Africa Digest
Thabo Mbeki's 'Modest Proposal' to Royals and Privy Council
When the British Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Coolum, Australia a week ago overruled British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and decided to take no action concerning the Zimbabwe election until after the votes were cast, that action caused Blair to sputter that the CHOGM had sunk to "the lowest common denominator." He warned that, "if there is any sense in which African countries appear to be ambivalent towards good governance, this ... will undermine the confidence of the developed world in helping them."
South African President Thabo Mbeki responded to Blair with a modest proposal. In his weekly letter in ANC Today--Online Voice of the African National Congress March 8-14, he wrote, "Those inspired by notions of white supremacy are free to depart [the Commonwealth] if they feel that membership of the association reduces them to a repugant position imposed by inferior blacks."
Italian President: South Africa Is an Example for the Middle East
Visiting Italian President Ciampi declared that South Africa is an example for Israel and Palestine to find solutions, speaking during a state visit that began March 13 in Capetown, South Africa.
Ciampi said, "From this land that has experienced the miracle of breaking down the walls of hatred and deep division, let us send out a resounding appeal for dialogue and reason to prevail in the Middle East." He also said it was important to strengthen cooperation between the European Union, the U.S., and Russia, and that he hoped the forthcoming Arab League summit takes advantage of the opportunity to respond to the Middle East tragedy with a single and clear voice of peace.
On African development, Ciampi said the great majority of industrialized countries, including Italy, are still far from achieving their aim of devoting 0.7% of GDP to aid to the poorest countries. He pledged that in Italy's next fiscal year, there will be a gradual increase in the budget appropriations for this purpose.
Two days later, in Barcelona, Spain, Italy's Prime Minister Berlusconi unveiled a proposal for multibillion-euro "Marshall Plan" for the development of Palestine and cooperation with Israel (see Economics section for details).
OAU President, China Congratulate Mugabe
In the midst of a total assault by the human rights "'mafia" against Zimbabwe's re-elected President, Robert Mugabe (see article under Indepth), the People's Republic of China sent congratulations to Zimbabwe on the election. "We wish to offer our congratulations. We think the international community should respect the will of the Zimbabwean people," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhang Qiyue. "Zimbabwe is an important country in Africa and we hope to see the stability and development of the people so they can make positive contributions to the peace and prosperity of Africa as a whole."
Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa appealed to the international community and observers "to respect the will of the people of Zimbabwe." "As chairman of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and President of a friendly neighbour, I congratulate President Mugabe in his re-election." Western wire services which are attacking Mugabe also say that Mwanawasa's election is still a subject of dispute. Mention is also made of the state of Florida in the coverage of famous election disputes.
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