Coming to a government near you..

[Brian Gaff]

Ah but we pay the interest, I wonder what it is, Hope it was not borrowed from Wonga.

Brian

[Big Les Wade]

No need to work it out, once you understand that Zimbabwe is the victim of stringent international sanctions. Oddly, the FCO and the BBC almost never mention this on air, hoping instead that the sheep will believe it's all Mugabe's fault.

[The Natural Philosopher]

Ask an economist or a mathematician.

[Tim Streater]

They are now, yes, but that's largely because of Mugabe's undemocratic fascist policies.

You need to understand that Mugabe sees it as entirely *not* in his and his cronies' interest that Zimbabwe have a rich, well functioning economy, with a wealthy middle class. They want the mass of the populace to be subsistence farmers - *hungry* subsistence farmers. People who are hungry have no time or energy to be rebellious. It's the reason they kicked out the whites, too - they want the country, by and large, to be

*poor*. That still leaves enough left for them to loot and salt away overseas, in comparative safety.

[John Rumm]

Perhaps a good line to try on the bank when next overdrawn ;-)

[Huge]

Oh, that's really funny. I didn't think there were any Mugabe apologists in the world, but like they say; "Usenet - the great kook concentrator".

[The Natural Philosopher]

yeah: one of the 'I punch your face, you lock me up, so it's your fault' type mental conditions.

[Tony Bryer]

Plus massive tourist potential, English language and the legacy of empire in (once?) good rail and road infrastructure.

I have been to Zimbabwe twice, first time in 1987. After Zambia, which really was third world, Zimbabwe was a revelation: no shortages in the shops, international dialling from my hotel room, shops that took credit cards, perfect climate and lovely people.

It is a tragedy to see what has befallen the country and more than a little blame attaches to the government of South Africa. In apartheid days they (then the ANC) told the rest of the world that they couldn't stand by and let the abuse of black people continue. But when it's black on black in Zimbabwe, they couldn't care less.

[Steve Firth]

The Smith regime was subject to more stringent sanctions than the Mugabe government. Despite this Rhodesia managed to avoid becoming an economic basket case. However Smith didn't have a policy of shutting down working businesses and handing the remains to his corrupt mates. Nor did he slice off his nose to spite his face.

[Big Les Wade]

Far be it from me to worry your poor little head. Please go on believing exactly what FCO tells you to believe. You'll feel so much more comfortable than if you try to think for yourself.

[Tony Bryer]

In the case of Zimbabwe the way I was told it was that the sanctions actually strengthened the economy by making the country more self sufficient.

[harry]

They brought it on themselves. That's why no-one cares.

[Huge]

Thanks, but you've already convinced me that you're an idiot.

[The Natural Philosopher]

They (the people) didn't.

It was just another vicious dictator whop came in, organised an armed force and took over the country and proceeded to rape it for his and his cronies benefit.

But because he had a black face and had been to Oxford, and talked neoliberal marxist crap. they applauded him,

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Wonder how you classify stealing from 'someone' who stole it in the first place? ;-)

[Big Les Wade]

Tim Streater posted

Sometimes violence is the only way to remedy injustice. What I object to is moral standards being applied to Mugabe's actions that are not applied to, say, the NATO action in Libya, or the "Free Syrian Army" campaign.

Sorry, I ran out of time before work :)

I meant to write something like "but it's not the same as wanting everybody to be hungry subsistence farmers".

It could be the appropriate word, to those who believe Rhodes' white settlers obtained good title to the land they annexed.

That was the effect of the sanctions.

So says the FCO anyway. Last I heard, Mugabe was personally driving around starting cholera epidemics by smashing up all the water purification plants.

[Tim Streater]

'Twas ever thus. I've never seen any apologies from lefties for supporting terrorist acts by North Vietnamese fascists either.

I think 100 and more years of good peaceful use of the land counts for something. Unless you believe in ethnic cleansing, of course.

No, it was the effect of Mugabe's policies of destroying a major sector of the economy. The fact that they were white suited Mugabe's racist attitudes too.

Why do you keep bleating about the FCO? I really couldn't give a monkey's what they have to say. I'm giving you *my* analysis.

[Richard]

+1

[SteveW]

It's okay, when you owe a few thousand you are at their mercy, when you owe a trillion or more, they're at yours! ;)

SteveW