by Denepher Smith

Created on: June 26, 2008

Question! Where can you spend millions for a loaf of bread?; answer, Zimbabwe!The obsurdity and indeed obsentity of a community in which only the rich can afford to eat bread should not be ignored.In an era which has seen the intervention of the international community in trouble spots throughout the world, to observe the United Nations stand by and hand wring at the plight of Zimbabwe is infuriating and poises several very uncomfortable questions. It appears legal conventions can successfully be overthrown when some nations believe their interests to be threatened ( in the end there may be little of substance to their assertions ) however when the welfare of those from whom little material benefits can be derived is at stake, the reluctance to act is starkly contrasted; why is this so?

The day to day sight of the mutilated bodies of men and women, beaten into submission by Mugabe's henchmen seems insufficient to result in any greater international response than some "mealy mouthed" words of condemnation and an assertion that it is Southern Africa's problem and that South Africa's Thabo Mbeki should " have a words with his friend and neighbour."( Martin Plaut, BBC News, 22.6.08 ) Would the response have be greater if these we not bodies darkened by intensity of the sun?(though it must not be forgotten that whites too have suffered.)

Following yesterdays' shock announcement by Morgan Tsvangaria that in order to reduce more deaths and suffering he was withdrawing from the run off,(McGreal and Borger, The Guardian23.6.08), I am heartened today to read of a growing wave of worldwide condemnation and proposed actions. Proposals such as restricting international travel and freezing Zimbabwean leaders foreign asset's, proposed as far back as 2001 by Tsvangaria( Brendan Boyce. www.iol.co.za) are tangible steps which if taken hit hard those in Zanu- PF whose main objective in maintaining power are the personal perks which are associated to their position in the regime.Take away these perks and you begin to chip away at the network of privilege with which despots such as Mugabe binds their followers to themselves. Until those holding power feel their survival threatened, they will continue to fight to preserve the status quo.

However the people of Zimbabwe cannot be left to suffer unaided indefinitely while waiting for such policies to take effect; they have not yet done so! . A community of nations which has central to it's existence the upholding of human dignity and rights, cannot stand helplessly by while a nation crumbles before international gaze. I understand that Condeleeza Rice, US Secretary of State is to try to bring the issue to the UN council meeting this week, urging for greater action to be taken. Although I have not been in agreement with Ms Rice's political thinking in the past, I whole heartily applaud her actions now and hope that her more powerful voice may be heard in the corridors of power calling for swift action to be taken to bring to an end this human tragedy.

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