'Former imperialists' won't be monitoring Zim poll

[dArKeR]

Maputo

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe on Thursday said he would not allow "former imperialists" to monitor parliamentary elections in his country next year, a declaration which drew a sympathetic response from a summit of 79 poor and developing countries.

Mugabe blasted British Prime Minister Tony Blair for questioning the state of human rights, freedom and democracy in its former colony and said that is why he would only invite monitors from Africa and developing nations.

"Eleven years I spent in prison fighting for democracy, for one man, one vote and for us now to hear a voice from London saying there is no democracy, no freedom, no human rights observed in Zimbabwe is very offensive and repulsive," Mugabe said.

http://www.mg.co.za/Content/l3.asp?ao=117800

I honestly don't know this guy's history but then I don't know if the Western Elite are trying to do an Allende, Castro, Ortega, Chavez... on him and using the lying Whore Press as is used to lie to us about Bush, the Florida Election Racketeering, 9/11, Iraq...

But Mugabe has a point. The United States of America does NOT allow election observers and I wouldn't either want to let the Death Squad organizers back into my country.

We hear stories about Mugabe using harsh rules to clamp down on the media but what if the media he is clamping down on is really controlled by FOX and Murdock and the Carlyle Group and the Saudi Family. Would it then be Okay?

http://home.iprimus.com.au/korob/fdtcards/Africa.html
http://home.iprimus.com.au/korob/fdtcards/Cards_Index.html

[rpannier]

1. Mugabe can scream all he wants about democracy

But he is one of the most anti-democratic leaders in the world.
To defend Mugabe on any level is just silly. I have friends who have been to that region and have reported back that thousands of men, women and children try to leave Zimbabwe every day to escape the ruthless oppression and miserable economy he has created. Zimbabwe used to be the bread basket of Africa, now there are severe shortages, people wait in long lines for food and many starve.
As to his "clampdown" on the media -- the answer is NO. Mugabe clamps down on anyone in the media who takes a different point of view than his. And, if you severely repress the media, you don't have a democracy.

[Virginian]

2. All journalists must be registered.

If they report anything unfavorable about Mugabe, they lose their privilege to practice journalism.

[dArKeR]

3. That sounds like Helen Thomas and the Bush White House in America.

Plus all of the reporters must submit their questions in advance.

Are you guys really being objective?

[rpannier]

4. Yes

A despotic dictator is a despotic dictator. I live in Asia and have talked to people who have been in the region, I have a friend working in South Africa right now.
Mugabe is recognized throughout most of Africa as a despot in the vein of a Robert Taylor. Mugabe suppresses all dissent within his country.
His failed economic and agricultural policies have sent the country from being a vibrant self-sufficient country into being a country where the majority of the people don't receive enough food.
Mugabe is a cancer. He needs to go. To try and defend Mugabe by saying look what shrub does is foolish. Wrong is wrong. shrub is wrong, but so is Mugabe.