|
Back to Index
Zimbabwe can take cue from Poland
Roger
Bate
September
20, 2005
http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/topstories.aspx?ID=BD4A93623
FORMER Polish
president Lech Walesa opened the recent American Enterprise Institute
conference, which celebrated the 25th anniversary of the solidarity
movement. It is remarkable how relevant his success in starting
the downfall of totalitarian communism in 1980 was for the conference
delegates from today’s "outposts of tyranny". Walesa is
an inspiring role model in methods of opposition.
Delegates from
Belarus, Cuba, North Korea, Iran, Syria and Burma, among others,
attended the event. Walesa and other eastern Europe speakers — notably
from the successful revolution in Ukraine — provide evidence that
change is possible in locations of despotism identified by US Secretary
of State Condoleezza Rice.
It is dangerous
and difficult for those travelling from the outposts of tyranny.
On the day of the conference, Zimbabwe announced laws to restrict
freedom of international movement. Passports are likely to be withdrawn
from those critical of the administration of despot President Robert
Mugabe. A list including Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan
Tsvangirai and Catholic Archbishop of Bulawayo Pius Ncube has been
drawn up.
The lessons
of this conference are how totalitarianism rulers may have different
forms of government but nearly always follow similar methods: suppressing
a free press, preventing free elections, where any occur at all,
and using violence, or the threat of it, to oppress its citizens.
But while the
regimes adopt the same forms of suppression, the opposition has
myriad forms of revolt: strikes and non-violent protests in Poland
and more recently in Ukraine and Serbia; sabotage and civil disobedience
in SA and armed conflict in former Rhodesia. It is tragic that Rhodesia’s
dictatorial white government gave way to a far worse black government.
Of those trying
to bring down a dictatorship, few require such immediate support
as those in Zimbabwe. While the need of those in North Korea is
probably greater, realistic solutions are not available yet for
the world’s most closed society. The latest estimates are that half
the population of Zimbabwe — about 5,5-million people— are short
of food and more than 700000 are homeless after Mugabe bulldozed
buildings in opposition areas.
The ruling regime
is stopping food donations and blankets and preventing journalists
from entering the country. Thousands die weekly from malnutrition.
Despite the escalating crisis, many in Zimbabwe’s opposition are
hopeful peaceful protest and political participation in parliament
can bring change.
But, say informed
sources at the state department, the US has cut its support of Zimbabwe
civil society. Last year it donated $7m to promote democracy but
cut that to $3m this year. Meanwhile, it gave $100m to Ukraine for
the same type of work.
Change requires
resolve, the right time and often external support. With Zimbabwe
sliding into a disaster of Rwandan proportions, and Mugabe’s power
weakening due to economic collapse, the time is right. Zimbabwe
is still more open than many other despotic locations, so external
support could help.
It is essential
that the US provide more humanitarian relief, push the United Nations
to help, and support civil society. Violent conflict will be the
result unless more external aid is provided— and soon.
*Bate is
a resident fellow of the American Enterprise Institute
Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.
TOP
|
