctions on Zimbabwe. The UK Government do not wish to punish the people of Zimbabwe for the wrongdoings of the regime. In 2007-08, we provided £45 million of humanitarian assistance, including for essential medicines and food.

So there are no sanctions on the part of the British or the EU, Lying to Parliament is very very, VERY, BAD! It would be political death for Mr Alexander.

What are the newly proposed sanctions?

1. Widening of existing travel restrictions to include further relatives of named individuals involved in human rights abuse.

2. Children of Government Officials prevented from attending overseas schools.

3. Sequestration of assets and bank accounts of relatives of named individuals involved in human rights abuses.

4. Total trade embargo and economic blockade.

5. Action against western companies which maintain a presence in Zimbabwe.

6. A halt to all aid.

7. Increased pressure on African trading partners to suspend Zimbabwe from the SADC.

8. Encouraging China to halt support for the Mugabe regime(this has already been partially achieved as of Saturday 14th June when China agreed to cease all assistance unless humanitarian).

If these are all newly proposed measures can anyone tell me what the present sanctions are because these really cover all the bases.

When the lights go out in Harare(because you cant import electricity) you will finally be able to say openly and honestly and without reservation and we'll believe you, "Oh that'll be the sanctions" for the first time. Won't that be liberating? Well you won't have phone or internet so I guess you wont be able to tell us about it really.

Go on phiri, shame that racist rhodie glyph and the rest of us anglos(new one this) and supply us with the link on that bill passed by congress...I cant wait to read it. You keep bleating on about non existent sanctions and it is getting tiresome to say the least and if you cant come up with something more convincing other than convincing us you are off your head then please take a break and do some serious reading up on world events and come back a brighter person...you will feel good for the bit of education too..take it from this racist ex rhodie anglo paid western sell out!

Please remind us again who it was that recently suspended all food aid and charity work by evil white foreigners on the pretext that it was because they were campaigning for the MDC?? Up to now no charges have been brought against any of these worthy organisations. So the accusation that the UN has been influenced (you dont state by whom) not to give aid to zimbabwe is hollow mate. You are another one that needs to establish the facts instead of parroting the tripe the Herald passes off as truth!

Firstly the UK government cannot ban anyone from going anywhere tourist or other wise. The numerous posts on this site relating to white/English/European/American would not promote Zimbabwe as the friendliest destination for tourists, notwithstanding the garbage spouted by Sir Robert Mugabe KCB. Tourism in Zambia is up so I guess Zimbabwe’s loss is Zambia’s gain. Please cite the reference from the Foreign Office banning UK nationals from travelling to Zimbabwe on tourist visas or I will assume you made it up.

Secondly: In September 1999 the IMF suspended its support under a ‘‘Stand by Arrangement’’, approved the previous month, for economic adjustment and reform in Zimbabwe.

In October 1999, the International Development Association suspended all structural adjustment loans, credits, and guarantees to the Government of Zimbabwe.

In May 2000, the International Development Association suspended all other new lending to the Government of Zimbabwe.

In September 2000, the International Development Association suspended disbursement of funds for ongoing projects under previously-approved loans, credits, and guarantees to the Government of Zimbabwe.

All of these measures relate to reform and economic adjustment based on the principle that giving further monies to Zimbabwe would be throwing good money after bad based on the misuse of previous monies and accruement of arrears. The institutions mentioned stated that as soon as Zimbabwe instituted sound fiscal policy avenues for further lending would be reopened. This does not count as sanctions, it counts as sound lending.

Thirdly The Zimbabwe Development and Economic Recovery Act was enacted on the 21st September 2001. It is made clear by the Act that the conditions which led to the passing of this Act were created by the Mugabe regime, the continuing political oppression and financial mismanagement have made it impossible for Zimbabwe to be considered for international loans and assistance. As the US provides the bulk of these funds it cannot be said to be unreasonable that the US requires assurances that the money will be spent effectively by a legitimate regime.

Fourthly: if Britain exerts pressure to bring about the conditions necessary in Zimbabwe to reopen lending; I personally don’t see that as a bad thing and neither would any right thinking individual. Zimbabwe is not some giant economic powerhouse, and international diplomacy seems to be beyond it’s leadership so if some pressure is applied to 200 named individuals in terms of travel and access to unearned foreign currency then so be it. Lord Malloch Brown of the Foreign Office was told yesterday (14th June) by the Chinese that, “Chinese assistance to Zimbabwe was now limited to humanitarian assistance” only. So I guess the, “brother nation” has cut Zimbabwe off now too. I’m wondering how China is a brother nation?

Fifthly: If the European Union and Britain influenced the relocation of EU and American companies in anticipation of the indigenisation act which in effect steals 51.49% of a foreign owned company then that is sound fiscal management on their part and if the Zimbabwe government didn’t anticipate capital flight when it proposed the indigenisation Act then more fool it. If a, “sister company” sells something to a trading partner at a preferential rate then that’s just……….logical.

Sixthly: Britain’s tabloids are more interested in the name of Angelina Jolie’s latest offspring than the country of Zimbabwe. The UK tabloids for the most part are anti-immigration, anti foreign aid and don’t think for one second that the UK should bother with Zimbabwe. Given the choice between human rights abuses in Zimbabwe and celebrity bed-hopping Zimbabwe loses every time. If you think potential foreign investors read The Sun or The Mirror or the News of the World or any other UK tabloid you’re a little bit mistaken.

Seventhly: the British fought to have Zimbabwe discussed at the Security Council and it was vetoed by Russia and South Africa so it wasn’t discussed. Mbeki now freely admits that Zimbabwe is in meltdown, it’s not like he can avoid it without looking more stupid but he doesn’t want the United Nations to talk about it? How odd, mixed messages or what? Russia is Russia who knows what the hell they think.

Eighthly: You provide nothing to back up your assertion that US and UK embassies are a, “disgrace” to international diplomacy, the flagrant disregard for diplomatic immunity on the part of the Zimbabwean, “security” forces is a matter of record which was heard at the UN. Zimbabwe needs no help from anyone to denigrate itself , and investment in a country which will take over half of your business repels investors rather than encouraging them. The state of war which you now admit to has been seen many times before in dictatorships the world over it is called, “low intensity conflict” it is a war none the less and the people have been subjected to by the ZANU PF regime for a long time now. It is basically the selective application of forces for a short period and then those forces are restrained and unleashed again intermittently to enforce compliance with policy objectives of the body politic. What we have seen in Zimbabwe is classic, I’d put £100 on violence tailing off about a week before the run-off………if the run off isn’t cancelled for, “security reasons” and martial law declared.

I agree it is unfortunate for the good people of Zimbabwe that they have not been able to take advantage of the billions in hard currency which would have been available to them had the country been soundly managed. There are no sanctions on Zimbabwe but if as Mugabe likes to rant that there are sanctions then he needs only to look at the faces which sat around his cabinet table including his own to know who caused them. Mugabe has at last told the world that he will never cede power to another party even if it is democratically elected; I think we can safely say that Zimbabwe’s future is even more bleak if this situation continues. The basis of withholding credit from Zimbabwe has been undemocratic practices among other things; I think anyone who says they were wrong will now just look more foolish. The west doesn’t control Comrade Sir Robert Mugabes mouth, but he just keeps opening it and proving everything which the, so called, “sanctions” are based upon. The footage of his speech at the funeral where he refused to cede power to anyone is freely available online. The malevolence here is not with the international community but the paranoid rantings of a man who is prepared to kill to keep what he got by killing.

Ninthly(your afterthought): what is the point of providing aid when the aid organisations are not free to distribute aid? When UNICEF provided temporary shelter to the victims of, operation marumbatsvina the government rejected it and said they would prefer the cash instead of the supplies. The USaid which was stolen from a police compound and redistributed at a ZANU PF rally demonstrates that the aid is not in fact aid it is just something else which can be appropriated by a corrupt regime.

glyph, you wrote: Sixthly: Britain’s tabloids are more interested in the name of Angelina Jolie’s latest offspring than the country of Zimbabwe. The UK tabloids for the most part are anti-immigration, anti foreign aid and don’t think for one second that the UK should bother with Zimbabwe. Given the choice between human rights abuses in Zimbabwe and celebrity bed-hopping Zimbabwe loses every time. If you think potential foreign investors read The Sun or The Mirror or the News of the World or any other UK tabloid you’re a little bit mistaken: I loved this comment from your post not only because it is so accurate but also reflective of the british media's obsession. It is so refreshing to read a post from a well informed source...not the conjecture that some try to pass off as fact on here. Keep up challenging the infidels...LOL

I guess in your mind there are literally thousands of evil white tourists clamouring to visit zimbabwe to experience the hospitality of the "wovits" first hand but they have been dissuaded by the british and american media! But then, I thought zimbabwe did not need the evil west??? Man, you really have shallow reasoning. Who in their right mind would want to risk their lives at the hands of these uneducated thugs who attack anyone simply on the basis of the colour of their skin or if they happen to be black because they are not carrying a useless zanupf membership card!!!!

Turnex, you have a big anglomianiac mouth. You must be from the lower sewar of Rhodesian life. You obviously are a bitter white anglo!