[thucydides]

Where are the calls for sanctions, for disinvestment, for banning participation in international events, etc. from the liberals given Zimbabwe's horrible racist oppression? Here is a clear proof of liberal racism: apparently, nations led by blacks are not to be held to even minimal standards. Put another way, liberals do not feel that blacks are up to responsible behavior, so consequences for misbehavior are irrelevant.

[First_Salute]

Like I said, we should "Liberate Zimbabwe!"

[Southack]

It's at least nice to see that Zimbabwe's racism is getting both press coverage and State Department attention.

Here's to hoping that the U.S. won't get roped into bailing Mugabe out of his hole with endless food and monetary aid...

[caddie]

Agreed. I didn't know what you were talking about when you mentioned this horrible injustice.

Thank you for calling this to my attention and that of the other FReepers.

Who in Congress will care?

Only Burton, plus a few whose principles motivate them; don't hold your breath for a second.

Lemme ponder this.

[hedgetrimmer]

The United States recognizes the need for genuine land reform in Zimbabwe

Agriculture, Land and Water Policy Statement Contents

2. LAND REFORM VERSUS AGRARIAN REFORM: Is There a Difference? What do we Require in Zimbabwe? Land reform can be defined as a programme for the transfer of control and ownership of agricultural land. Land reform therefore necessarily addresses changes in tenurial relations.

Agrarian reform has a broader scope as it requires a more comprehensive approach to restructuring the agricultural sector. It is land reform plus a package of support services such as credit, marketing, pricing, rural infrastructure (dams, roads, bridges, hospitals, school).

It is important to note that MDC has concrete policies for the provision and maintenance of rural infrastructure such as roads, bridges, hospitals and schools. This leaves the agrarian reform program to take care of the more direct agriculture land and water issues.

Thus the MDC government recognises that what Zimbabwe needs is an agrarian reform rather than just a land reform. The need for a comprehensive agrarian reform in Zimbabwe is based on the need to address the following issues:

uneven distribution of land;
a shortage of land for the rural population;
under-utilisation of land mainly in the large scale
commercial farming sector;
low productivity and "tragedy of the commons" mainly in the Communal Areas. The "tragedy of the commons" describes a situation whereby communally owned natural resources are not used sustainably resulting in resource depletion and degradation. Communally accessed forests, grazing lands, water resources provide typical examples of the "tragedy of the commons" in Zimbabwe’s Communal Areas.
lack of private farm investment mainly in Communal Areas,
Rural Areas and Small Scale Commercial Farming.
customary law clashing with common (Roman-Dutch) law;mainly in the Small Commercial Farming Sector and environmental degradation mainly in the Communal Areas.

http://www.mdczimbabwe.com/policy/land/landpol1btxt.htm

[RightWhale]

Is this the first State Department statement on the matter? Seems like they could have spoken up anytime in the past 18 months.