Comments on: About that ship, and about Venezuela… http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/archives/920 This is Zimbabwe is Sokwanele's pro-democracy activist blog. It provides grassroots news and views from Zimbabwe. Wed, 07 Jan 2009 22:36:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Sokwanele http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/archives/920/comment-page-1#comment-224378 Sokwanele Sat, 17 May 2008 13:24:05 +0000 http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/?p=920#comment-224378 <p>We've just added a post to our blog titled <a href="971" title="Weapons delivered via the An Yue Jiang have allegedly arrived in Harare" rel="nofollow">Weapons delivered via the An Yue Jiang have allegedly arrived in Harare</a></p> <p>I'm going to close comments on this post and ask you to take the discussion to the latest entry on the story.</p> <p>Hope</p><div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('224378','Sokwanele'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> --- <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('224378','Sokwanele','<p>We\'ve just added a post to our blog titled <a href=\"971\" title=\"Weapons delivered via the An Yue Jiang have allegedly arrived in Harare\" rel=\"nofollow\">Weapons delivered via the An Yue Jiang have allegedly arrived in Harare<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p>I\'m going to close comments on this post and ask you to take the discussion to the latest entry on the story.<\/p>\r\n<p>Hope<\/p>'); return false;">Quote from this comment</a></div> We’ve just added a post to our blog titled Weapons delivered via the An Yue Jiang have allegedly arrived in Harare

I’m going to close comments on this post and ask you to take the discussion to the latest entry on the story.

Hope

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]]> By: beng http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/archives/920/comment-page-1#comment-213081 beng Thu, 01 May 2008 23:37:43 +0000 http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/?p=920#comment-213081 The venezuela bit seems to me to be saying that if the Chinese can't sell the arms off to some African country, they may sell them to Venezuela. It is not saying that they will send them to Venezuela in order to send them to Zim.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('213081','beng'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> --- <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('213081','beng','The venezuela bit seems to me to be saying that if the Chinese can\'t sell the arms off to some African country, they may sell them to Venezuela. It is not saying that they will send them to Venezuela in order to send them to Zim.'); return false;">Quote from this comment</a></div> The venezuela bit seems to me to be saying that if the Chinese can’t sell the arms off to some African country, they may sell them to Venezuela. It is not saying that they will send them to Venezuela in order to send them to Zim.
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]]> By: BM http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/archives/920/comment-page-1#comment-209957 BM Tue, 29 Apr 2008 10:13:40 +0000 http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/?p=920#comment-209957 See new posting on this blog about new attempt by Mugabe to get the arms shipment with Malawi involvement.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('209957','BM'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> --- <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('209957','BM','See new posting on this blog about new attempt by Mugabe to get the arms shipment with Malawi involvement.'); return false;">Quote from this comment</a></div> See new posting on this blog about new attempt by Mugabe to get the arms shipment with Malawi involvement.
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]]> By: Tara http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/archives/920/comment-page-1#comment-209324 Tara Mon, 28 Apr 2008 19:42:56 +0000 http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/?p=920#comment-209324 Right now, I'm just so happy with every person,the unions, orginisations or countries which condemned the shipment of arms. It is infinitely preferable to hearing "What crisis?". The irony is that had it not been for that ship, there may not have been so much international attention on the situation in Zimbabwe. Support came from all corners of the Globe. What a story to tell our grandchildren one day.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('209324','Tara'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> --- <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('209324','Tara','Right now, I\'m just so happy with every person,the unions, orginisations or countries which condemned the shipment of arms. It is infinitely preferable to hearing \"What crisis?\". The irony is that had it not been for that ship, there may not have been so much international attention on the situation in Zimbabwe. Support came from all corners of the Globe. What a story to tell our grandchildren one day.'); return false;">Quote from this comment</a></div> Right now, I’m just so happy with every person,the unions, orginisations or countries which condemned the shipment of arms. It is infinitely preferable to hearing “What crisis?”. The irony is that had it not been for that ship, there may not have been so much international attention on the situation in Zimbabwe. Support came from all corners of the Globe. What a story to tell our grandchildren one day.
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]]> By: A mere spot in the universe http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/archives/920/comment-page-1#comment-209301 A mere spot in the universe Mon, 28 Apr 2008 19:07:51 +0000 http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/?p=920#comment-209301 Lets just for one moment believe that the story about the trident is true, although it's not that important if it's not. The fact is the threat to Mugabe and his cronies is very real indeed. The west just now are looking very hard for a JUST war to get into. Nothing can be more just than the downfall of Mugabe and the freeing of the Zimbabwean people. The situation is an ideal one for PM Gorden Brown to raise his flagging ratings. In modern wars they tend to use cruise missiles to hit the leaders palaces and mansions first. Now it just so happens that I'm in the market to buy a few second hand Chinese dark blue, glazed roof tiles.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('209301','A mere spot in the universe'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> --- <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('209301','A mere spot in the universe','Lets just for one moment believe that the story about the trident is true,\r\n although it\'s not that important if it\'s not.\r\nThe fact is the threat to Mugabe and his cronies is very real indeed.\r\nThe west just now are looking very hard for a JUST war to get into.\r\nNothing can be more just than the downfall of Mugabe and the freeing of the Zimbabwean\r\npeople.\r\nThe situation is an ideal one for PM Gorden Brown to raise his flagging ratings.\r\nIn modern wars they tend to use cruise missiles to hit the leaders palaces and mansions first.\r\nNow it just so happens that I\'m in the market to buy a few second hand Chinese dark blue,\r\nglazed roof tiles.'); return false;">Quote from this comment</a></div> Lets just for one moment believe that the story about the trident is true,
although it’s not that important if it’s not.
The fact is the threat to Mugabe and his cronies is very real indeed.
The west just now are looking very hard for a JUST war to get into.
Nothing can be more just than the downfall of Mugabe and the freeing of the Zimbabwean
people.
The situation is an ideal one for PM Gorden Brown to raise his flagging ratings.
In modern wars they tend to use cruise missiles to hit the leaders palaces and mansions first.
Now it just so happens that I’m in the market to buy a few second hand Chinese dark blue,
glazed roof tiles.
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]]> By: rcbowman http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/archives/920/comment-page-1#comment-209287 rcbowman Mon, 28 Apr 2008 18:41:24 +0000 http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/?p=920#comment-209287 Why is it that there are no photographs of the ship coming out of Luanda? Even if there are no foreign reporters on hand, the union contacts there have to have one or two cameras available... I want to see some sign that someone in Angola is being an on-the-spot watchdog. The international union umbrella groups should be making sure this happens. So, of course, should the media.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('209287','rcbowman'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> --- <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('209287','rcbowman','Why is it that there are no photographs of the ship coming out of Luanda? Even if there are no foreign reporters on hand, the union contacts there have to have one or two cameras available... \r\n\r\nI want to see some sign that someone in Angola is being an on-the-spot watchdog. The international union umbrella groups should be making sure this happens. So, of course, should the media.'); return false;">Quote from this comment</a></div> Why is it that there are no photographs of the ship coming out of Luanda? Even if there are no foreign reporters on hand, the union contacts there have to have one or two cameras available…

I want to see some sign that someone in Angola is being an on-the-spot watchdog. The international union umbrella groups should be making sure this happens. So, of course, should the media.

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]]> By: Andrew http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/archives/920/comment-page-1#comment-209243 Andrew Mon, 28 Apr 2008 17:21:02 +0000 http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/?p=920#comment-209243 How is it that the ship still has fuel? Who re-fueled it? If it docks in Luanda then I think Malcolm (??) had it right - future headline "The containers were unloaded due to a clerical error - we are investigating their whereabouts" will become a reality for sure.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('209243','Andrew'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> --- <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('209243','Andrew','How is it that the ship still has fuel? Who re-fueled it?\r\n\r\nIf it docks in Luanda then I think Malcolm (??) had it right - future headline \"The containers were unloaded due to a clerical error - we are investigating their whereabouts\" will become a reality for sure.'); return false;">Quote from this comment</a></div> How is it that the ship still has fuel? Who re-fueled it?

If it docks in Luanda then I think Malcolm (??) had it right - future headline “The containers were unloaded due to a clerical error - we are investigating their whereabouts” will become a reality for sure.

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]]> By: scotchcart http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/archives/920/comment-page-1#comment-209141 scotchcart Mon, 28 Apr 2008 14:51:45 +0000 http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/?p=920#comment-209141 We are playing grown-up games now. We must learn to exploit moves in the international arena. We will know that we are really 'grown up' when everyone is complaining about us!! I am so glad Tendai Biti will be at the UN in New York tomorrow. I feel, at long last, the mantle of leadership is moving from one generation to another (having skipped one or two!). Just hope he keeps it simple! Just because it is the UN doesn't mean people can follow a thesis . . Words of one syllable. We won. We have the figures. Please support us by a, b, c. We would like this time frame and humanitarian support of x, y, z. This is where we are. It is amazing. It is not the end but this is significantly forward. I take my hats off to their tenacity and to the people on the ground.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('209141','scotchcart'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> --- <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('209141','scotchcart','We are playing grown-up games now. We must learn to exploit moves in the international arena.\r\n\r\nWe will know that we are really \'grown up\' when everyone is complaining about us!!\r\n\r\nI am so glad Tendai Biti will be at the UN in New York tomorrow. I feel, at long last, the mantle of leadership is moving from one generation to another (having skipped one or two!).\r\n\r\nJust hope he keeps it simple! Just because it is the UN doesn\'t mean people can follow a thesis . . Words of one syllable. We won. We have the figures. Please support us by a, b, c. We would like this time frame and humanitarian support of x, y, z. \r\n\r\nThis is where we are. It is amazing. It is not the end but this is significantly forward. I take my hats off to their tenacity and to the people on the ground.'); return false;">Quote from this comment</a></div> We are playing grown-up games now. We must learn to exploit moves in the international arena.

We will know that we are really ‘grown up’ when everyone is complaining about us!!

I am so glad Tendai Biti will be at the UN in New York tomorrow. I feel, at long last, the mantle of leadership is moving from one generation to another (having skipped one or two!).

Just hope he keeps it simple! Just because it is the UN doesn’t mean people can follow a thesis . . Words of one syllable. We won. We have the figures. Please support us by a, b, c. We would like this time frame and humanitarian support of x, y, z.

This is where we are. It is amazing. It is not the end but this is significantly forward. I take my hats off to their tenacity and to the people on the ground.

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]]> By: Durbs http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/archives/920/comment-page-1#comment-209126 Durbs Mon, 28 Apr 2008 14:43:17 +0000 http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/?p=920#comment-209126 You don't think Bruno's comment #207 on "Action: Stop the An Yue Jiang from delivering Chinese weapons to Zimbabwe" mentioning that the arms may have been offloaded in Angola, might be plausible? Anyone had any further news on that one? If it is a possibility that the weapons have been offloaded or part of the order offloaded then the containers destination should be monitored.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('209126','Durbs'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> --- <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('209126','Durbs','You don\'t think Bruno\'s comment #207 on \"Action: Stop the An Yue Jiang from delivering Chinese weapons to Zimbabwe\" mentioning that the arms may have been offloaded in Angola, might be plausible? Anyone had any further news on that one?\r\n\r\nIf it is a possibility that the weapons have been offloaded or part of the order offloaded then the containers destination should be monitored.'); return false;">Quote from this comment</a></div> You don’t think Bruno’s comment #207 on “Action: Stop the An Yue Jiang from delivering Chinese weapons to Zimbabwe” mentioning that the arms may have been offloaded in Angola, might be plausible? Anyone had any further news on that one?

If it is a possibility that the weapons have been offloaded or part of the order offloaded then the containers destination should be monitored.

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]]> By: scotchcart http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/archives/920/comment-page-1#comment-209108 scotchcart Mon, 28 Apr 2008 14:22:47 +0000 http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/?p=920#comment-209108 Good points. I am also curious to see if Angola will stand up and say here is the proof the arms left their shores. Maybe Nose Week knows who loses out if the weapons are returned. The marginal cost of shipping them wouldn't be that much I think. And it seems they already have the ivory in payment. The Chinese are proud though. Chinese students abroad are demonstrating about the treatment of the flame - now they have the hang of it! I don't think we really feature in their consciousness. It is also true the west is smacking China across the face with a wet fish. We must be clear. We want to trade with China. We are more than happy to balance the power of the west. The timing of the delivery was a mistake for them. It was oddly a blessing for Africa - it has united us. We only have three issues - to get rid of the shipment, to make sure there is no more (consistently with the China Code of Conduct) from them or anyone else, and to move on. We like to trade! But not guns please!<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('209108','scotchcart'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> --- <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('209108','scotchcart','Good points. I am also curious to see if Angola will stand up and say here is the proof the arms left their shores.\r\n\r\nMaybe Nose Week knows who loses out if the weapons are returned. The marginal cost of shipping them wouldn\'t be that much I think. And it seems they already have the ivory in payment.\r\n\r\nThe Chinese are proud though. Chinese students abroad are demonstrating about the treatment of the flame - now they have the hang of it! I don\'t think we really feature in their consciousness. It is also true the west is smacking China across the face with a wet fish.\r\n\r\nWe must be clear. We want to trade with China. We are more than happy to balance the power of the west. The timing of the delivery was a mistake for them. It was oddly a blessing for Africa - it has united us. \r\n\r\nWe only have three issues - to get rid of the shipment, to make sure there is no more (consistently with the China Code of Conduct) from them or anyone else, and to move on. We like to trade! But not guns please!'); return false;">Quote from this comment</a></div> Good points. I am also curious to see if Angola will stand up and say here is the proof the arms left their shores.

Maybe Nose Week knows who loses out if the weapons are returned. The marginal cost of shipping them wouldn’t be that much I think. And it seems they already have the ivory in payment.

The Chinese are proud though. Chinese students abroad are demonstrating about the treatment of the flame - now they have the hang of it! I don’t think we really feature in their consciousness. It is also true the west is smacking China across the face with a wet fish.

We must be clear. We want to trade with China. We are more than happy to balance the power of the west. The timing of the delivery was a mistake for them. It was oddly a blessing for Africa - it has united us.

We only have three issues - to get rid of the shipment, to make sure there is no more (consistently with the China Code of Conduct) from them or anyone else, and to move on. We like to trade! But not guns please!

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]]> By: Anon http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/archives/920/comment-page-1#comment-209103 Anon Mon, 28 Apr 2008 14:18:21 +0000 http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/?p=920#comment-209103 It is clear that Mugabe is desperate for arms, as evidenced by the fact that he is buying from China as opposed to his old friends in North Korea. The USA recently quietly bought off the DPRK in terms of African arms sales, it gave Ethiopia $100 million to spend on North Korean weapons and "training" personnel for use in it's current war. No doubt the deal was that the USA would look the other way while it's allies bought arms from the DPRK in exchange for the DPRK not selling to US enemies. It does not matter to Kim who pays him as long as long as he gets paid. In a way this is a good sign for the people of Zimbabwe, if the regime is so rotten that even someone like Kim Jong Il will not sell you weapons then your time is probably running out.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('209103','Anon'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> --- <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('209103','Anon','It is clear that Mugabe is desperate for arms, as evidenced by the fact that he is buying from China as opposed to his old friends in North Korea. \r\n\r\nThe USA recently quietly bought off the DPRK in terms of African arms sales, it gave Ethiopia $100 million to spend on North Korean weapons and \"training\" personnel for use in it\'s current war. No doubt the deal was that the USA would look the other way while it\'s allies bought arms from the DPRK in exchange for the DPRK not selling to US enemies. It does not matter to Kim who pays him as long as long as he gets paid.\r\n\r\nIn a way this is a good sign for the people of Zimbabwe, if the regime is so rotten that even someone like Kim Jong Il will not sell you weapons then your time is probably running out.'); return false;">Quote from this comment</a></div> It is clear that Mugabe is desperate for arms, as evidenced by the fact that he is buying from China as opposed to his old friends in North Korea.

The USA recently quietly bought off the DPRK in terms of African arms sales, it gave Ethiopia $100 million to spend on North Korean weapons and “training” personnel for use in it’s current war. No doubt the deal was that the USA would look the other way while it’s allies bought arms from the DPRK in exchange for the DPRK not selling to US enemies. It does not matter to Kim who pays him as long as long as he gets paid.

In a way this is a good sign for the people of Zimbabwe, if the regime is so rotten that even someone like Kim Jong Il will not sell you weapons then your time is probably running out.

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]]> By: Sokwanele http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/archives/920/comment-page-1#comment-209082 Sokwanele Mon, 28 Apr 2008 13:57:33 +0000 http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/?p=920#comment-209082 The first part is implausible to me too CC. Hollywood drama. The Chavez part .. maybe. But I'm sure at some point the cost of this shipment travelling around the world and the hassle of getting them from A to Zim would surely mean they'll just write the cost off and order a new batch.....? Hope<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('209082','Sokwanele'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> --- <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('209082','Sokwanele','The first part is implausible to me too CC. Hollywood drama. The Chavez part .. maybe. But I\'m sure at some point the cost of this shipment travelling around the world and the hassle of getting them from A to Zim would surely mean they\'ll just write the cost off and order a new batch.....?\r\n\r\nHope'); return false;">Quote from this comment</a></div> The first part is implausible to me too CC. Hollywood drama. The Chavez part .. maybe. But I’m sure at some point the cost of this shipment travelling around the world and the hassle of getting them from A to Zim would surely mean they’ll just write the cost off and order a new batch…..?

Hope

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]]> By: Mike http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/archives/920/comment-page-1#comment-209081 Mike Mon, 28 Apr 2008 13:55:39 +0000 http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/?p=920#comment-209081 It sounds as though the British and the Americans are trying to claim credit for something that Africans have done for themselves.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('209081','Mike'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> --- <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('209081','Mike','It sounds as though the British and the Americans are trying to claim credit for something that Africans have done for themselves.'); return false;">Quote from this comment</a></div> It sounds as though the British and the Americans are trying to claim credit for something that Africans have done for themselves.
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]]> By: Wally http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/archives/920/comment-page-1#comment-209077 Wally Mon, 28 Apr 2008 13:49:26 +0000 http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/?p=920#comment-209077 I had a strong suspicion: the west countries kept so tight an eye on those weapons, their basic aim is to deface China and eventually, they can sell the weapons theirselves. but, obviously, they grasp a seeming right cause and act timely. if there is no profit, no one will wake up earlier.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('209077','Wally'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> --- <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('209077','Wally','I had a strong suspicion:\r\nthe west countries kept so tight an eye on those weapons, their basic aim is to deface China and eventually, they can sell the weapons theirselves.\r\nbut, obviously, they grasp a seeming right cause and act timely.\r\nif there is no profit, no one will wake up earlier.'); return false;">Quote from this comment</a></div> I had a strong suspicion:
the west countries kept so tight an eye on those weapons, their basic aim is to deface China and eventually, they can sell the weapons theirselves.
but, obviously, they grasp a seeming right cause and act timely.
if there is no profit, no one will wake up earlier.
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]]> By: kisiki http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/archives/920/comment-page-1#comment-209042 kisiki Mon, 28 Apr 2008 13:14:00 +0000 http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/?p=920#comment-209042 Thank you sokwanele for informing us about what is happening in Zimbabwe. I believe it is time for Mugabe to leave power for that nation to be peaceful. Weaponry from China is something to fight as AFRICANS. We don't need blood in this continent.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('209042','kisiki'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> --- <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('209042','kisiki','Thank you sokwanele for informing us about what is happening in Zimbabwe. \r\n\r\nI believe it is time for Mugabe to leave power for that nation to be peaceful. \r\n\r\nWeaponry from China is something to fight as AFRICANS. We don\'t need blood in this continent.'); return false;">Quote from this comment</a></div> Thank you sokwanele for informing us about what is happening in Zimbabwe.

I believe it is time for Mugabe to leave power for that nation to be peaceful.

Weaponry from China is something to fight as AFRICANS. We don’t need blood in this continent.

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]]> By: CC http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/archives/920/comment-page-1#comment-209039 CC Mon, 28 Apr 2008 13:11:05 +0000 http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/?p=920#comment-209039 Hmmm.. the first part is slightly puzzling.. It's generally imperative to British national security that no-one knows where a Trident is in case of nuclear attack. Most of a Trident crew don't even know their Trident is at any given time!! It seems unlikely that anyone would effectively be broadcasting the location of a Trident by saying it's following the ship. Sure, it's not a bad deterrent, but what are they threatening to do, nuke the ship?!? And a Trident is a mighty expensive surveillance tool.. Perhaps to be taken with a pinch of salt for now at least? It's either a very, very serious breach of British national security or an incredibly dangerous approach to (nuclear) war (with China) which does not reflect the current diplomatic situation, bad as it is. None of this detracts from what is great news in many respects. The days are numbered for that shipment. And I've been hearing a lot of journalists asking questions about Zimbabwe and the Olympics. This is absolute folly for China - and they know it.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('209039','CC'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> --- <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('209039','CC','Hmmm.. the first part is slightly puzzling..\r\nIt\'s generally imperative to British national security that no-one knows where a Trident is in case of nuclear attack. Most of a Trident crew don\'t even know their Trident is at any given time!! It seems unlikely that anyone would effectively be broadcasting the location of a Trident by saying it\'s following the ship.\r\nSure, it\'s not a bad deterrent, but what are they threatening to do, nuke the ship?!? And a Trident is a mighty expensive surveillance tool.. \r\nPerhaps to be taken with a pinch of salt for now at least? It\'s either a very, very serious breach of British national security or an incredibly dangerous approach to (nuclear) war (with China) which does not reflect the current diplomatic situation, bad as it is. \r\n\r\nNone of this detracts from what is great news in many respects. The days are numbered for that shipment.\r\nAnd I\'ve been hearing a lot of journalists asking questions about Zimbabwe and the Olympics. This is absolute folly for China - and they know it.'); return false;">Quote from this comment</a></div> Hmmm.. the first part is slightly puzzling..
It’s generally imperative to British national security that no-one knows where a Trident is in case of nuclear attack. Most of a Trident crew don’t even know their Trident is at any given time!! It seems unlikely that anyone would effectively be broadcasting the location of a Trident by saying it’s following the ship.
Sure, it’s not a bad deterrent, but what are they threatening to do, nuke the ship?!? And a Trident is a mighty expensive surveillance tool..
Perhaps to be taken with a pinch of salt for now at least? It’s either a very, very serious breach of British national security or an incredibly dangerous approach to (nuclear) war (with China) which does not reflect the current diplomatic situation, bad as it is.

None of this detracts from what is great news in many respects. The days are numbered for that shipment.
And I’ve been hearing a lot of journalists asking questions about Zimbabwe and the Olympics. This is absolute folly for China - and they know it.

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]]> By: scotchcart http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/archives/920/comment-page-1#comment-209038 scotchcart Mon, 28 Apr 2008 13:04:42 +0000 http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/?p=920#comment-209038 No news of the creative accounting as yet? Biti will address the UN Security Council tomorrow. http://www.sabcnews.com/africa/southern_africa/0,2172,168514,00.html This is a significant shift, don't you think?<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('209038','scotchcart'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> --- <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('209038','scotchcart','No news of the creative accounting as yet?\r\n\r\nBiti will address the UN Security Council tomorrow. \r\nhttp:\/\/www.sabcnews.com\/africa\/southern_africa\/0,2172,168514,00.html\r\n\r\nThis is a significant shift, don\'t you think?'); return false;">Quote from this comment</a></div> No news of the creative accounting as yet?

Biti will address the UN Security Council tomorrow.
http://www.sabcnews.com/africa/southern_africa/0,2172,168514,00.html

This is a significant shift, don’t you think?

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]]> By: Tara http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/archives/920/comment-page-1#comment-209036 Tara Mon, 28 Apr 2008 12:57:24 +0000 http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/?p=920#comment-209036 A shipment of arms, such as this shipment, does not merit the expense, trouble, not to mention the negative publicity, etc. they are prepared to go through. I can not believe it is a question of excellence of service, as they have said the order was placed a year ago - so it's been a very, very slow boat. Seriously, I'd love to know exactly what the payment entails for this kind of service. Maybe the rumours about certain mine/s being sold to them is true? If not, I can only say that never in the history of mankind has one ship tried for so long and so hard to deliver its cargo.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('209036','Tara'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> --- <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('209036','Tara','A shipment of arms, such as this shipment, does not merit the expense, trouble, not to mention the negative publicity, etc. they are prepared to go through. I can not believe it is a question of excellence of service, as they have said the order was placed a year ago - so it\'s been a very, very slow boat. Seriously, I\'d love to know exactly what the payment entails for this kind of service. Maybe the rumours about certain mine\/s being sold to them is true? If not, I can only say that never in the history of mankind has one ship tried for so long and so hard to deliver its cargo.'); return false;">Quote from this comment</a></div> A shipment of arms, such as this shipment, does not merit the expense, trouble, not to mention the negative publicity, etc. they are prepared to go through. I can not believe it is a question of excellence of service, as they have said the order was placed a year ago - so it’s been a very, very slow boat. Seriously, I’d love to know exactly what the payment entails for this kind of service. Maybe the rumours about certain mine/s being sold to them is true? If not, I can only say that never in the history of mankind has one ship tried for so long and so hard to deliver its cargo.
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]]> By: Dave http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/archives/920/comment-page-1#comment-208982 Dave Mon, 28 Apr 2008 12:08:26 +0000 http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/?p=920#comment-208982 At last...They've admitted it's War.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('208982','Dave'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> --- <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('208982','Dave','At last...They\'ve admitted it\'s War.'); return false;">Quote from this comment</a></div> At last…They’ve admitted it’s War.
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]]> By: Malcolm http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/archives/920/comment-page-1#comment-208981 Malcolm Mon, 28 Apr 2008 12:05:39 +0000 http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/?p=920#comment-208981 All of this makes you wonder just how legal this weapons shipment is afterall, if it's going around the world trying to find a likely buyer! Maybe the Chinese have shot themselves in the foot over this one by tacitly, however inadvertently, implicating themselves in possible illegal gun-running. Perhaps there can be a sufficient argument for the ship to be boarded and seized by an international navy.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('208981','Malcolm'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> --- <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('208981','Malcolm','All of this makes you wonder just how legal this weapons shipment is afterall, if it\'s going around the world trying to find a likely buyer! Maybe the Chinese have shot themselves in the foot over this one by tacitly, however inadvertently, implicating themselves in possible illegal gun-running. Perhaps there can be a sufficient argument for the ship to be boarded and seized by an international navy.'); return false;">Quote from this comment</a></div> All of this makes you wonder just how legal this weapons shipment is afterall, if it’s going around the world trying to find a likely buyer! Maybe the Chinese have shot themselves in the foot over this one by tacitly, however inadvertently, implicating themselves in possible illegal gun-running. Perhaps there can be a sufficient argument for the ship to be boarded and seized by an international navy.
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