Sir, Events in Zimbabwe (letters, June 23, etc) argue strongly for a framework of law permitting the international community to remove repugnant leaderships and regimes bent on perpetrating crimes against humanity.
To stand as mute witness to what is happening in Zimbabwe suggests we have learnt little from history. After Sierra Leone, Sudan, Somalia, Congo, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi, how many more genocides are we going to tolerate?
Doesn’t it make a sham of the focus on providing more aid to Africa when we cannot assure the most basic right to life, leave alone liberty? South Africa (obviously exercising diplomacy so quiet that even Mugabe is unaware of it), the Southern African Development Community, the African Union, the UN, EU and US all seem content to remain impotent. Clearly Zimbabwean democracy (like so many Afri can democracies) provides no remedy.
In vocabulary reminiscent of the 1930s, Mugabe describes his campaign against the shanty towns as removing “rubbish” (reports, June 16, 17 and 22). It is time to return the compliment.
PERCY S. MISTRY
(Chairman, Oxford International Group)
oxfordintluk@aol.com
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From the High Commissioner of South Africa
Sir, Kate Hoey’s suggestion (Comment, June 16) that our President and Government be held responsible for Zimbabwe’s domestic affairs is disingenuous. Zimbabwe is a sovereign state and, in keeping with international norms, South Africa cannot unilaterally interfere in the domestic affairs of that neighbouring country.
Ms Hoey claims that President Thabo Mbeki has frustrated efforts by the UN to address alleged human rights abuses in Zimbabwe.
On the contrary, President Mbeki engaged in efforts to assist the Zimbabwean Government and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change to resolve their differences so that they could concentrate on the urgent and principal task of reconstruction of Zimbabwe.
LINDIWE MABUZA
Westminster, London
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From Mrs M. Rowberry
Sir, During apartheid I stopped buying South African produce. With the catastrophe in Zimbabwe being ignored by the current South African Government, once more I feel inclined to boycott their goods.
M. K. ROWBERRY
Ely, Cambridgeshire
From Mr Jacob P. Keet
Sir, It should be the United Kingdom’s duty, as a powerful nation, to end Mugabe’s tyrannical reign.
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J. P. KEET
Littlehampton, West Sussex
From Mr Philip Prior
Sir, Of course Zimbabwean asylum-seekers should be returned (report, June 25) — with a full escort of Marines, Paras and SAS.
PHIL PRIOR
Eastbourne, East Sussex