Red News Readers,
Mandela's rebuke to Mugabe is timely. There may be a shift in thinking in South Africa. We can only hope that there is. The fact that Mugabe has been able to go on for so long hurting his people shames the world.
Jenny Haines
Mugabe's leadership a failure, says Mandela
By Europe correspondent Rafael Epstein, abc
June 26, 2008 - 7:58AMSource: ABC
Pressure increasing ... Nelson Mandela and Gordon Brown this week.
Former South African president Nelson Mandela has spoken out against Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe.
He was speaking in London after the British Government stripped Mr Mugabe of his honorary knighthood.
At a London dinner to mark his 90th birthday, Mr Mandela made a brief criticism as he listed global problems.
"We have seen the outbreak of violence against fellow Africans in our own country and the tragic failure of leadership in our neighbouring Zimbabwe," he said.
It is thought to be the first time he has made such an explicit public criticism.
The Queen has approved the annulment of Mr Mugabe's knighthood on the recommendation of Foreign Secretary David Miliband.
The Foreign Office said it was a mark of revulsion at his abuse of human rights and abject disregard for democracy.
The Government had ignored previous calls to strip him of his knighthood, fearing it would merely fuel the President's anti-British tirades.
And British Prime Minister Gordon Brown's senior Sport Minister has written to the England and Wales Cricket Board, insisting they cancel cricket tours involving Zimbabwe. They have done so.
Mr Brown's Government has also announced that it will extend economic sanctions.
That may mean extending the list of people in the regime who face financial and travel restrictions.
About Me
- JENNY'S RED NEWS
- Dear Fellow Bloggers, For some time I have thought about starting a left of centre news and commentary service and I have tried to do this by using email. But as some good, but email overloaded friends have suggested, a better way to go may be by blogging. So here it is! Jenny's Red News. My primary interests are left of centre politics and the very important question of how can we get left of centre parties, groups and grouplets in Australia working together more co-operatively. The right of centre predominates politics in this country at the present time, and they are on the march. We on the left of centre need to work together more co-operatively and constructively to put the left of centre agenda out there, for the perusal and consumption of the Australian people. Particular topics that will be reported on and on which comments are welcome are: Industrial relations - Opposition to Workchoices Refugee and Asylum Seekers Human Rights Civil Liberties Opposition to the Welfare to Work Changes Health System Reform Aboriginal Health and Reconciliation Jenny Haines posted by JENNY'S RED NEWS at 12:50 AM 0 comments