Mrs Rigby has seen a few articles referring to food shortages in Zimbabwe. She knows that Zimbabwe is in a bit of a mess, from what she's read in the media, and was wondering what we are doing to help - if anything - so she took a wander round the Number10 site
It would seem 'we' aren't doing very much. There are only 64 'hits', dating back to 2007, the most recent as follows :
On 22nd June 2009 Mr Brown pledged £5 million to 'aid Zimbabwe’s democratic and social reforms'.
Two days later, on 24th June 2009 : "The Government has agreed with the assessment of Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of Zimbabwe’s opposition MDC party, that a “free and fair” election in the country is impossible."
Backtrack for a moment, and remember it was Harold Wilson who had to deal with Ian Smith and UDI, back in 1965 (quoted from Number10):
In case you're wondering what's happening - it isn't a party . No, not quite. On the ground in the middle of all these people is a dead bull elephant.
This is what was left a while later.
In February 2010 Robert Mugabe celebrated his 86th birthday.
No further comment needed - except that some people turn up their noses at those who eat road-kill pheasants, although the Indy, in 2006, offered a recipe for pigeons.
It would seem 'we' aren't doing very much. There are only 64 'hits', dating back to 2007, the most recent as follows :
On 22nd June 2009 Mr Brown pledged £5 million to 'aid Zimbabwe’s democratic and social reforms'.
Two days later, on 24th June 2009 : "The Government has agreed with the assessment of Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of Zimbabwe’s opposition MDC party, that a “free and fair” election in the country is impossible."
Backtrack for a moment, and remember it was Harold Wilson who had to deal with Ian Smith and UDI, back in 1965 (quoted from Number10):
... in international affairs Wilson found himself dealing with the prickly issue of Rhodesia’s (now called Zimbabwe) declaration of independence.Fast forward to March 11th 2010
an estimated 2.17 million people [in Zimbabwe] are in need of food aid, a number it says will rise on the back of an expected failed 2010 harvestThat sounds bad, but even so, Mrs R didn't really expect to see this - from the Mail, 12th March 2010.
In case you're wondering what's happening - it isn't a party . No, not quite. On the ground in the middle of all these people is a dead bull elephant.
This is what was left a while later.
In February 2010 Robert Mugabe celebrated his 86th birthday.
Eight thousand lobsters and 4,000 portions of caviar were eaten last night at a birthday party for Robert Mugabe which was broadcast live to a nation facing famine. The £330,000 televised feast to celebrate the Zimbabwe president's 86th birthday came as crop failure and drought raised the prospect of widespread hunger in the poverty-stricken country.Makes you wonder where he got the money from.
No further comment needed - except that some people turn up their noses at those who eat road-kill pheasants, although the Indy, in 2006, offered a recipe for pigeons.
....
2 comments:
To think that Zimbabwe was once the food basket of Africa. Sadly just another basket case.
Despite all it's oil wealth Nigeria is on the ropes aswell according to a report in The Independent. Their dear leader is doing a Howard Hughes while the country erupts in tribal and religious conflict.
It does seem to be a mess, and the decline is accelerating too
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