Article

2008-06-06 Africa Subsaharan

Zimbabwean generals have 'taken Robert Mugabe's power'

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Posted by mrp 2008-06-06 00:26|| || Front Page|| [5 views ] Top

#1 Nice looking group of chaps. I've always wondered why they think it's necesary to wear their fancy headgear indoors.

Posted by Besoeker 2008-06-06 08:03|| 2008-06-06 08:03|| Front Page Top

#2 What else do Zimbabwe and Burma have in common? A growing bond with the PRC, for one thing.

More on this matter is included in an article titled
Zimbabwe: China Trade Relations Improve (allAfrica.com) LINK

Excerpt:

The ambassador said China and Zimbabwe had strong bonds of friendship and co-operation that developed since the days of Zimbabwe's struggle for independence.

Ambassador Nasheng said these relations were now bearing fruit in many fields of co-operation, including politics, economic co-operation and trade, culture, tourism, people to people contact, especially after Zimbabwe adopted the Look East policy in 2002.

"Take trade for example. In 2003, bilateral trade was US$197 million. In 2007, trade reached US$340 million, up 72,6 percent from that in 2003.

"Zimbabwe exports to China also increased to US$200 million from US$167 million in 2003, a rise by 20 percent," he said.

He said the aggregate investment by Chinese companies in engineering and contracted projects amounted to US$1,6 billion.

Ambassador Nasheng said it was his fervent hope that the good harmonious relations existing between the two countries would continue to grow from strength to strength.

Add to that the PRC veto in the UN Security Council and Chinese military arms shipments.

Posted by mrp 2008-06-06 08:57|| 2008-06-06 08:57|| Front Page Top

#3 I wonder how long it will take the U.S. to start pouring millions of dollars into this septic tank of a country? Moreover, which one of those tribal chieftains will become the next "Mugabe" and how long will he last? Watching events in these crummy little third world countries is like watching "Ground Hog Day" (the film) without any changes being made in behavior for a favorable outcome. Its only a temporary grab for power and foreign aid. Will we ever learn to leave these shit holes alone. Do we think that Russia and China would really want to fund these regimes? Can anyone see a pattern here? Anyone?

Posted by Jim Woodward 2008-06-06 12:33|| none]">[none] 2008-06-06 12:33|| Front Page Top

#4 Change! You can believe in....

Posted by Scooter McGruder 2008-06-06 14:22|| 2008-06-06 14:22|| Front Page Top

#5 I have trouble believing this. The generals would be taking a huge risk by keeping Mugabe alive. Coups generally occur when a leader leaves the nation or the first goal is to kill that leader. A coup that killed Mugabe and then appealed to the world for aid would be able to feed the people and come across as heros to help solidify their power.

Posted by rjschwarz 2008-06-06 16:17|| 2008-06-06 16:17|| Front Page Top

#6 A coup that killed Mugabe and then appealed to the world for aid would be able to feed the people and come across as heros to help solidify their power.

These guys are ZANU-PF. It's a 'meet the old boss, same as the old boss' situation.

I wonder how long it will take the U.S. to start pouring millions of dollars into this septic tank of a country? Do we think that Russia and China would really want to fund these regimes?

Likely the US won't 'pour money' until the current party in power is gone. As for Russia and especially China - they're not supporting the government because they like them. They're supporting the government because of what Zimbabwe has in the ground.

Posted by Pappy 2008-06-06 18:17|| 2008-06-06 18:17|| Front Page Top

#7 What you do in cases like this is to make contact with the #2 general and offer to make him the #1 general if he plays along.

Posted by crosspatch 2008-06-06 18:23|| 2008-06-06 18:23|| Front Page Top

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