Links ~ 25 July 2008

US Treasury blacklists Zimbabwe firms over Mugabe (Reuters)
WASHINGTON, July 25 (Reuters) – The U.S. Treasury Department on Friday moved to freeze assets of 17 business enterprises controlled by the Zimbabwean government because their support of President Robert Mugabe’s regime undermines democracy.

The Treasury said it is banning Americans from doing business with the entities, which include the Agricultural Development Bank of Zimbabwe and producers of minerals, steel, textiles, chemicals, and other services.

The action seeks to freeze any assets that the entities have under U.S. jurisdiction.

Mbeki lauded as Zimbabwe saviour at SAfrica-EU summit (AFP)
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has showered praise on South African President Thabo Mbeki for his (Mbeki’s) “bold and courageous” intervention in the political crisis in Zimbabwe. France holds the rotating presidency of the European Union (EU). The EU hosted the first ever EU – South Africa summit in Bordeaux, France this week.

Sarkozy said that the EU fully supports Mbeki as mediator and backs the idea that he should have more time. “Mbeki’s mediation must be supported,” he said, adding: “there is no other way possible now and everyone in Europe agrees on this.”

The EU – South African summit was however overshadowed by the political crisis in Zimbabwe and the directly opposed viewpoints of the countries with regard to ways of resolving the issue. The EU had enhanced sanctions against Zimbabwe on Tuesday despite the signing of a MoU between political parties in Zimbabwe.

Mbeki indicated, when asked by reporters, that he did not ask for a repeal of the sanctions. When asked if he was seeking a dignified exit for Mugabe, he said, “They (the Zimbabweans) will have to take the decision about who retires when. It’s not something that comes from the mediation,”

A distressing record of siding with the bad guys (Business Day)
There is a worrying trend in South Africa’s approach to Zimbabwe and other foreign policy issues. In the short period it has been a member of the UN Security Council, the South African government has shown an inclination to endorse authoritarianism. Not only has it failed to support the Zimbabwean resolution, it had previously given its tacit support for the military regime of Burma.

The Burmese resolution included an injunction to end the attacks on Burmese civilians, including sexual assault, the abduction, and acts of torture against minority groups and opposition supporters. South Africa had voted with Russia and China against a draft resolution.

South Africa hides behind an absolutist definition of sovereignty. Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan had said in his final speech that collective responsibility means, that respect for national sovereignty can no longer be used as a shield by governments intent on massacring their own people, or as an excuse for the rest of us to do nothing when such heinous crimes are committed.” South Africa should not pretend that governments have the right to slaughter their own people.

Differences Threaten Talks (RadioVOP)
Sharp differences between the MDC and Zanu-PF are threatening negotiations between the parties. Sources told Radio VOP that talks aimed at establishing a government of national unity are in jeopardy as the political parties are clashing on issues such as land redistribution, sanctions, the security of Mugabe’s henchmen and the structure of the unity government. Sources have warned that the talks could come to a premature end if the issues are not addressed in a satisfactory manner.

Sources said that one of the main source of contention was however the fate of members of the Mugabe’s Joint Operations Command (JOC). The MDC has insisted that those responsible for the violent campaign should be prosecuted for the crimes they have committed. Reportedly, Mugabe has indicated through his representatives that he would want to declare an amnesty for them if they were arrested.

What Mutambara Said Of MoU (Zimbabwe Independent)
For the full text of Prof. Arthur Mutambara’s speech on the MoU, please follow the above link.

Human Rights Groups Outline Possible Legal Case Against Robert Mugabe (VOA)
The ENOUGH Project has issued a report that outlines the legal options, which could be taken against Robert Mugabe. David Crane, former chief prosecutor for the UN-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone, is one of the authors of the report.

Crane said that not only is it feasible to take legal action against Mugabe, “President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe can and should be prosecuted for the crimes against humanity perpetrated against his people since 1981. And we’re looking at over tens of thousands of his own citizens, which he has allegedly murdered.”

The decision to prosecute Mugabe “boils down to that bright red threat in all of this called politics,” said Crane. It’ll be a political decision, particularly by the African Union, particularly by regional leaders, such as Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, to realize that African leaders who destroy their own citizens have to be held accountable.”

The legal case against President Mugabe is laid out in a paper from the ENOUGH Project and Impunity Watch called Justice for Zimbabwe, which Crane co-authored. It’s available at www.enoughproject.org or www.impunitywatch.net.

MDC businessman Brian James elected Mutare Mayor (SWRA)
MDC businessman Brian James is the newly elected Mayor of the City of Mutare. James was once arrested on suspicion of an alleged involvement in an assasination attempt on Robert Mugabe. All the newly elected councillors serving on the Mutare Council are from the MDC.

James said, “We have an overwhelming mandate, the mood on the ground is positive. The international recognition of what’s happening in the country is gelling into something positive… The talks in South Africa we hope will yield something positive so urban areas can deliver.”

Message To the Congress of the United States (White House)
A message by US President George Bush to the Congress of the United States, with regard to the widening of sanctions against Zimbabwe.

To read the complete text, follow the above link.

Poison used to inflict deadly injuries during Zanu PF violence (SWRA)
Zanu-PF militia had forced MDC activists in Chiweshe, Mashonaland Central Province, to drink Paraquat, a highly toxic Chinese herbicide. Hilton Chironga is one of the activists who were forced to drink the poison, had in the process sustained horrific facial injuries due to the poison. Chironga was made to drink the poison, as was his mother, sister and a neighbour. Chironga’s brother was shot dead by Zanu-PF militia on the same day.

Paraquat is used for weed control and is highly toxic if swallowed. One teaspoon of the active ingredient is enough to cause death in human. Death may occur up to 30 days after ingestion of the poison. Not only did the militia force people to drink the poison, they had dipped their weapons (knobkerries and sticks) in Paraquat before beating their victims. This has caused serious wounds that will not heal. Although the victims have been hospitalised, they have not received any help from Mugabe’s regime. These patients urgently need specialised medical treatment.

Photograph of the facial injuries of Hilton Chironga can be seen at the above link.

Civic leader arrested (The Zimbabwe Guardian)
The Regional Manager for the Civic Organisation Trust (Zimcet) Peter Muchengeti has been arrested on charges of “peddling malicious falsehoods to the international media and other hostile nations to Zimbabwe”. Chief Superintendent Oliver Mandipaka said that Muchengeti was found to be in possession of a document, allegedly authored by him, entitled ‘Blood by tracks in rural midlands as violence continues’. Muchengeti had alleged that six bodies recovered near a railway line, some 30 km from Gweru were residents from Matshekandumba village. Mandipaka said that the village does not exist and that the police had not found any bodies. Mandipaka said that an exercise book containing a list of 184 fictitious names of people allegedly killed by Zanu-PF militia and state security agents were recovered.

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