h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

In a flippant moment over breakfast , it occured to me that George W could exit his presidency on a 'good' note by sending American troops en masse into Zimbabwe - on the grounds of Regime Change. Surely a more justified and more welcome one than his Iraqi adventure.

What's more the country is in such desperate need he may be treated as a hero of liberation!, and if TV pictures of Zanu PF fighters with iron bars is anything to go by , there wouldn't be much serious military opposition.....

Novo

Your cornflakes are getting soggy.

I know SWL, it's 'old age' creeping up!

Novo

Unless it's an entirely airborne operation (impractical), any invading force will need the permission of neighbouring countries. None of them to date has seemed to be particularly open to that suggestion.

The biggest real danger is if Bush and Cheney go out on a last hurrah and send the US into Iran. Could be a quid pro quo for the Israelis giving way in Gaza and the Golan Heights. A truly scary scenario.

Forgot to mention that China would probably pitch in if Bush went into Zimbabwe. They seemed to be very supportive in the Security Council last night. What has Zimbabwe got that China wants?

Mornin' WA

Copper? or just a foothold in Africa?

Novo

Mornin Novo,

I would imagine it would be some sort of resource as they have a major presence already in Zambia, I think. There was an article on Newsnight last week, I'll go check.

"In a flippant moment over breakfast , it occured to me that George W could exit his presidency on a 'good' note by sending American troops en masse into Zimbabwe - on the grounds of Regime Change. Surely a more justified and more welcome one than his Iraqi adventure."

Not a chance. First, the cynic in me thinks an invasion of Zimbabwe would be popular right up until Bush decides to lead it. Secondly, any non-African nation that invades Zimbabwe right now is going to have a hell of a time against Mugabe's army and police (not to mention his armed supporters) who will imagine they're replaying the war against the Smith regime.

>and if TV pictures of Zanu PF fighters with iron bars is anything to go by , there wouldn't be much serious military opposition.....

Don't mistake pro-government thugs with the trained and armed police and army. They're not like the Iraqi army, they want to support this regime and they will fight for it. Mugabe also has genuine support in the country, especially the countryside. Pacifying Zimbabwe would be hellish.

If there is a military solution then I think it has to come from African democracies.

>What has Zimbabwe got that China wants?

I think it's more that China is extending its influence in Africa generally. I don't think Zimbabwe is particularly important to them; there are richer and more stable nations China seems to be grooming as potential clients.

And China doesn't link aid with human rights or democratic reforms. Very popular in Africa are the Chinese.

>And China doesn't link aid with human rights or democratic reforms.

To be fair, the notion in the West that aid should be reliant on human rights and democracy is a very new one. It wasn't that long ago that all that qualified a country for Western aid was an openness to US/European investment. In fact I'd imagine that in some cases things haven't really changed.

Of course, if the West had always placed human rights above economic shortsightedness we'd have been spared most of the problems we currently have.

Arguably, if the West had always linked aid to human rights, the Soviet Union would have stepped in (and they did).

Incidentally, didn't China just sell Zimbabwe a shipload of mortars and small arms, but the delivery got interrupted?

>Arguably, if the West had always linked aid to human rights, the Soviet Union would have stepped in (and they did).


Or, arguably, it wasn't really a priority for the West during the Cold War.

The irony being if you back dictators you create more trouble for yourself eventually.

>Incidentally, didn't China just sell Zimbabwe a shipload of mortars and small arms, but the delivery got interrupted?

There was a story a few weeks ago about South African workers refusing to handle weapons that were bound for Zimbabwe; that might be it.

Aye, the dockers!

Good old trade Unionists eh?

And remember Robert Mugabwe banks at Barclays - all money is good money !

>And remember Robert Mugabwe banks at Barclays - all money is good money !

Are you sure? I thought the UK government had stopped British firms dealing with Zimbabwe.

Barclay's International