Monday, 11th August 2008
Howzit
Foreign currency mid-rates updated...
-o00o-
ZNU 133 is released this morning.
In this episode, I look at Clem Tholett's song "Another Hitler" and discuss how that song of thirty years ago foretold much of what we see happening in Zimbabwe today.
I also look at how Mbeki has allowed ZANU PF to stack the deck in their favour by allowing the Joint Operations Command to participate in the talks.
And finally I look at how Mugabe's successes are outweighed by his excesses...
The programme can be listened to using the player below, or the multiplayers in the right hand sidebar of this page.
It can also heard here, or downloaded from here.
Thanks for your continued support of the ZNU podcast.
Mugabe doesn't even bother to hide it anymore. He rushes to the airport to hold hands with Mbeki.
In any other country in the world, the mediator would be left to their own devices - but Mugabe couldn't care less who sees him fawning all over Mbeki.
"The meeting between Robert Mugabe, the 84-year-old who has been in office for 28 years, and Morgan Tsvangirai, who won the first round of the presidential election in March as leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, had been touted as heralding a breakthrough.
Thabo Mbeki, the South African president who has been mediating the talks, was with them on the 16th floor of a hotel in the capital, as was Arthur Mutambara, leader of a smaller MDC faction.
Speculation of a deal to end the country's political crisis, triggered when Mr Tsvangirai pulled out of a presidential run-off in the face of a campaign of sustained violence by Mr Mugabe's supporters, had been high.
The talks are overshadowed by the Olympics. Which suits Mugabe down to the ground. He is happy to have the world's focus elsewhere - and it is normally these times that he pulls an audacious move that is irreversible.
We would do well to keep a close eye on events in Harare.
"Over the decades, Mr Mugabe has used every possible tactic to retain power, from out-negotiating his opponents to massacring them, and he and his ZANU PF party are thought unlikely to simply give up now.
For his part, Mr Tsvangirai has insisted he isZimbabwe
Agreement is believed to be close, or have been achieved, on several other issues, including the time frame for a new government and a new constitution, but will be meaningless without settling the question of power.
In this episode, I look at Clem Tholett's song "Another Hitler" and discuss how that song of thirty years ago foretold much of what we see happening in Zimbabwe today.
I also look at how Mbeki has allowed ZANU PF to stack the deck in their favour by allowing the Joint Operations Command to participate in the talks.
And finally I look at how Mugabe's successes are outweighed by his excesses...
The programme can be listened to using the player below, or the multiplayers in the right hand sidebar of this page.
It can also heard here, or downloaded from here.
Thanks for your continued support of the ZNU podcast.
-o00o-
Mugabe doesn't even bother to hide it anymore. He rushes to the airport to hold hands with Mbeki.
In any other country in the world, the mediator would be left to their own devices - but Mugabe couldn't care less who sees him fawning all over Mbeki.
Thabo Mbeki, the South African president who has been mediating the talks, was with them on the 16th floor of a hotel in the capital, as was Arthur Mutambara, leader of a smaller MDC faction.
Speculation of a deal to end the country's political crisis, triggered when Mr Tsvangirai pulled out of a presidential run-off in the face of a campaign of sustained violence by Mr Mugabe's supporters, had been high.
The talks are overshadowed by the Olympics. Which suits Mugabe down to the ground. He is happy to have the world's focus elsewhere - and it is normally these times that he pulls an audacious move that is irreversible.
We would do well to keep a close eye on events in Harare.
"Over the decades, Mr Mugabe has used every possible tactic to retain power, from out-negotiating his opponents to massacring them, and he and his ZANU PF party are thought unlikely to simply give up now.
For his part, Mr Tsvangirai has insisted he is
Agreement is believed to be close, or have been achieved, on several other issues, including the time frame for a new government and a new constitution, but will be meaningless without settling the question of power.
-o00o-
I found this article, written by author Peter Godwin. Godwin wrote "Mukiwa" and "When A Crocodile Eats The Sun".
Like the history of Mugabe's ruinous rule, the article is very long - but that is the only way that Godwin can encapsulate all the confusing events in Zimbabwe.
"For more than five hours on the afternoon of April 4 the man who sees himself as synonymous with the destiny of Zimbabwe, and who has made himself the country’s dictator to ensure it, remained locked in a meeting in Harare, the capital, with his four-dozen-member politburo. The man was Robert Mugabe,Zimbabwe Harare
A very interesting article and one which gives you an insight into the Gukurahundi and the elections held earlier this year.
Well worth the read.
-o00o-
Peter Godwin
Like the history of Mugabe's ruinous rule, the article is very long - but that is the only way that Godwin can encapsulate all the confusing events in Zimbabwe.
"For more than five hours on the afternoon of April 4 the man who sees himself as synonymous with the destiny of Zimbabwe, and who has made himself the country’s dictator to ensure it, remained locked in a meeting in Harare, the capital, with his four-dozen-member politburo. The man was Robert Mugabe,
A very interesting article and one which gives you an insight into the Gukurahundi and the elections held earlier this year.
Well worth the read.
I am unsure that the timing of this warning is well thought out. Right now, as the talks are allegedly heading for some sort of an agreement, throwing a curve ball at Mugabe and his government is perhaps not the best thing to do.
"Donor countries on Friday warnedZimbabwe
The Governments of Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom, the United States of America, and the European Commission, said the June 4 suspension of humanitarian operations by Social Welfare minister Nicholas Goche has affected more than 1.5 million Zimbabweans already.
The donor countries warned that steps must be taken now in order for food to be available to those in need in future months."
Once a agreement is reached, I do believe that many countries will be looking to not only assist in the humanitarian crisis, but to also look at the rebuilding of the infrastructure of the crippled country.
By holding a cosh over the Zimbabwean government's collective heads, the donor countries do make life a little harder than it need be. The new government in Zimbabwe should be a majority of the MDC. Many of those that haven't helped in the plight of the Zimbabwean people will fall away from government.
Issuing threats at a time like this is incorrect.
"Timing is critical,” warned the donor countries in a joint statement issued inHarare
The donor countries said the Zimbabwe Government had not responded to a July 29 diplomatic appeal for full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access, and said they felt they must now raise the profile of this issue publicly."
Trust me - the humanitarian crisi in Zimbabwe, is not a priority to Mugabe of his followers - they are desperate to survive in any coalition government. The starving Zimbabweans are not anywhere near the top of their list.
Sadly.
"While global condemnation of Mugabe’s ban on aid agencies was growing, a spokesman for a coalition of aid agencies in Harare, Fambai Ngirande immediately appealed to the donors not to punish the people of the southern African country for the actions of its government.
The government ban, coupled with political conflict has combined to threaten as many as 5 million poor and needy across Zimbabwe with starvation, famine or food shortages, Ngirande said.
"This year’s poor harvest means that 5 million Zimbabweans will face a severe food crisis if the ban is not lifted," said the donors. "Without the immediate resumption of food aid across the country, widespread hunger and worsening malnutrition are unavoidable.
"The magnitude of the humanitarian crisis requires the immediate and unconditional lifting of the suspension on all NGO field operations. Harassment of NGOs must cease immediately, and protection for humanitarian workers must be guaranteed. Full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access is our overriding concern."
"Donor countries on Friday warned
The Governments of Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom, the United States of America, and the European Commission, said the June 4 suspension of humanitarian operations by Social Welfare minister Nicholas Goche has affected more than 1.5 million Zimbabweans already.
The donor countries warned that steps must be taken now in order for food to be available to those in need in future months."
Once a agreement is reached, I do believe that many countries will be looking to not only assist in the humanitarian crisis, but to also look at the rebuilding of the infrastructure of the crippled country.
By holding a cosh over the Zimbabwean government's collective heads, the donor countries do make life a little harder than it need be. The new government in Zimbabwe should be a majority of the MDC. Many of those that haven't helped in the plight of the Zimbabwean people will fall away from government.
Issuing threats at a time like this is incorrect.
"Timing is critical,” warned the donor countries in a joint statement issued in
The donor countries said the Zimbabwe Government had not responded to a July 29 diplomatic appeal for full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access, and said they felt they must now raise the profile of this issue publicly."
Trust me - the humanitarian crisi in Zimbabwe, is not a priority to Mugabe of his followers - they are desperate to survive in any coalition government. The starving Zimbabweans are not anywhere near the top of their list.
Sadly.
"While global condemnation of Mugabe’s ban on aid agencies was growing, a spokesman for a coalition of aid agencies in Harare, Fambai Ngirande immediately appealed to the donors not to punish the people of the southern African country for the actions of its government.
The government ban, coupled with political conflict has combined to threaten as many as 5 million poor and needy across Zimbabwe with starvation, famine or food shortages, Ngirande said.
"This year’s poor harvest means that 5 million Zimbabweans will face a severe food crisis if the ban is not lifted," said the donors. "Without the immediate resumption of food aid across the country, widespread hunger and worsening malnutrition are unavoidable.
"The magnitude of the humanitarian crisis requires the immediate and unconditional lifting of the suspension on all NGO field operations. Harassment of NGOs must cease immediately, and protection for humanitarian workers must be guaranteed. Full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access is our overriding concern."
-o00o-
This is where politics in Zimbabwe takes a huge dive into the seedy nature of the people within. The junta should have no say in politics. Politicians are assumably selected by the people. I do not see how the junta has the legal right to manipulate the law.
But because the junta has Mugabe's ear - probably more forcibly than we realise - he will be obliged to use his executive powers to negate any legal decision that may reduce his party's overall seat numbers in Parliament.
"Fearing an imminent court defeat that would further increase MDC's parliamentary majority Robert Mugabe's military junta is considering a law forbidding the courts to invalidate his defeated ZANU PF party's victories in 60 constituencies facing legal challenges, official sources say.
The MDC is challenging the results of the March 29 elections in 60 constituencies, where they say electoral fraud, violence and intimidation of voters compromised the returns.
ZANU PF has, in reaction to the MDC petitions, launched its own legal challenges to 52 parliamentary seats won by the MDC in theElectoral Court . It has cited flimsy reasons for the challenges, including vote rigging by the MDC, yet it was the ZANU PF government-appointed Zimbabwe Electoral Commission that conducted the elections.
Of course such legislation would never pass through parliament as it is presently constituted, so the amendment to the Electoral Act would be passed through special presidential powers, say the sources. This will ensure that it would not be subjected to debate in parliament.
Once again, the man who is described in many reports in various newspapers as the "Minister of Justice", Patrick Chinamasa, is leading the charge. I find his logic wanting and his reasoning impaired.
"Patrick Chinamasa, states that the election of sitting lawmakers "shall not be rendered void in the interest of democracy, peace, security and stability, even if corrupt or illegal practices were committed."
In other words, those ZANU PF MPs who attained their seats by illegal means are to be left in place.
But because the junta has Mugabe's ear - probably more forcibly than we realise - he will be obliged to use his executive powers to negate any legal decision that may reduce his party's overall seat numbers in Parliament.
"Fearing an imminent court defeat that would further increase MDC's parliamentary majority Robert Mugabe's military junta is considering a law forbidding the courts to invalidate his defeated ZANU PF party's victories in 60 constituencies facing legal challenges, official sources say.
The MDC is challenging the results of the March 29 elections in 60 constituencies, where they say electoral fraud, violence and intimidation of voters compromised the returns.
ZANU PF has, in reaction to the MDC petitions, launched its own legal challenges to 52 parliamentary seats won by the MDC in the
Of course such legislation would never pass through parliament as it is presently constituted, so the amendment to the Electoral Act would be passed through special presidential powers, say the sources. This will ensure that it would not be subjected to debate in parliament.
Once again, the man who is described in many reports in various newspapers as the "Minister of Justice", Patrick Chinamasa, is leading the charge. I find his logic wanting and his reasoning impaired.
"Patrick Chinamasa, states that the election of sitting lawmakers "shall not be rendered void in the interest of democracy, peace, security and stability, even if corrupt or illegal practices were committed."
In other words, those ZANU PF MPs who attained their seats by illegal means are to be left in place.
-o00o-
Let's put this into some sort of perspective for you. Inflation in the UK is running at 3% - and many economists here are unhappy with that rate. The objective is to reduce that rate.
"Zimbabwe
The figure is contained in a document made available to Radio VOP. The document has been circulated among the banking community and top business leaders.
They say it was no true that the inflation rate stood at 11 million percent as pointed out by Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor, Dr Gideon Gono, in his Monetary Policy Statement last week.
Genesis Investment Bank (GIB) chief economist, Brains Muchaemwa, said the figures given out by Gono was for July and not for August as he did not want to rile the international community at a time when there are talks between the MDC and the ruling ZANU PF party..
He said Gono did not bother to check with economists before presenting his statement to the nation."
Gono plays to the Mugabe court, not anyone else - and he will say whatever it takes to pacify those in authority over him.
To give you an idea, Gono claims that the old bearer cheques will cease to be 'legal tender' at the end of this year. But bearer cheques are not legal tender and never have been.
"A document was sent to all bankers in Zimbabwe which said the inflation figure stood as 42 million percent but this did not see the light of day as Gono is alleged to have told the economists not to be alarmists.
Gono is alleged to have then withdrawn the foreign currency trading licence of Genesis due to its economic department which he accused of overstepping its boundaries by revealing the actual inflation figure."
I am sure that if Gono had any say in the matter, he would remove zeroes from the inflation rate, but SHHHHHH... let's not give him any ideas!
"
The figure is contained in a document made available to Radio VOP. The document has been circulated among the banking community and top business leaders.
They say it was no true that the inflation rate stood at 11 million percent as pointed out by Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor, Dr Gideon Gono, in his Monetary Policy Statement last week.
Genesis Investment Bank (GIB) chief economist, Brains Muchaemwa, said the figures given out by Gono was for July and not for August as he did not want to rile the international community at a time when there are talks between the MDC and the ruling ZANU PF party..
He said Gono did not bother to check with economists before presenting his statement to the nation."
Gono plays to the Mugabe court, not anyone else - and he will say whatever it takes to pacify those in authority over him.
To give you an idea, Gono claims that the old bearer cheques will cease to be 'legal tender' at the end of this year. But bearer cheques are not legal tender and never have been.
"A document was sent to all bankers in Zimbabwe which said the inflation figure stood as 42 million percent but this did not see the light of day as Gono is alleged to have told the economists not to be alarmists.
Gono is alleged to have then withdrawn the foreign currency trading licence of Genesis due to its economic department which he accused of overstepping its boundaries by revealing the actual inflation figure."
I am sure that if Gono had any say in the matter, he would remove zeroes from the inflation rate, but SHHHHHH... let's not give him any ideas!
-o00o-
Take care.
'debvhu
'debvhu
posted by Robb WJ Ellis at 5:56 AM
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Union Jack (1963 - 64, 1998 - ??)
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