The author, Comfort Ero, has distilled a large part of the requirements for Zimbabwe to go forward in a simple, well thought out piece. For instance, the inclusion of women and minorities in the shaping of a New Zimbabwe is of absolute critical importance. The author also touches on a subject which is glossed over by most, and yet is paramount to the healing of this once great nation : “Blanket amnesties for human rights abusers…should never be allowed or find a space on the negotiating table”. Ergo sum, they may run, but they can not hide. The one time magnificent Mugabe has turned murderer, and should be tried as such. The leaders of the Zanu PF, once deliverers, have turned charlatans and rogues, and should be tired as such. Those who lead the “war veterans” are now nothing more than the lowest of sycophantic sadists, and should be tired as such. Robert Gabriel Mugabe may think he will buried as a hero, yet in the end, his may be the only grave on the planet where it is not only permissible, but expected, to …

NONSENSE!!! To use the USA and the EC as examples ... non of your suggestions are taken into account. There are hundreds of civil organisations in those countries in ezistence in these countries and no politician is governed by them ..eg Amnesty international, Oxfarm and others do not get involed in English affatirs . It goes without saying that they interfere and meddle in the affairs of African governments. This patronising stance should STOP if any progress in to be achieved in all spheres of Zimbabwean life. LET GO OF ZIMBABWE. LEAVE ZIMBABWEANS TO SORT OUT THEIR OWN MESS ... His Wxcellence, RGM, the President said it very well. Unfortunately there are meddling non-africans (sorry for the negative perjorative)who are always throwing in the spanner into the works. Mwari komborerai vakuru vedu ... RGM, MT and AM

I think you may have misread something there aka, there was no mention of the USA or EC, simply a reference to Latin (South) America and Eastern Europe (the former nations of the USSR, some of which gained their independence recently).

You seem to be obsessed with the UK, USA and EC to the point where you even see references to it when they're not even there ..... which is quite worrying when you instantly dismiss any idea that comes from a source that you suspect has even the most distant of 'western' links.

Mugabe did indeed say it well, however he missed something out in that speech, and that is the fact that these 'spanners in the works' have RGM's very own fingerprints all over them.

Actually, l have a lot of American friends and l admire the American system of government. How l wish that the granting of independence to African countries in the 1960s was backed by a USA type constitutions, senate, congress etc etc. That type of government would have worked better in the African context. The short time l have been able to spend in the USA, has convinced me the in-built checks and balances enshrined in the American governance would have done a lot of good INSTEAD of the European model which is TOP-DOWN. The UK never had a written constitution and no bill of human rights in its system and yet she saw herself well placed to dish out judgemental consttutions to various african countries. No sir, it is the RACIST way the Anglo world is run that drives me mad. Even the Boers were victims of its tanticles. THINK

my response is to the article by akapfunde1. Please read the following bill which was passed in 2001, the first sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe. Now after review your comments and see if they a legit. We need to know how things worke instead of assuming you know how they work. If you do not know, whatever the media says, and politicans tell us, is not true.

107th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 494

To provide for a transition to democracy and to promote economic recovery in Zimbabwe.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

March 8, 2001 Mr. FRIST (for himself and Mr. FEINGOLD) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

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A BILL To provide for a transition to democracy and to promote economic recovery in Zimbabwe.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act of 2001'.

SEC. 2. STATEMENT OF POLICY.

It is the policy of the United States to support the people of Zimbabwe in their struggle to effect peaceful, democratic change, achieve broad-based and equitable economic growth, and restore the rule of law.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:

(1) INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS- The term `international financial institutions' means the multilateral development banks and the International Monetary Fund.

(2) MULTILATERAL DEVELOPMENT BANKS- The term `multilateral development banks' means the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the International Development Association, the International Finance Corporation, the Inter-American Development Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the Inter-American Investment Corporation, the African Development Bank, the African Development Fund, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the Multilateral Investment Guaranty Agency.

SEC. 4. SUPPORT FOR DEMOCRATIC TRANSITION AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY.

(a) FINDINGS- Congress makes the following findings:

(1) Through economic mismanagement, undemocratic practices, and the costly deployment of troops to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Government of Zimbabwe has rendered itself ineligible to participate in International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and International Monetary Fund programs, which would otherwise be providing substantial resources to assist in the recovery and modernization of Zimbabwe's economy. The people of Zimbabwe have thus been denied the economic and democratic benefits envisioned by the donors to such programs, including the United States.

(2) In September 1999 the IMF suspended its support under a `Stand By Arrangement', approved the previous month, for economic adjustment and reform in Zimbabwe.

(3) In October 1999, the International Development Association (in this section referred to as the `IDA') suspended all structural adjustment loans, credits, and guarantees to the Government of Zimbabwe.

(4) In May 2000, the IDA suspended all other new lending to the Government of Zimbabwe.

(5) In September 2000, the IDA suspended disbursement of funds for ongoing projects under previously-approved loans, credits, and guarantees to the Government of Zimbabwe. ------------------------------------------------------- Then in January 2008, 2 months before elections in Zimbabwe another extension of sanctions

January 30, 2008 HP-789

Treasury Expands Sanctions on Zimbabwean Companies and Individuals

The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced sanctions today against two Zimbabwean entities and two individuals that contribute to the undermining of democratic processes and institutions in Zimbabwe.

"The U.S. financial system is closed to Robert Mugabe, his cohorts and their businesses," said OFAC Director Adam J. Szubin. "Today's designations are part of an increased effort to pressure those who are aiding Mugabe's efforts to cripple Zimbabwe, including through violence and intimidation."

Today's designations include ZIDCO Holdings, a ZANU-PF financial holding company, as well as the ZANU-PF's publishing arm, Jongwe Printing and Publishing Company. Both ZIDCO Holdings and Jongwe Printing and Publishing Company are owned or controlled by key components of the Mugabe regime that have already been designated. Also named today are Happyton Bonyongwe and Leo Mugabe. Happyton Bonyongwe is the Director of Zimbabwe's Central Intelligence Organization (CIO), and is considered Zimbabwe's "spy chief." Leo Mugabe is a Member of the Zimbabwe Parliament and the nephew of Robert Mugabe.

These designations are made pursuant to Executive Order 13391, which authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to designate any individual or entity that: has engaged in actions or policies that undermine Zimbabwe's democratic processes or institutions; has materially assisted entities or individuals already designated by OFAC; is an immediate family member of an individual already designated pursuant to the Order; or, is owned or controlled by any entity or individual already designated pursuant to the Order. As a result of Treasury's designations, any assets of these individuals and entities that are within the United States or in the possession or control of any U.S. person must be blocked, and U.S. persons are prohibited from dealing with them.

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July 25, 2008 HP-1097

Treasury Designates Zimbabwean Parastatals and Companies Supporting the Mugabe Regime

Washington, DC--The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) today designated seventeen entities, including several Zimbabwean parastatals, and one individual whose support for Robert Mugabe's regime contributes to the undermining of democratic processes and institutions in Zimbabwe.

"In light of the continued intransigence of the brutal Mugabe regime, the U.S. is imposing further sanctions against this regime and its supporters," said OFAC Director Adam J. Szubin. "These actions send a clear warning to those who would protect Mugabe and his assets at the expense of the Zimbabwean people."

Today's designations include a number of Zimbabwean parastatals and entities that are owned or controlled by the Government of Zimbabwe. Robert Mugabe, his senior officials, and regime cronies have used these entities to illegally siphon revenue and foreign exchange from the Zimbabwean people. Treasury's designations today include the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (a.k.a MMCZ), the sole marketing and export agent for all minerals, except gold and silver, mined in Zimbabwe; the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (a.k.a. ZMDC), involved in investment in the mining industry in Zimbabwe, and in planning, coordinating and implementing mining projects on behalf of the Government of Zimbabwe; the Zimbabwe Iron and Steel Company (a.k.a. ZISCO), Zimbabwe's largest steel works; the Agricultural Development Bank of Zimbabwe (a.k.a Agribank), a commercial bank owned by the Government of Zimbabwe; the Industrial Development Corporation of Zimbabwe Ltd, a state-owned enterprise that owns a large number of companies operating in the industrial sector, including the chemical, clothing and textiles, mineral processing, and motor and transport sectors; the Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe, a financing entity; Zimre Holdings Limited, an investment and reinsurance entity; ZB Financial Holdings Limited, a holding company for a group of companies involved in commercial and merchant banking; and 4 major subsidiaries of ZB Financial Holdings Limited: ZB Bank Limited (a.k.a Zimbank), ZB Holdings Limited, Intermarket Holdings Limited, and Scotfin Limited.

These are a direct attack on the recovery of the Zimbabwean economy. This has nothing to do with Mugabe, as Zimbabwean companies do not belong to Zanu-Pf Or Mugabe, but are the engine that drives the economy. So African Governments are not run on AID and Donations. Never forget the facts. Watch and learn that the Zimbabwean economy is bigger and stronger than the British or the American economies. The attack on Zimbabwe is serious and until you understand the war that is a hand is not all that clear to most Africans.

If the USA and the EC are to be taken seriously should realise that countries which are friends and share GOALS do have (a) a FREE or very easy movement of their people across their borders, eg usa and UK, the UK and Australia, Canada and New Zealand. (b) they maintain a dynamic flow of CAPITA between them, not controlled and managed by the IMF and other instruments of imperialism. (c)A free movements of goods across bordes. Unless this happens between the USA, the EC and the New Zimbabwe administration all the so called Aid assistance counts for little. Perhaps Zimbabwe may have a mixture of MINIMALIST policies and some left tendencies on the table of the new administration. ITAI varume. TONGA VARUME!!!

Are the talks taking place between the Zimbabwe Government and the two MDCs?

Who is the Government when tyrant Mugabe is holding on to power illegitimately? Tsvangirai does not recognize lunatic Mugabe as the country's President anyway. People believe that the talks are bewteen three parties while an eventual agreement should go to the people through a referundun. Hence the call for civilian representatives to be involved in order to infuse transparency in the talks.

Concerning the rights of victims to compensation, let's float the idea of the creation of a special fund whose resources should come mainly from proceeds from the sale of properties and wealth amassed illegally by murderer Mugabe and his cronies. The state should only top up the fund in case of any shortfall against the overall claims.

Clearly you do not care whether there is restlessness in the land between the two great rivers, Gt Zimbabwe. All you want is trouble and conflict in the midst of Zimbabwe. Yes, mess there is but PEACE should be maintained at all costs. You seem to imply that, unless events go the way you are saying, no movement forward should be entertained at all. Clearly you talk like a rhodie baasi. GOOD LUCKY with your irrelevant patronising position.

Hello Aha!

Let's dintinguish between fundamental basic rights and a process to bring freedom, justice and democracy.

Fundamental basic rights, amongst other things, like your right to cast your vote secretly in free and fair elections, is something that is for immediate implementation. This calls for kicking away all those behind the relevant institutions who have made a mockery of the system. There is nothing to bargain about them.

About the process, it will have to be multi-staged. What's wrong in the call for involving the civilian society in the talks? What's wrong for pointing out the journalist wrongly referred to talks between the governemnt and the two MDCs. What talks can one have with an illegitimate President? You call my position as something to cause restlessness! It's Murderous Mugabe and his cronies who are causing restlessness, but you close your eyes! That's waht is the most dangerous and cowardish act that undermines all efforts under way to move towards peace. Thanks you agree there is mess around, but what mess? A mess that makes the heart of most Zimbabweans to bleed profusely. Why don't you once for all pledge that you will contribute to end an illegitimate reign and help build a process that will prevent the return of a dictator and mass suffering? The CSOs are just demanding that. And I am just lending support to their voice and helping to raise awareness beyond the frontiers of your country. I don't care a hoot about your naive accusations against me as long as I am amplifying the desperate cries of the silent majority of the Zimbabweans.

It's not too late for you as well to abandon the sinking ship of the tyrant Mugabe as long as you have not yourself indulged actively in assassination, maiming, rape and corruption.