Zimbabwe arms saga raises questions over govt role

[seemslikeadream]

By John Chiahemen
REUTERS
7:47 a.m. March 17, 2004

JOHANNESBURG – The planned trial of suspected mercenaries in Zimbabwe could raise embarrassing questions for the government over their alleged bid to buy weapons illegally from the state, defence analysts say.

The key question will centre on what role President Robert Mugabe's senior aides played in any plans to procure weapons from state-owned Zimbabwe Defence Industries (ZDI), a cash-strapped agency under the firm grip of the government.

Murder charges being considered against mercenary suspects held in Zimbabwe



The analysts told Reuters on Wednesday that proceedings against the 70 men, who were charged on Tuesday, could throw a spotlight on what one called "the murky operations of the ZDI."

"Certainly it does raise some questions and it might expose some more about the activities of the ZDI that the government will regret later," said Richard Cornwell, head of the Pretoria-based Africa Security and Analysis Programme.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/world/20040317-0747-zimbabwe-plane-arms.html





Conical Tower, Great Zimbabwe

Take a close look at the backside cover of Bob Marley's album "Survival". You will find a picture of the conical tower, in the Great Enclosure section of Great Zimbabwe, the only difference being that the trees were shorter then and that Dumi and I weren't on that picture.
The Great Enclosure probably was the palace of a king. The function of the conical tower is as yet unknown. There are no doors or windows in it and its contents is unknown. Joe Wein