It looks like the Herald's editor and staff are going to spin reality for Zanu-PF's benefit until the bitter end when they get replaced. Zimbabwe IS a wreck, Mbeki has just this one achievement to bask in while back at home all is falling down around his ears and Mugabe's new-found legitimacy as President in the eyes of Botswana and the other African countries who refused to recognise him, is only because of the agreement just signed. Meanwhile the Herald conveniently forgets their own portrait of Tsvangerai in that surely the so-called 'Western Stooge' would have consulted his 'British and American masters' before signing anything and thus a) the details of the agreement will have known to them already and b) they would have given approval to go ahead and sign. Suddenly he's 'in the fold' and the West are overtaken by events and are 'unstuck' and 'defeated'. Ha ha. It's going to be fun to see in the next few days and weeks how much further they backtrack on Morgan and the MDC now that the Government that owns them includes these hitherto 'unpatriotic puppets of the West'.

Mabhiza please be a man enough to denounce evil.What Mugabe is doing is evil many people are dying of hunger;everyday we are geared for ques MUGABE please copy from Thabo Mbeki going peacefully 84yrs is not a joke please we beg u leave politics to young people who have strength and vision Its fun even on funeral be it at the birthday MUGABE wont leave his words [IWON U BRITAIN ]Every thing Britain Fearing to denounce corruption. To Mr TSVANGIRAI please redistrubute the land basing on productivity Farmers should produce

I WANT TO PUT FIDZO ON C.MABHUNU

Caesar Zvayi is the intellectual prostitute at the rotten service of lunatic Mugabe! He has not changed his language style in spite of the fact that a GNU is now in operation. he has the same empty slogans of the evil one-party rule. One-party rule had provoked untold damage to the human dignity by forcing every able person to stoop low to sing praise of murderers and corrupt leaders in order to survive.

Today, lunatic Mugabe is continuing to harrass the West on the illusionary belief that they want to grab Zimbabwe's mineral resources. He wants to continue to stand on their way. He talks of African solutions just to hoodwink people and play with their emotional sentiments. The illegal wealth he has amassed is more than enough to settle the land compensate issue but he is too greedy of the Yankee Dollar to redistribute it.

He must account to the public why over 4 millions of the 13 million pipulation had to run away from his terror. The successor of Tsvangirai will take care of this matter.

In the meantime, we know that Tsvangirai signed under duress. We pray that he gets enough broad support to tackle the rotten mess Mugabe has left him.

Civil society activists will have to continue to closely monitor the situation in Zimbabwe in case Mugabe thugs and cronies decide to undermine any genuine measures to redress the situation of the downtrodden, the unemployed, the orphans of Mugabe's victims, the displaced people and all those who suffered under the terror rule of Mugabe.

We will continue to be there to ensure that transparency and accountability become the yardstick by which good governance could be promoted.

Prem Rose!Mr.Tick, We need you in America really urgently.Can you Mr. Santa Claus come befor Christmas with some of those used Toys? Oweij Liebo Tarboro,North Carolina U.S.A.

Ceaser Zvayi wake up and smell the coffee. The only signicance of 12 September 2008 is that Zim has been freed from bondage of a dictator. MDC are not joining Zanu but its Zanu which is now joining the rest of the country in the progressive thinking. You are still warped in a revolutionary time frame. This is not about the colonisers but about black on black abuse.

Bab! There will always be White on Black. Until Jesus return's like a Tandem Hurrican , white folks won't get the message.Even their Half/Breeds they call them Blacks. You let him in, he put you out.That is why you must have the same type of weapons he has,and you know what kind I mean .Oweij Liebo TARBORO,NORTH CAROLINA U.S.A. (ASK THE RUSSIANS).

Oh my god. Did anyone read what an utter load of nonsence that article is?

I think there is some village in Zimbabwe surely missing thier idiot.

"Zimbabwe, which was supposed to give George W. Bush a legacy and Gordon Brown a much-needed foreign policy victory, delivered a defeat that stung far worse than the bombings on the Twin Towers seven years ago."

Claiming that this has hurt the US more than the attack on the twin towers is just complete and utter nonsense. Its laughable. Its just plainly wrong. I've never read a comment so far from the truth in my life.

Much like the lies that the US spent billions of dollars on regime change in Zimbabwe. Who makes up these lies?

The Herald who so often called Tsvangarai a puppet of the west, now seems to have forgotten this. The puppet of the west now has taken half of Mugabe's power away from him. A great achievment, but its only halfway there. They will get there in the end. This is a great result for the opponants of the man who slaughtered the people of Zimbabwe.

Caesar Zvayi should read the agreement especially page 9 reprinted in Allafrica.com and start implementing it instead of displaying his ignorance at this time. Mugabi is a disgrace to old people as well as the entire continent of Africa!

Caesar Zvayi's bitterness is misplaced and we dont needed such venom to get access and publicity at a time when we are desperately praying and needing healing as a nation and healing in our relationships with other nations.Please wake up to the reality that we are not a country existing in a solo mode on our planet.We are part of a world that is much bigger than ourselves and we are must learn to be accomodative and become useful players in the global village.It is time to learn a new language instead rushing to spue the remnants of venom from your bosom

Is this article supposed to be a joke? I hope so because it sure is funny. The fact that the author thinks the West even cares close to enough about Zimbabwe to make the events of 11 Sept 2008 "sting" like the fall of the towers is probably the single most ignorant comment I have ever read. I have some bad news for the author: The majority of Americans don't even know WHERE Zimbabwe is let alone who is in power there...and they sure as hell don't care. Those of us that know a little about the region actually think the situation there currently is both tragic and comical. Inflation in the millions of percentage points? Tragic and Comical. Mass exodus into South Africa? Tragic and Comical. A misguided old man in power who refuses to let go? Tragic and Comical. Well, no surprise...that's they way you all do it on this Continent and also why you will ALWAYS be a part of the developing world...not the first world. The West doesn't do it to you...You do it to yourselves. We just sit back, watch, and laugh. Ha Ha.

Wow. Can someone tell me why we (the entire civilized world) are feeding, immunizing etc. this continent? They are not only undeserving, but also ungrateful and we can surely find better things to do with billions of dollars a year than propping up these pathetic failed states.

That question often comes to my mind. The United States "does not use food as a political weapon" -- but WHY NOT? Why are we obligated to spend our money providing food, medical supplies, etc. for people whose governments then tell them that we are the cause of their suffering?

And as for the "sting" of September 11, 2001, I'll echo the earlier comment: few Americans have any idea where Zimbabwe is, and they'd only even guess Africa because it "sounds African."

African as i am i agree too - and for Mugabe to accept the donations from the people he relentlessly and unnecessarily blames and curses is an even bigger joke. In any case all that money will not be put to good use i'm afraid you'll probably jes be funding Grace's shopping sprees etc.so yeah! keep your money indeed!

may i suggest you use your billions of dollars to prop up your failed banks etc.your actions previously veiled with benevolence set us back 100years in the past so forgive me if i dont buy that crap!!

Ungreatful sod.

dumb pr*ck

You're the one thats so dumb that you dont realise how much you need the wests money and investment. Remember the sanctions? These stop the west from investing and giving money to Zimbabwe. Why is Mugabe calling for these to be lifted? Grow a brain stupid!

you seem to be very proud that you have helped caused an economic meltdown in that country leading to starving children etc. but i guess that does not bother you, as you choose to swallow everything your govt gives you.

You assume way too much. I am neither British nor American. So I am not responsible for anything that is happening in Zimbabwe. You are just like Mugabe, trying to blame eveyrone else for the problems that he has created. Mugabe is the sole source of the economic meltdown in Zimbabwe. His policies have led the country to ruin, including not allowing aid agencies into the country that has led to the starving children etc. Mugabe is also responsible for the murder of 20,000 Ndebele people in the 80's, and also the mass intimidation through beatings and torture of opposition supporters that led to over 120 opposition supporters being murdered this year. Why do you support and condone a man that so obviously doesnt care about his people?

why do you assume i support mugabe? i never said that i did.. i just find it appaling that people can so crudely celebrate another man's plight simply because they think they are better. You are just like Bush or brown then seeing as you think that destroying the livelihoods of a citizenry is just punishment for annoying leaders. if you are familiar with African politics, you will find so many other cases of brutality,ask yourself, if you are really concerned, why only mugabe?

Why is it wrong to celebrate the plight of a man who has beaten, murdered and raped his own people to secure his own political survival?

I wholeheartely disagree that destroying the "the livelihoods of a citizenry is just punishment for annoying leaders" But this certainly wasnt the case. As I said before, Mugabe is solely responsible for the downfall of the Zimbabwean economy. So I ask you, how is it fair that people of Zimbabwe should be starved, beated, raped, murdered, tortured because they support the opposition leader? Or does this not bother you?

And you assume I am only concerned with Mugabe. I am concerned with the death of any innocents. Not just in Zimbabwe.

it seems we differ on the root cause of the economy's collapse. obviously, as leader of zimbabwe,ultimate responsibility rests with him to ensure his decisions enhance his people's security(civil, military, economic etc)..which he did for about a decade+ before western psychiatrists suddenly diagnosed him with madness..he probably miscalculated some,however, you cannot ignore the influence of the 'international community' in crippling the economy. if you cannot agree on this point there is no point for further discussion. i am against violence on civilians, however it is a pity that almost all countries in this world have lost the moral right to adopt a posture against this issue that does not stink. and like i said, all across Africa and indeed the world, such abuses occur ask yourself again, why ONLY zimbabwe?

+ if zimbabwe translates to one man for you then by all means celebrate his plight!!

I certainly dont celebrate the plight of Zimbabwe and the average Zimbabwean. I do however celebrate Mugabe losing power, especially after his campaign of violence to keep it.

cool, last time i checked he still had some though. its just the downtrodden zimbabwean that concerns me.whichever way you look at it they have endured a crisis for a very long time not of their direct volition.peace & sorry for cussing you.

To HELL with your millions of dollars!!! Go give your dollars to the Lehman Brothers and leave us alone OK. We want the freedom to carry out trade with the rest of the world ... not rely on handouts. There are many more needy places than Zimbabwe eg Wallstreet redudancies right within the USA. Shame on you, muzungu. You wont give up!!!! Now we know why the Indians refused your assistance after the Tsunami or China and Burma catergorically turned away your so called aid workers ... these peopple are always a Trojan horse. Kick out or place effective restrictions on the West's NGOs. These organisations always have a hidden agenda. Once more .. to hell with your aid money ... Imi muri honye!!!

whats that? You want us to keep the sanctions on you now?

That a boy! Good for you man! You are thinking and connecting the dots. You are exercising the spirit of self reliance. That is what will free Africans from western tyranical submission. Remember we cannot be respected abroad unless we are self reliant and self sufficient at home. We will never free ourselves from the yoke of western powers until we stop accepting devious funds or help of this caliber.

Mugabe has had most of this decade to work out how to make Zimbabwe self-reliant in the absence of funding from Western controlled institutions, in addition to being able to call upon China and Russia for support to fill the gap. He's had absolute power to do what he wants in Zimbabwe, restructure land ownership, business ownership, education etc. and what has been the result? He's governed the country into needing more support from the West than ever before. It's perverse given that he inherited a country that was totally self reliant in providing it's citizens life's essentials.

To Mr. African32 -------- With due respect, you are living in the past and exercising the mind of many tone deaf pathetic African blogers that I read in this forum. Don’t take this personally. I am addressing my comments to all Africans bloggers for a honest self critical analysis. All I see is an endless MUGABE, MUGABE, MUGABE drivel

Your concern is similar to countless drivel comments that lead the charge of many bloggers on this forum. I trust that after reading this note, you can grab other bloggers by their ears to stay focused. The African brutality we witness thru Mugabe in particular, hits us hard in the face and remind us of the distorted and twisted souls of human beings. Read up on Western history. It is ugly. Ditto on the Chinese history. It is ugly. Today, westerners as well as Chinese sanitize their ugly past with all sort of alibi similar to what is know as the American Dream.

Here we are pontificating and to revere their cultures as being civilized. When will African bloggers start thinking? Your responsibility is just as good as mine to come up with concocted consciousness or write up a mandate that you can hold T accountable if she does not shape up to our liking. Brutal as he may be, Mugabe is history. He does not have that much longer to live. THE EVIL THAT PRODUCED MUGABE IS THE MOST CRITICAL ASPECT OF THIS ENTIRE ORDEAL. Not Mugabe the man. Help us suck it up so we can move up to a more responsible thinking theme.

WE SHOULD PICK UP FROM WHERE MUGABE WENT WRONG. We should not fool ourselves. The west is not the answer either. We must face that music with askance. There are quite a few Mugabe among us. Others that will develop his mindset are being born as we speak. I wonder. With our lack of visionary thinking, when are we going to leave Mugabe alone? We can whine about Mugabe and the mess he created or we can forge forward and find some bootstraps for start anew. Look! The damage is done. The question is where do we go from here? It is revolting that so many bloggers with all sort intellectual masturbation spewing crass about nothing

Mr. Tsvangirai, in his self proclaimed awareness, offered us a self-described mandate. No one talks about it. Something is really wrong with this picture. It means that we have not learned anything from Mugabe’s crime. And yet, we are quick to insult each other, and calling each other names, attributing every foul word or adjective available in the encyclopedia to hurt instead of thinking of something helpful. That is shameful. It is a sad picture to read more than 100 comments about Magabe and find no comment about Mr. Tsvangirai statement. -------- “Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's Speech at the Signing Ceremony, 15 September 2008 Posted to the web 15 September 2008” I would like to think that I have spoken. Thank you for letting me speak through you. Are we still friends, Mr African32?

Stunned, by name and not by nature I hope , my friend because I have not met you. Maybe it's hard to understand but its not the ungrateful who are being cared for alone but all of our brothers and sisters who by means within their control or beyod their control are in desperate need .The planet we share is just a small stone a speck of dust maybe in the universe,but it is OUR speck of dust .

That a temporary power-sharing agreement between an illegitimate ruler who failed to honor an election and an opposition which rightly should be running the whole show now was necessary shows only the deep corruption of Zimbabwe, a nation whose economy has been ruined and people torn asunder by a megalomaniac. That there are Africans who still blame their own deep corruption on the devil of "The West" shows a thorough failure to admit to ones own responsibility for ones lack of personal morality.

I once sat next to President Mugabe at an AIDS luncheon in New York City in 2000. I understood that Zimbabwe was headed toward economic disaster and I wondered to myself: does this man eat food as I do, speak as I do, behave as I do(?) There were several Heads-of-State attending including the ceremonious (at that time) President Moi of Kenya. I felt that many of these men were out of touch with the realities of the world and the realities of the human condition...somehow stuck in a colonial era of their youth and warped into their own version of tyrannical rule...most only ruled the city capital while the outlying countrysides were administered by tribal leaders. Mugabe stood and spoke next to me, with his deep resonating voice. I recall marveling at his charisma and youthful presence despite his age. I saddens me that such a man of promise somehow succumbed to a viewpoint of being a victim instead of realizing that his own ignorance victimized his own people. It saddened me that it has taken this long for Mugabe to be accountable for his misdeeds as a steward of his own economy. And yet he is still not really accountable. He is still in a position of power, if anything to preserve his legacy until his eventual death. Mugabe is a paradox: at once a hero of the past and truly a social tyrant for the universal suffering he has imposed upon his people.

This article is written by an apologist who is clearly confused by the oxymoron that is Mugabe. I expect that Zimbabwe will eventually follow the model set in Botswana and become a more developed country. While Mugabe may be ignorant...the egotistical viewpoints of the previous writers are also antithetical to the dialogu of the global economy. Most African countries will prevail to become "developed" and they do deserve our assistance, and compassion in the meantime. We are all human and should never forget this fact. Thank you.

Thornton, I take issue with the way you characterize people with a different point of view from yours. I see your attitude as more egostical. Zimbabweans are fairly independent people and they will do as the see fit. Given the treatment of Zimbabweans in Botswana, I doubt whether Zimbabweans will imitate Batswana. Zimbabweans run most of their economy, Botswana very much is an expatriat run country, much differences.Not to say foreign capital is bad

By the way, Zimbabwe is the only country that reduced it's HIV/AIDS from 23% to 16%. This is also acknowledged by the UN. It has nothing to do with Robert Mugabe or CZvayi, but more the character of being a Zimbabwean.

Most of us have a negative attitude toward our white anglos Britons..It is not just Robert Mugabe. The history of Zimbabwe makes it almost impossible that we will ever have normal relationship with UK (especially). Zvayi is only being honest about attitude toward foerigners in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe reduced its HIV population from 25% to 16%. Yes they died from bad diet, denied life saving drugs. They immigrated so that they could get care and treatment. Look at a population that has decreased over the past eight years, 4 million left and how many just died. It is laughable that one can draw a statisical bright light from misery. Aids decreased in recent years, wow a positive, in real terms the popluation decreased by 30%+. Not so good eh? The aids population decreased under the Mugabe Regime but not for any goods reasons. Do not take this as a disparaging view of the Zimbabwe peoples, I am sure they do take a serious view HIV/Aids.

One can only conclude from reading drivel like this in Mugabe's private newspaper, on the day that the agreement is signed, that there is not the will in Zanu-pf to make the GNU work.

Perhaps that is precisely what the Zanu-pf hard core want to happen; then MDC will be a spent force and they, Zanu-pf, can get back to ruling the ashes of Zimbabwe.

As much as most of us would have preferred murderer Mugabe totally cast away, I am confident that Prime Minister Tsvangirai and MDC will steer Zimbabwe to a bright future and all her citizens will now come back home. After having suffered beatings and tortures by Mugabe, his address, "If you were my enemy yesterday, today we are bound by the same patriotic duty and destiny", shows great promise of peace. On blaming Mugabe's policies of the past Mr Tsvangirai went further to say, "Under my leadership, this unity government will let business flourish so our people can work and provide for their families with pride". Obviously it is not going to be easy but it is a message of hope, hard work and accountability and we hope other nations will open their hearts as they have always done, and give Zimbabwe all the help she needs under Prime Minister Tsvangirai's direction. Peace to Zimbabwe.

Kjrs120, finally some common sense coming from you! It has been long in coming. I agree that Tsvangirai has the will of the people to stir Zimbabwe in the right direction and bright future. But, it will also be a test of his leadership skills that will be examined.

Tsvangirai, one hopes will transform himself from trade unionist/oppossition leader to the next President of Zimbabwe. This will require Tsvangirai to demonstrate that he is a leader and a fighter for the common man/woman in Zimbabwe.

Tsvangirai is closer to the common folk in the street of Zimbabwe, than some of the fat cats in both the Zanu-pf and MDC T&M.

I join you and the rest of Zimbabweans in wishing him the best!

Phiri,your statement,"Kjrs120, finally some common sense coming from you. It has been long in coming". Who the hell do you think you are? The reason I have "not had common sense" in your opinion is only because I have always and will always criticize and loathe Mugabe for all the horrors which he and all YOU his supporters have done to innocent people in Zimbabwe. All this time you've sat around praising Mugabe whilst he crapped on the people. Don't try to mess around with me. Get stuffed.

Wish I could agree with you krjs; however I am deeply pessimistic that this agreement will actually work. Read what Mugabe had to say in his address yesterday and ask yourself if this is a man who is genuinely prepared to change the direction that he has taken the country in.

I am convinced that for Zimbabwe to rebuild itself it needs a complete break from the past. This agreement does not allow for that to happen. I have read the text of the agreement, which sounds fine in theory; however we all know that there is a gulf between what the law and or constitution says and what happens on the ground.

Mugabe had the opportunity yesterday to build bridges with both the majority of his citizens who voted for change and the alienated international community. He let his ego get in the way and failed to do either.

Katz, I hear you, and as you are always so well balanced in all your posts, I understand your pessimism. I have not read the final draft of this agreement but know the gist of it. Mugabe is an arrogant man and if he thinks he can continue crapping around then for sure no international community will come to Zimbabwe's aid. Let us hope the majority of people continue rallying behind Mr Tsvangirai, and the more that return home the more support he will have. A lot rests on Mr Tsvangirai's shoulders and I hope they are broad enough to carry the Zimbabwean load. Time will tell. Meamwhile, peace and new beginnings go with Zimbabwe.

kjrs - my reading of the situation with the EU and the US is that they are going sit back for at least one or two months and watch how the state media, police and army respond to the terms of the agreement. If they see an appreciable change in attitude amongst these institutions, then they will slowly start to support the new agreement whilst all the time not trusting Mugabe as far as they can throw him.

The state media will be the first to be tested, but judging by the old man's diatribe yesterday, I cannot see immediate changes on that front (more Zvayi and Charamba for a while longer). Next to be tested will be the police, especially if the MDC and its supporters decide to flex their new found political wings. The big test however will come when and if Morgan Tsvangirai attempts to strip the zanu-pf/JOC fat cats of their multiple farms so that these farms can be put to productive use. I cannot see that actually happening, although ostensibly he, as PM, has the authority and mandate to do so.

Katz, I totally agree with you and with the international community's wait and see strategy. You are right, EVERYTHING will have to be rewired. From the killing mindset of the Mugabe Zanu-pf fat morons to the blood thirsty army, the police, those bribed judges, all those Mugabe young thugs, the hospitals, monetary, and all other institutions and services which are in disarray. That land issue is uppermost in every Zimbabwean's mind and those fat baboons who were given the farms just because they were Zanu-pf must be spitting their paprika and quaking in their boots. The work of recovery in Zimbabwe is absolutely humongous and I hope that one of the first things Mr Tsvangirai does is bring in loads and loads of bags of mealie meal and other basic essentials at affordable prices and revamps the hospitals for the people.

First the West will want to see how the ministries are to be divided up. Report are that the police will go to MDC, but the new delays by Zanu to enter into these discussions is not a good sign. If Mugabe tries to sideline MDC by allocating them impotent ministries it will all unravel and go back to the situation of last week. Mugabe will give MDC finance as it is their only hope of an influx of aid and capital, but if they think they will then steal it all they are in for a rude awakening. Hopefully the people fo Zimbabwe will see what good is being done my MDC and they will then not allow Mugabe and his bunch get away with what they have been doing over the past eight years.

Jrr, it looks like PM Tsvangirai and MDC will have to look frontwards to steer the country forwards, look sideways to keep an eye on the rogue Mugabe and also keep an eye on their backs. A monumental task.

True to form Mugabe/Zanu have demanded every important ministry. If teh cannot see the light then sad days are ahead, the West is justified in their wait and see approach

Katz, I remain skeptical about saying the west/UK will eventually come along. One of the biggest complaint, which is now catching on with African Union economic monitors is that they are finding that the G8 and others always over promise and always under deliver. This is true of HIV/AIDS relief and other developmental issues.

Even if Zimbabwe were to do everything point by point by demands from the western world, Zimbabwe perhaps would recieve only a quarter of what is promised! This has began to frustrate Africa economists more and more. Western demands on Africa...true has helped Africans govern themselves better and improved their own economies.

What works I'm told, is for individual Africans to seek aid directly to individual western/eastern countries. For example Sweden, Germany, Norway, India, China have done well with aid to Zimbabwe. In other words they have tolelated Robert Mugabe. It is easy for Zimbabwe to approach these countries first, rather than seek a broad consensus with all western Countries!

Phiri - I understand that your obseravtion about promises of aid often falling short of what is actually delivered is true. Certainly blanket deals such as the Gleneagles declaration tend to be purpose designed for the politicians to grab the limelight and I would agree the bilateral, rather than multilateral, agreements probably work best.

Zimbabwe, however, should for a while have an advantage over other recipients of aid in that there has been a fair amount of publicity about the country and accordingly the economic recovery story should, in theory, be rich ground for foreign politicians looking to earn some foreign policy kudos.

I am pretty sure that both the EU/UK and US will want to be seen to be the major contributors to Zimbabwe's recovery and IF they can be persuaded that Mugabe is gone, together with his gang of thieves and thugs, then they will come to the party in a pretty big way. The reason for this is that both the EU/UK and the US have taken the highground in opposing Mugabe and will now need to demonstrate to the rest of Africa that democracy has its rewards.

Typical Herald ; start off talking about an achievement and finish up bragging about a failure!

All my optimism about the power sharing agreement is slowly shifting downwards towards my boots. The arrogant and egotistic murderer Mugabe is humiliated because agreeing to power sharing is the same as conceding to defeat and admitting how useless and incapable of running Zimbabwe he is. Well, whose fault is it? Mugabe has had 28 years. Even a baby, it only takes it a few months to crawl and then walk and run. 28 years is a long time to prove his capabilities particularly due to the fact that he inherited a country running and in full control. Mugabe's insistence that he remains in control of the security forces and all other crucial ministries not only shows how non committal he is to the progress of Zimbabwe, but it is a move to assure himself and all of the Zanu-pf monsters including Solomon Majuru of continued power and that they will not be prosecuted. If Mugabe does not straighten up, he will remain in the driver's seat but this time driving a Scots cart because as he knows full well NO international community will come to Zimbabwe's aid. I hope MDC continues to press on.

Well, since my last posting, I have learned that section 27 of Zimbabwe's constitution stipulates that the president be head of state and commander-in-chief of the armed forces and section 31, Mugabe remains a creation of the constitution whilst Mr Tsvangirai a creation of an agreement. So that takes care of that. The EU, USA and Australia have a jump-start package of over a billion US dollars ready for release to Zimbabwe and the African Development Bank and the World Bank are also ready to help but are waiting in the wings. It all depends on Mugabe now. If he continues to be an ass and insist on keeping finance, and Home Affairs etc, then for sure, there will be no help from anyone. Giving the ministry of finance to Mugabe is kissing that money goodbye. It's hello to Harrods for Grace Mugabe and once again nothing for the people. The United Nations estimates that without more aid, 5.1 million Zimbabweans will require food assistance by the year 2009. That's grim folks.