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David Miliband
(Archived), London
If your neighbour's house is on fire...
Posted 08 July 2008 by David Miliband
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I was told today about an old Soto proverb - that if your neighbour's house is on fire then your house is on fire. Today Zimbabwe feels like it is being set alight by brutal intimidation and political repression, never mind economic meltdown.
Yesterday I met some of the 2000 refugees from Zimbabwe seeking refuge in the Central Methodist Church in Johannesburg. Their stories are harrowing: death of loved ones, threats to life and livelihood. The Bishop told me of an upsurge in the last week/ten days of orphans arriving at the church. (He also told me about teachers among the refugees setting up care and teaching for refugee children). I also saw the social strains arriving from the mass exodus of 2-3 million Zimbabweans into South Africa - in Alexandra township local residents at the scene of recent "xenophobic violence" talking about the danger posed to their society by foreigners.
Mugabe has never been weaker or more isolated yet his hold on the central institutions of state power - central bank, army command - mean he is not yet out of power. That makes the discussions at the UN this week especially important. Travel and financial sanctions on named members of the regime - plus an international arms embargo - would put the squeeze on the regime in a way that they have not been squeezed before.
Nine votes are needed ... without a veto from any of the permanent members of the UNSC.
David Miliband
08 July 2008
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I was really glad that you took the opportunity to visit the Zimbabwean refugees in Johannesburg and...<<
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Microfinance- "This revolutionary tool has opened up opportunities for many of the world’s poorest...<<
Mrs Maggie Snook
08 July 2008
08 July 2008
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1
>> I was really glad that you took the opportunity to visit the Zimbabwean refugees in Johannesburg and to hear eyewitness accounts of the horror that is engulfing that beautiful country and it's people. I am also pleased at the efforts of the international community to bring an end to Mugabe's tyrranical rule. I believe more pressure must be put on Mugabe by the African nations so that he has no choice but to go. They have been trying to negotiate with him for years now and look where it has got us! He is not interested in negotiations and has said himself that that he will be in power until he dies. So who is going to stop him? Who will end the horror? The time for quiet diplomacy is finished. It is time for Thabo Mbeki and Africa to take a much tougher stand for democracy and human rights. The last weeks have shown Mugabe's true colours to the world. He has relinquished all rights, puppet or otherwise, to hold any position of power in that country. The people deserve more. We must also remember that the elections in which Tsvangarai won the majority, were still manipulated in Mugabe's favour and did not take into account the millions of refugees around the world who should have been entitled to a vote. Anyone who knows the situation in Zimbabwe will know that if anyone votes for Mugabe it is because they are intimidated or bribed. <<
>> I was really glad that you took the opportunity to visit the Zimbabwean refugees in Johannesburg and to hear eyewitness accounts of the horror that is engulfing that beautiful country and it's people. I am also pleased at the efforts of the international community to bring an end to Mugabe's tyrranical rule. I believe more pressure must be put on Mugabe by the African nations so that he has no choice but to go. They have been trying to negotiate with him for years now and look where it has got us! He is not interested in negotiations and has said himself that that he will be in power until he dies. So who is going to stop him? Who will end the horror? The time for quiet diplomacy is finished. It is time for Thabo Mbeki and Africa to take a much tougher stand for democracy and human rights. The last weeks have shown Mugabe's true colours to the world. He has relinquished all rights, puppet or otherwise, to hold any position of power in that country. The people deserve more. We must also remember that the elections in which Tsvangarai won the majority, were still manipulated in Mugabe's favour and did not take into account the millions of refugees around the world who should have been entitled to a vote. Anyone who knows the situation in Zimbabwe will know that if anyone votes for Mugabe it is because they are intimidated or bribed. <<
Concerned
08 Jul 2008
08 Jul 2008
2
>> Microfinance- "This revolutionary tool has opened up opportunities for many of the world’s poorest people to earn a living over the last three decades, and is currently riding on a surge of popularity. Commercial interest is growing, and since we last took action on the issue in March the World Bank has made a welcome commitment to doubling its investment in microfinance programmes. However, there is evidence that the neediest people – those living on less than 50p a day – are not benefiting from all this growth. As it the sector becomes more commercial, development institutions like the World Bank should be playing a key role in ensuring microfinance reaches the poorest communities." This is a paradigm leap in helping fund poor families in very poor countries. There are some magnificent success stories , it is a betterway of ensuring that the neediest receive help rather than piling into third world government coffers- which are probably bursting anyway! Yes , I expect you had a shock looking at Alexandra Township- as well as Soweto, as much as I did last year. These people are energetic and vital and make the best out of being secure and ready to achieve their limited goals. <<
>> Microfinance- "This revolutionary tool has opened up opportunities for many of the world’s poorest people to earn a living over the last three decades, and is currently riding on a surge of popularity. Commercial interest is growing, and since we last took action on the issue in March the World Bank has made a welcome commitment to doubling its investment in microfinance programmes. However, there is evidence that the neediest people – those living on less than 50p a day – are not benefiting from all this growth. As it the sector becomes more commercial, development institutions like the World Bank should be playing a key role in ensuring microfinance reaches the poorest communities." This is a paradigm leap in helping fund poor families in very poor countries. There are some magnificent success stories , it is a betterway of ensuring that the neediest receive help rather than piling into third world government coffers- which are probably bursting anyway! Yes , I expect you had a shock looking at Alexandra Township- as well as Soweto, as much as I did last year. These people are energetic and vital and make the best out of being secure and ready to achieve their limited goals. <<
Mrs Maggie Snook
08 Jul 2008
08 Jul 2008
3
>> David, I think that everyone must be pleased that you and now the G8 leaders are speaking out. But, if we agree that the recent 'election' was not a reflection of the will of the people, why do we continue to refer to Mr Mugabe as 'President'? I know that there are international rules, but why can we not make a stand and make our position clear by using 'Mr' or 'the former President' - both of which are true, accurate and polite? And even if the Government has international rules to adhere to, can we not lobby broadcasters and the other media to take up the campaign for accurate appelations? Rob <<
>> David, I think that everyone must be pleased that you and now the G8 leaders are speaking out. But, if we agree that the recent 'election' was not a reflection of the will of the people, why do we continue to refer to Mr Mugabe as 'President'? I know that there are international rules, but why can we not make a stand and make our position clear by using 'Mr' or 'the former President' - both of which are true, accurate and polite? And even if the Government has international rules to adhere to, can we not lobby broadcasters and the other media to take up the campaign for accurate appelations? Rob <<
Rob Leeson
08 Jul 2008
08 Jul 2008
4
>> Dear Mr Miliband Fristly, welcome to South Africa. I sincerely hope you will also be afforded the opportunity and time to experience some of the splendour of this fascinating country. I was elated to see that Britian is pressing for more sanctions against Zimbabwe. I had the opportunity to meet some of the Zimbabwian students, studying at the academic institution where I am employed, and I was deeply touched by their plight, and yet their lingering optimisim at that stage: Sep 07 that things will change in their country. There are many good but utterly desperate people in Zimbabwe and neighbouring SA currently who are in desperate need of assistance in the form of pressures that only the leaders of the G8 can provide. I told the students that they were in my prayers, but more than prayers proved to be necessary to address the dire situation in our neighbouring country. In my view the 'house is not on fire'; it has been burning down slowly for a number of years, and desperate times are calling for desperate measures to prevent a total destruction far beyond repair. Many thanks for your country's continued efforts to bring about a sensible solution, and of course for your role in that regard. It is my sincere hope that Zimbabwe will remain a pivotal topic in British foreign affairs, and that Britian will continue pressing for a solution. Have a lovely stay in Pretoria. <<
>> Dear Mr Miliband Fristly, welcome to South Africa. I sincerely hope you will also be afforded the opportunity and time to experience some of the splendour of this fascinating country. I was elated to see that Britian is pressing for more sanctions against Zimbabwe. I had the opportunity to meet some of the Zimbabwian students, studying at the academic institution where I am employed, and I was deeply touched by their plight, and yet their lingering optimisim at that stage: Sep 07 that things will change in their country. There are many good but utterly desperate people in Zimbabwe and neighbouring SA currently who are in desperate need of assistance in the form of pressures that only the leaders of the G8 can provide. I told the students that they were in my prayers, but more than prayers proved to be necessary to address the dire situation in our neighbouring country. In my view the 'house is not on fire'; it has been burning down slowly for a number of years, and desperate times are calling for desperate measures to prevent a total destruction far beyond repair. Many thanks for your country's continued efforts to bring about a sensible solution, and of course for your role in that regard. It is my sincere hope that Zimbabwe will remain a pivotal topic in British foreign affairs, and that Britian will continue pressing for a solution. Have a lovely stay in Pretoria. <<
Marlize
09 Jul 2008
09 Jul 2008
5
>> Dear Miliband, firstly welcome in SA: I trust you will have time to enjoy a bit of the splendour SA has to offer. Re Zimbabwe: I am elated to see that Britian is pressing for more sanctions against this oppresive regime. I met some of the Zim students last year, and I was deeply touched by their plight, and yet their optimism that things will change. I told them they were in my prayers, but more is needed in the form of assitance that only leaders of the G8 can provide. In my view the 'house' is not simply burning, it has been burning down for many years, and desperate measures are needed in these desperate time to prevent total destruction open for interpretation, perhaps that Rubicon is being crossed.Many thanks for Britian's continued efforts to bring about a sensible solution, and new future for all zimbabwians. Have a lovely and successful visit. <<
>> Dear Miliband, firstly welcome in SA: I trust you will have time to enjoy a bit of the splendour SA has to offer. Re Zimbabwe: I am elated to see that Britian is pressing for more sanctions against this oppresive regime. I met some of the Zim students last year, and I was deeply touched by their plight, and yet their optimism that things will change. I told them they were in my prayers, but more is needed in the form of assitance that only leaders of the G8 can provide. In my view the 'house' is not simply burning, it has been burning down for many years, and desperate measures are needed in these desperate time to prevent total destruction open for interpretation, perhaps that Rubicon is being crossed.Many thanks for Britian's continued efforts to bring about a sensible solution, and new future for all zimbabwians. Have a lovely and successful visit. <<
Marlize
09 Jul 2008
09 Jul 2008
6
>> 354 MDC supporters beaten up after being removed from outside SA embassy in Harare July 08, 2008 Edition 2 HARARE: More than 350 people who were removed last week from the SA embassy in the Zimbabwean capital after seeking sanctuary were attacked early yesterday at the government camp, where they had been relocated. About 20 men in military fatigues and balaclavas carrying shotguns burst in on the refugees near the village of Ruwa about 30km from here, where they had been assured by the embassy they would be secure, said witnesses. Eight people, three of them women, had to be taken to hospital after the beatings, while 14 unarmed men, trying to protect the group, were missing, said spokesperson Tangai Takarusa. "We have no place to go," he said. "Maybe someone will take us to Mars. Maybe we will feel safe there." The 354 refugees at Ruwa fled their homes after a wave of state-backed militia violence against MDC supporters. The group had been sheltering at Harvest House, the MDC's headquarters in Harare, last month when police raided the building. <<
>> 354 MDC supporters beaten up after being removed from outside SA embassy in Harare July 08, 2008 Edition 2 HARARE: More than 350 people who were removed last week from the SA embassy in the Zimbabwean capital after seeking sanctuary were attacked early yesterday at the government camp, where they had been relocated. About 20 men in military fatigues and balaclavas carrying shotguns burst in on the refugees near the village of Ruwa about 30km from here, where they had been assured by the embassy they would be secure, said witnesses. Eight people, three of them women, had to be taken to hospital after the beatings, while 14 unarmed men, trying to protect the group, were missing, said spokesperson Tangai Takarusa. "We have no place to go," he said. "Maybe someone will take us to Mars. Maybe we will feel safe there." The 354 refugees at Ruwa fled their homes after a wave of state-backed militia violence against MDC supporters. The group had been sheltering at Harvest House, the MDC's headquarters in Harare, last month when police raided the building. <<
We must care-
09 Jul 2008
09 Jul 2008
7
>> I am disgusted by the veto of the UN resolution against the Zimbabwe Gov't. What is the point this hot air shop if a minority can block attempts to bring peace to ordinary people and in doing so give support to tyranical governments, as Zimbabwe has. <<
>> I am disgusted by the veto of the UN resolution against the Zimbabwe Gov't. What is the point this hot air shop if a minority can block attempts to bring peace to ordinary people and in doing so give support to tyranical governments, as Zimbabwe has. <<
Andy
12 Jul 2008
12 Jul 2008
8
>> Is it too much to ask you for some joined-up Government? You visit Zimbabwean refugees in South Africa and urge the UN to impose sanctions on the illegal criminal gang running Zimbabwe, while the UK Home Office sends deportation orders to Zimbabwean refugees in Britain. Perhaps there is something you are doing behind the scenes to alter the Home Office policies. If not, I can only say: shame on you. <<
>> Is it too much to ask you for some joined-up Government? You visit Zimbabwean refugees in South Africa and urge the UN to impose sanctions on the illegal criminal gang running Zimbabwe, while the UK Home Office sends deportation orders to Zimbabwean refugees in Britain. Perhaps there is something you are doing behind the scenes to alter the Home Office policies. If not, I can only say: shame on you. <<
Peter
15 Jul 2008
15 Jul 2008
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08 July 2008