Robert Mugabe

[madein1978]

Why doesn't Britain or America sort out the dictatorship that is Robert Mugabe? I think his rule is just as bad as Saddam Husseins was if not worse. Controversial question I know, but what do you all think?

[len_1]

I think the british government should sort out this country first and fully instead of blair sticking his nose up the US backside and being involved in things that cost us billions of which we see no benefit.

[campbellking]

Because there isn't a lot of oil in Zimbabwe.

[madein1978]

Yes! Someone said it, no Oil, I think so too, but it's only part of the reason. But, I'm serious, The US and Britain went into Iraq on the pretense of saving the Iraqi People from an evil dictator and there was some load of bull about some bombs, Mugabe is the same without the bombs and the oil, and nowt's being done and it should be, now I wonder why?

[noxlumos]

You've answered your own question madein, there is no financial or strategic gains to be made from wading into Zimbabwe, wheras there clearly is in Iraq. Cynical but true that Tony and George don't give a flying **** about people or suffering just about money and power.

[madein1978]

Yes I suppose I have answered my own question, but I wondered if anyone thought the same as I. Theres a real injustice happening in Zimbabwe with that w*nker in charge of it, and no one seems interested in helping them, as people have said, no oil, no money, Dumb an Dumber aint interested!

[jump79]

I think it's because the UK/USA care so much more about the plight of their dear muslim cousins. Right now, they are just too busy spreading democracy all over the Middle East (the oil is a bonus of course) to bother about some Mugabe.

[bernardo]

The reasons for invading Iraq and overthrowing Saddam Hussein were (as far as I am concerned) (1) to overthrow Saddam Hussein and prevent him from murdering tens of thousands of Iraqis (2) to prevent aggressive military attacks by Iraq on its neighbours (3) to secure economic interests such as friendly control of oil supplies. These reasons do not apply in Zimbabwe. The rule of Mugabe in Zimbabwe is not as bad, because Mugabe has not presided over the deaths of a million paople, and has no record of attacking or invading neighbouring countries. What people find most objectionable about Mugabe's governemnt is the manifestation of the land reform programme, which some consider to be quite reasonable. Invading Zimbabwe to overthrow Mugabe would therefore be seen as an act of imperialist aggression and interference.

[Booldawg]

wading into Zimbabwe and spending millions on a war in a country that has no beneficial minerals or economic return is no way to run a country.

[johnlambert]

try not to forget that Britain once ruled over most of Africa, if we went in again, (even for the most noble of reasons) we, and the Americans would be seen as trying to regain the Empire

[Dom Tuk]

We went into Iraq...ie the UK went into Iraq for the reason stated by your PM. We went in because Iraq had weapons of mass destruction, they were a clear and present danger and the weapons could be deployed in 45 mins. Regime change I am afraid is illegal. We cannot go and change an elected government in another country. How would you like it if some other country came and took away the powers from this labour govt that you have elected.......on some pretext that the workers pensions are not protected or that the elderly are not being looked after.......anything goes in this world of might is right. and oh by the way more than 150 Iraqis were killed in the past 2 days....add that to the running total you are keeping while you mull over the hose pipe ban on this wet Monday.

[buildersmate]

There are plenty of African nations who could put much more diplomatic and economic pressure than they currently do to help sort him out. No reason for the old colonial power to get involved.

[WendyS]

However much the people of Zimbabwe would like a foreign power to come and rescue them from Mugabe, I sadly don't think it will happen. There's no oil there and no stratetic advantage to be gained. Also I think that both the US and UK have well and truly burned their fingers over Iraq and it will be a long time before they're prepared or willing (or can afford to) embark on another venture of that kind.

[silversver]

Dont forget Iraq on one side and Afganistan on the other and in the middle we have Iran say no more.