Political Vuvuzela

Asmal Seeks UN Pressure on Mugabe

Cape Argus (Cape Town)

7 August 2007
Posted to the web 7 August 2007

Angela Quintal

South Africa should turn to the UN Security Council to put pressure on
President Robert Mugabe to embrace democracy, says veteran ANC MP Kader
Asmal.

In one of the strongest statements to date from a senior ANC member and
former cabinet minister about the deteriorating situation in Zimbabwe, Asmal
said he favoured an "internationalized" approach.

South Africa is currently involved in mediation efforts sanctioned by the
Southern African Development Community.

However, if Asmal has anything to do with it, the pressure on Mugabe for
change will be wider and more drastic, including turning to the UN to turn
the screws on Mugabe.

Asmal told the Cape Town Press Club that he detested what he was seeing in
Zimbabwe and that he did not believe that Mugabe should stand in the next
election there.

In an interview after delivering the inaugural memorial lecture in honour of
the late Barry Streek, veteran South African journalist Asmal suggested
pressure on Zimbabwe should be "internationalized".

Asked what, if anything, South Africa could do, he said: "We have to work
out much more drastic options.

"I think we need to go to the Security Council. I know it is unpopular to
say that," Asmal said.

Asmal gave this response after a question was given to him by a member of the Cape Town Press Club, apparently I have some thing to do with this question being asked and so am some what responsible for getting this comment out of Asmal.

Kader Asmal was minister for Education and minister for Water Affairs in the ANC government. Asmal still sits on the ANC high council, politburo, what ever you want to call it. This statement is very relevant as it indicates, amongst some within the ANC, a shift from a previous position on Zim that was "nothing is broken, every thing to fine" to "some thing should be done about this regrettable state of affairs."

Its not perfect but it is a step in the right direction, this is, but only if the ANC decides to actually take that step.

Before I forget, here is another article about the same event. This article is more in dept and, I think, gives one a better idea of what was said at the actual event.

Malaysia welcomes Mugabe
06/08/2007 10:14 - (SA)

Langkawi - Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, internationally condemned for his nation's economic meltdown and human rights abuses, was given a warm welcome on Monday at an anti-poverty summit in Malaysia, said delegates.

While he had proved elusive to the packs of journalists and photographers staking out the venue, he was said to be actively taking part in round-table discussions with other African and Southeast Asian leaders.

Delegates warmly welcomed Mugabe to the three-day conference, known as the Langkawi International Dialogue, which had stirred some controversy because of his presence.

A Malaysian delegate said: "Mugabe is actually participating in all the events" and had been "hugged and kissed" by some participants.

The delegate, who didn't want to be identified, added that "other people had expressed unhappiness with Mugabe, but not at this conference."

Continue Reading here...

All I can say about this is that Malaysia's treatment of Mugabe and the support they give to his regime clearly indicates that country's lack of interest in human rights and the plight of the average Zimbabwean who is being brutally oppressed by Mugabe. It also makes the Malaysian government look like real hypocrites when it comes to 'supporting the poor and marginalised of the world.'