Daily Telegraph
Letter to the Daily Telegraph
12 June 2000
SIR – David Coltart’s article on Zimbabwe (opinion, June 6) made heartening – and depressing – reading. As the effect of the remorseless ratchet of Robert Mugabe’s subversive policies pervades life there, so the will of the international community to influence events seems to evaporate.
The stark reality is that the Harare despot and his Zanu-PF henchmen are embarked on the destructive phase of a Marxist-inspired vision to destroy the country’s constitutional integrity, economy and social cohesion. Faced with the ruinous consequences throughout southern Africa, is it really beyond the gumption of our Government to instigate steps that will give courage to the great majority of Zimbabweans to end Mr Mugabe’s regime?
Our decisive action in Sierra Leone contrasts with the weak and largely ineffective stance on Zimbabwe. Surely, on grounds of policy and national responsibility, Britain should take the lead in rescuing Zimbabwe. It is, after all, a country we created. As well as the immediate implementation of the election safeguards which Mr Coltart recommends, we should persuade the Commonwealth to deploy along the South African border an armed force, including military and civilian police, ready to guarantee the effectiveness of the monitors and election observers and the security of the voters.
We should also make it clear that we are withdrawing any agreement for the payment of compensation to dispossessed landowners and are prepared to give indefinite leave to remain in Britain to any Zimbabwean seeking sanctuary.
The Commonwealth is sheltering behind the fig leaf of its humiliating deal with Mr Mugabe to ensure a fair election, which is not happening. Having undertaken a duty to uphold the constitution, the Commonwealth is obliged to take all reasonable steps to protect the democratic process now in progress. Britain’s responsibility to give a lead is clear.