大象传媒

Let's hope Mrs.T.is on the ball and doesn't put her foot in her mouth by making any comments about Good Samaritans.

We invaded Iraq supposedly because of Saddam and his atrocities. Zimbabwe and Mugabe are far worse. I wonder why have we not invaded there, mind you, I can't remember if they have lots of oil. Or maybe they are not threat to Israel.

Emily - the 'mischief' was Gordon Brown's doing, designed to coincide with the latest Green Agenda launch by Cameron, Zak and JSG.

The 'formidable pink' didn't suit the 'Iron Lady'. She was always better in blue, navy blue or black.

Our unelected/unelectable/unable socialist P.M. Earns enough in a year to buy a modest house.He lives in a bomb/bullet proof house and is surrounded by a ring of steel and concrete. He travels in an armoured car with an enterage of close protection officers. His place of work the faulty tower has a similar arrangement. The biggest danger facing him is a paper clip accidentily stabbing him in the thumb. His wonderfull ministers are in a similar condition. The Benchmark/Calibre of the rest of our wonderfull M.P.'s can I believe be judged by the wonderfully brave speaker of the house Mick Martin who aftr getting a gentle poke in the chest by a couple of fleet street hacks dives for cover into the public purse and spends a small fortune getting a gang of lawyers to fend off the aforementioned nasty bullys. Given that a squaddie of H.M. finest gets about 拢2.50 an hour for his/her trouble can anybody please explain to me why on earth does the poor squaddie have to pay rent or mortgage (dead deal)for his her hovel, bearing in mind as well as losing their lives 270 or so (so far) and also in great danger of being difficient in the leg or other bodily department. They also of coarse have to pay the dreaded POLL Tax while being away for 6 months of the year fighting the politicians war. No W.M.D. found so far, apart from our wonderfull politicians who pop in from time to time. extremely dangerous DO NOT APPROACH/REPROACH. Are we poorly served/not served at all. Do they know what duty is. they can spell it but dont smell of it, they smell of something else.
Do they laugh at us. no its a warm gust of smelly wind from the parly sewer. Do they urinate on us. No it's rain brought over by the same wind. Do they deficate on us. No its droppings from a cuckoo flying on the same wind. The 20% of the uk population who bothered to vote Tony Blair into power 10 years or so ago probably believe the latter of explanations. Since yesterday's newsnight covered lead balloon, could they tonight cover The WHO's wont get fooled again.

Thankyou Newsnight for posting my last.
very theraputic? to me. Will mick the mouth get to hear of it, I do hope so. I award him his own Rusty Sherriff's Badge for Bravery.he can put it over his head
( you do no what the squaddie speak for RSB is )
Is a useless Turd Brown.
Destroy The Dark Brown Lord's Ring Frodo

hello there

who is actually present tonights programme.jeremy or emily? i do recall jeremy saying he would be here tonight on yesterdays.

Oh, I have to disagree - Mrs T looked very much 'In the Pink' today. Gordon appears to have discombobulated the Tories over this move, although it is really just a common courtesy.

Clearly the 'Northern Rock' story may bump the 'McClaren' news - but I still think this is a classic case of the FIA being the Ferrari Inclusion Authority.

They can get away with any number of 'technical infringements' with a slap on the wrist - indeed one of the things which was leaked as a result of that 'dodgy dossier' which fell into McClaren hands was that their floor pan didn't meet regulations...

Free Ron Dennis !!

Satchi n satchi not flash gordon Yeah we know mate its FLUSH gordon whether thats flush as in he has ripped off the population in more ways than one or its flush him down his own empire. Believe Both or take yer pick.

Is that our gordon useing and abuseing our elderly people again.
Some things never change. The Gall to advertise the fact.

The Motive Emily is flush gordon is using and abusing our elderly people Again, whats more he is advertising the fact with taxpayer's money.

My Web 大象传媒 News Player no worky.

Just watched the report on Zimbabwe, gripping the sofa in half-rage, half sorrow. Then I see the next item about the multi-billion pound scandal in Formula 1 car racing. People, children, are starving to death while in the West we will spend a million pounds on racing a car. It's sick, It's got to change.

When I lived in Rhodesia, it was a fantastic place. Admittedly, the opportunities that the black people deserve were not there, but they're not there today either and they're far worse off. Britain were told that Joshua Nkomo was the more 'moderate n' man when they were handing over power and they chose to ignore it and hand it over to Mugabe. Britain have some responsibility here and are choosing to ignore it...why? I think you'll find it's a lack of oil and doesn't benefit Britain in any way so the cloak of invisibility stays..... a tragedy of the highest order

I don't understand why no one is going to help zimbabwe? We attack Iraq with no solid evidence/reasons but we wont go and help a country that really needs our help? We're not so Great Britain when we just stand there and do nothing

No oil in Zimbabwe Sue.

Brian Dickenson, I agree wholeheartedly with you.

I dispair, I really do.

The extended report on Zimbabwe was one of the most disturbing things i have seen for a long time.

Sue Lloyd-Roberts must be thanked for her bravery in working in a dangerous situation.

Robert Mugabe appears to be willing to sacrifice not hundreds, not thousands, but millions to his own ends.

This tragedy is not the result of unavoidable circumstances or outside pressures, but the arrogance and greed of a few, willing to live in luxury while others suffer and die.

Zimbabwe is our legacy and we should be sorting out the problem, either through strong diplomacy or a more aggresive approach.

Instead of defending thousands of British passport holders who are being persecuted by Mugabe's tyranical regime, we would rather meddle in Middle Eastern matters which, historically, are of very little concern to us.

The state of Zimbabwe is the greatest scandal in the world at this moment, not least because it is a country which is potentially the richest in Africa, once regarded as the "breadbasket" of Africa in its previous and altogether more prosperious existance as Rhodesia.

As a final thought, it is worth pointing out that the problem in Zimbabwe is typical of what happens when people are given power before they are ready for it. The country has been on a slow downward spiral since 1980.

It horrifies me how both the West and the South African Development Community (SADC) can sit back and watch Zimbabwe get crippled by Robert Mugabe and his corrupt ZANU-PF government.

Zim is a ex-British colony - we should feel sympathetic towards the millions are suffering.

We have already placed sanctions on Zimbabwe but this is hurting the common man rather than the government. I bet President Mugabe has never had to worry where his next meal is coming from.

Well done to the 大象传媒 for getting this report aired. We should keep this issue in the headlines.

The story about Zimbabwe was rather painful for me to watch. I went to school in Zimbabwe from 1998 to 2001 when the crisis was first beginning. At the time nobody believed it would get as bad as it has done, but it has.

I have family that still lives in Zimbabwe. Fortunately for them they are much more affluent than the most Zimbabweans as my uncle works for a transport company. This means that they are able to import food and such from neighbouring countries such as South Africa and are also able to go to these countries themselves on occasion.

It makes me very sad to see the state of things in Zimbabwe now. It was always a beatiful country with a very strong future. Robert Mugabe has ruined it for the very people he was claiming to help when he first started this decline into madness. I hope it ends soon.

I really hope the bigots who sold out Rhodesia to Mugabe are congratulating themselves on turning another piece of wonderful Africa into a basket case - So many of us lived there without a racist thought in our head and were driven out by the rabid talk of western do gooders who had never moved out of the benefit queue let alone their country.
That includes you :- Peter Hain

While Gordon's cosying up to Maggie is legitimate comment on British politics, there is something obscene and insensitive about following a report about starvation in Zimbabwe with a long and complex witter about racing car tyres.

The U.N., the Commonwealth, the former imperialist metropolitan nation Great Britain, neighbour South Africa: they are all useless in the case of Zimbabwe. Lots of posturing, waffle and good intentions. But when people are really starving, there could surely be overwhelming pressure put on Mugabe by a united front against dictatorship.

Or does Britain want to show that white rule and imperialism were a better way of running Zimbabwe after all?

I have just watched the Newsnight report on Zimbabwe. It's shocking how Robert Mugabe has driven Zimbabweans to such a desperate and shocking way of living. It seems as though the International community has turned it's back on this once vibrant and prosperous African country. However I am totally disgusted with Thabo Mbeki's attitude towards this situation. Evidently, his attitude of quiet diplomacy is not working - and South Africa is benefiting from the misery of Zimbabweans due to most of the professionals leaving Zimbabwe for South Africa. South Africa needs to speak out against the tyrannical regime of Robert Mugabe - this would make a big difference seeing as South Africa is the country helping to keep Zimbabwe's almost non-existent economy on its knees. Thabo Mbeki needs to wake up and speak out against the tyranny of the evil Mugabe!

Here we go again, more one sided rubbish from the 大象传媒 about Zimbabwe. Everything is taken out of context and the complex problems of a whole nation simplified to one man - Robert Mugabe. The same Robert Mugabe the Queen saw fit to Knight in 1994.Zimbabwe suffers from the same problems every other third world country suffers; poverty, disease and corruption. Niether of which were started nor will end with Mugabe. It's time to hold us Africans accountable for what happens in our countries not a single individual or leader.You can get rid of Saddam Hussein or Robert Mugabe but nothing will change till the citizens change and take responsibility.

The long time lack of resolve on the part of world leaders and the UN to sort the tyrant Mugabe is nothing short of a moral disgrace. Those who are in a position to do something about him but fail to do so while the massive human suffering goes on are as evil as he is and that includes the British Government which seems at least on the surface to have very little if anything to say about the man. As usual, it will not be values, standards or morals dictating the World Governments and UN responses, it will be money.

When will the nations of the world (especially Britain and South Africa) actually do something to help the people of Zimbabwe? Watching the suffering shown in the report by Sue Lloyd-Roberts made me very sad and embarrassed to think that Britain appears to be doing nothing to help a country on the verge of collapse.

If plans are being made to evacuate the 20,000 or so citizens with a connection to Britain, then surely we can offer tangible assistance to the Opposition to enable them to remove Mr Mugabe from power.

As a Zimbabwean resident in the UK, the newsnight report really depressed me. What depressed me even more is the fact that in the 21st centuary so called civilised nations such as the UK can sit by and allow this to happen. Let us not forget that Zimbabwe (Rhodesia) was an English colony, and the ENGLISH GOVERNMENT WERE ALMOST SINGLE-HANDEDLY RESPONSIBLE FOR PUTTING MUGABE IN POWER! Because there is no longer any political mileage in it, it is now best ignored. What a wonderful world!

I grew up as a privileged white child in Zimbabwe and still feel guilt and shame over the idyllic childhood that I received at the expense of many.
I had such high hopes for all native Zimbabweans when Mugabe came to power. I weep to see what is happening now.
Apparently the black market is thriving,and wealth is again in the hands of the few, but the average population are unable to feed their families, or even able to get fresh water.
Shame on you Mr. Mugabe and your corrupt party. You were suposed to protect and nourish your fellow citizens and look at what you have done instead.
Something has to be done. It's already too late for hundreds of children and babies. Their parents must be suffering unimaginable pain.

Unbelievably so long a 大象传媒 report on the suffering in Zimbabwe - with total blame on Mugabe, without one single word or reference to the way the people of that country are suffering and how it is being brought down by the United States and its controlled satelites, who have tightened economic sanctions; have blacklisted prominent companies; made Presidental executive orders baring Americans from having any business dealings with the Zimbabwean leaders and freezes on assets; the removal of economic aid ten years back because of lack of 'diplomatic civility.' which cost Zimbabwe $20 million.

The IMF suspended payments to Zimbabwe in 2000, following the government's decision to abandon IMF public spending guidelines (including payment to 'war veterans', the cost of which amounted to 3% of GDP).

Then there has been the unmentioned removal from all tourism packages in the United Kingdom, France and Germany some years ago, which resulted in a huge reduction of tourists from the usual markets in Europe - a foreign currency earner.

Previously in 2000, around 1.5 million tourists visited Zimbabwe annually which contributed 5-6 percent of the country's GDP. an estimated 100,000 jobs and much income went - with a main tourist
attraction in Victoria Falls.

We have sanctions and laws that bar multilateral lending institutions, with dealings with the US, from extending lines of credit to Zimbabwe. and bars on American companies from trading with Zimbabwe.

Whatever the reactive characteristics of a leader, how does a largely peasant nation of 13 million people, constitute "an unusual and extraordinary threat" to the foreign policy of the US?

On a similar worded basis the Americans also led embargos on Iraq, Iran, Cuba, Nicaragua and North Korea in order to financially control those countries.

Folk believe so much of such one-sided propaganda, because they are indoctrinated and brainwashed as Noam Chomsky pointed out in his book, Latin America: From Colonisation to Globalisation, 1999.

The world at large is foolish to ignore Zimbabwe. Any minute now the Chinese communists will walk in with a golden bullet, just like Sudan. What Africa needs to get out of poverty is a market economy with plc's on a stock market. Anyone see the link between poverty and the lack of these ? Africa is a country rich in natural resources. Why not establish fair trade for these resources through trade to benefit the African people ? Those diamonds look pretty good you know. Should we not be encouraging this form of trade, but instead be raping the African country of all the food it produces and resources it harbours ? Wake up and accept that Africans are just as human as the rest of us, and deserve the same means that we use to provide them with the privileges they are entitled to.

What Zimbabwe needs is a large oil field find and then you will see the 'coalition of the willing' spearheaded by the USA under the banner "operation free Zimbabwe" and the demonizing of Mugabi would follow ( this would be easy, as he is clearly a nutter) His egomaniac manner and his desire to cling to power has been at fever-pitch for years and his spectacular mismanagement of the economy coupled with total unashamed brutally has very few comparisons in recent history, the build up to this hypothetical intervention and the need to free the Zimbabwe peoples and install democracy will be sold to the public( this would be an easy sell as well), just as long certain conditions are met and oil revenues and business packages are agreed with handshakes all around with men in grey suits.
Then the loans that will be pumped into the knackard economy for the benefit of the blood sucking bankers who happen to also groom and fund our glorious leaders who then convince us to go down the road to 'free Zimbabwe' or the cheap option might be considered; a team of CIA operatives who could take out Mugabe or fund opposition parties with aid and guns, eventually installing the usual place men; we have been here before haven't we.

Zimbabwe has nothing to offer the west so nothing will happen and the 大象传媒 will continue reporting the long unfolding nightmare and the neighboring African states will turn a blind eye to Mugabe and his regime; not unlike the way the political left in this country have been doing for years.
lets not forget that Zimbabwe gained independence some decades ago from the UK though, and as a developing state, it takes time to...... develope. Its a cold and heartless view i know, but the last thing Zimbabwe needs is international interference but i would not say no to some brave sharpshooter with a steady hand whilst aiming his crosshairs and taking a pop...or two

Plan of action:

1. Donor to fund a coup (someone like Scratcher Thatcher) but with deeper pockets.

2. A Bold man like Simon Mann and shed loads of foreign mercenaries.

3. Careful planning & strategy, take over Zimbabwe within 72 hrs (Zimbabwe is not like Iraq the locals won't be trying to kill you).

4. Free & fair elections with Independent International Observers on each polling station regardless of being urban or rural (each damn one).

5. Free Zimbabwe, thank the donor, give him the honour he/ she deserves and pay the mercenaries. This is in full view of the public to illustrate that the new Zimbabwe is not a puppet state, but an investment.

6. All Zimbabweans abroad will trickle back, keep this in mind majority of Zimbos are well educated.

7. Build a new brand for Zimbabwe, advertising+restructuring = tourism. Seven - Fifteen yrs Zimbabwe will be where it was.

As for Mugabe don't shoot him just let him on the street between stage 4 and 5 the public will give him a good seeing to.

So Mr Brown invites one of his distinguished predecessors to tea and she goes along and we get the best brains of the 大象传媒 analysing its deep significance. The modern media and political class including the 大象传媒 who once knew better, have created an ivory tower in which no politician can scratch his ear without it having some deep significance to be explained by some well paid guru,and they expect the rest of us to live in it.

Harrumph!

John Parfitt

Very well done to Sue. For all those who comment that Zimbabwe needs oil - I think you will find Zimbabwe is very rich in resources, as are most African countries. Zimbabwe once the breadbasket of Africa was a wonderful place. I'm sure most people there would love the British to return and put the place back in order. Sadly, we have no brave politicians ........ and then there are those who believe that Africans have to find their own way, probably because of the continual criticism we are bombarded with for taking civilisation to Africa in the first place. It is a truly terrible situation with horrendous torture and suffering by the people. I just don't understand how our politicians get into their positions it is truly shameful that they will not take action to save these people.

(sigh)Well, the Zimbabwe situation...
I believe Gordon can renew and make strong ties with the nation because I honestly think that Mugabe and Blair just had common dislike with each other. It may sound simple but yes i know it is difficult but it can be done. To show that Great Britain is great, it should put its foot down and show by example that greatness (to be the 'bigger man') is not all about superiority but humbling and helping the poor.
As the report reflected, most are going hungry and some are living in luxury, it is up to us to have a good impact on the nation, it always feels good to do good, true?
We cannot sit and watch people die or watch people flee and come here to use our tax money as they are on asylum(because thats the only resort - sending them back will just be inhuman because you are sending them back to where you dont have the basic needs of life equals death, think about about hey, imagine if it was you).

Thank you Sue Lloyd-Roberts for highlighting the disgusting and intolerable oppression of the majority of the Zimbabwean citizens by the Zimbabwean Government (lead by the ruthless dictator Robert Mugabe!)

I was desperately saddened by this news report showing not only the pain and suffering of small malnourished children but the desperate struggle of parents and grandparents to find food and clean water just merely to survive.

We know without any doubt that if Zimbabwe had oil the British Government would probably already have sent in the troops, of course, they would also have to fabricate the belief that weapons of mass destruction were being hidden there, giving them, what they would consider, a plausible excuse to invade a country and take out the dictator.

So, my question is this: Why can we, as humane, intelligent british citizens see what Robert Mugabe is doing to his people and his country and know that it is completely unacceptable but the British Government cannot? Could it be possible that our Government is afraid of Robert Mugabe and his regime, and if so why?

Like others I would very much like to thank Sue Lloyd-Roberts for her courageous and revealing report. However, like others, I too would like to hear more about the extent to which nations like Great Britain, the U.S., the U.N have contributed to the situation.

However, it has prompted me to do my own research online and I am now exploring ways to lend my support and voice to those who need it to resolve this crisis.

So thank you, again, Sue, for helping me to get off my backside and try to do something.

Well done to you,Sue!
Your next assignment should be in Ogaden region to exposes to the world the brutality of Zanawi regime in there as the a New York journalist did recently.

A long time ago, when Ian Smith declared UDI, various black students from Zimbabwe (then S. Rhodesia) were exiled for political activity and came to Britain. I gave hospitality to some of them - they were all ZAPU (Joshua Nkomo's party) and were very opposed to Robert Mugabe and his ZANU, but tried to cheer themselves up by saying at least Zimbabwe would be a two-party state, one step further along the road to democracy than some other African nations. What a dreadful irony that now turns out to be.

The United Nations should be able to do more in a situation as grave as this.

Where a state is being run by a criminal like Mugabe it is not good enough that he is being propped up by expatriate money to go on robbing and killing millions of people.

He is in flagrant breach of human rights legislation and should be arrested and brought before the International Criminal Court to face charges of crimes against humanity.

Aren't the actions of the Mugabe/Zanu-PF regime tantamount to autogenocide? And of so, what is the use of our International Criminal Court, or the UN Declaration on Human Rights or any of the pillars of our post-war liberal international settlement? Doesn't the Zimbabwe situation and our complete abandonment of responsibility and influence for and on it go right to the heart of the sheer hollowness of the whole international order? What can any power - South Africa, Britain, US, UN do? How have we become so powerless?