Here is a relationship I think we can all agree should be nipped in the bud:
Under growing pressure from the international community over rights abuses and political and financial mismanagement, Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has turned to China for help.
The 81-year-old leader, who has ruled Zimbabwe since its independence in 1980, is on a state visit and plans to discuss aid and trade with Chinese President Hu Jintao and other senior figures.
Under what he calls a “Look East” policy – an explicit response to Western criticism — Mugabe has sought stronger ties with Beijing, buying aircraft and other goods from China, which in turn is keen to strengthen political and trade ties with Africa.
Of course, “Looking East” is much easier now that Mugabe has razed every structure that could have possibly impeded his view.
Geek, Esq.
How ironic that the great anti-colonialist and anti-imperialist is trying to sell his nation to an overseas superpower.
Steve
I’m sure it should be nipped in the bud, but the logical question is: Which party in this arrangement do we have leverage over?
Don Surber
If only more of us had shown up to sing at Live 8, all this could have been avoided.
Stormy70
Mugabe should be taken out, one way or the other. Harsh? He’s a cold blooded tyrant, and has starved his people and ruined a great country. Mubeke and his South African government has given him cover for too long, hopefully that will start to change with world pressure. Who didn’t see this coming when he drove out the white farmers and gave their land to his pet thugs. I really hate this man and his supporters.
Veeshir
Why nipped in the bud? Is Zimbabwe strategically important? Will it be anything but a drain on China? Mugabe just wants somebody to give him money with no quibbles about “human rights”.
How does China’s throwing money down a drain hurt anybody except for Zimbabweans and Chinese?
I’m not trying to be heartless toward Zimbabwe, but the only good thing that could happen to that country would be the US invading and ‘rebuilding’ it.
I am much more worried about China in central and South America. That’s scary.
Halffasthero
That was written so well and articulated my thoughts so nicely I felt it needed to be posted again. I didn’t agree with Hussien being taken out because that whole area is a disaster but this guy is a Class A unwelcome thug-from-hell who is not even pretending to lead his country. A before and after of the state of his country since he took charge is plain for everyone to see. He is trash.
Kimmitt
Mugabe won’t be taken out, because we don’t have the forces to take him out with and because the President doesn’t have some weird obsession with Zimbabwe. So that’s that.
Anyways, China is currently in the running with France and the former USSR for “Most Amoral Foreign Policy.” They’ll buddy up with fricking anybody if they feel like he or she provides a counterweight to US hegemony.
Defense Guy
So many dictators, murderous thugs and tyrants and so little will to see their heads on pikes. A shame.