“The Netherlands government yesterday turned down Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s request for the lifting of economic sanctions and a financial package, saying they wanted to see “more reforms”.

Radio Netherlands reported that PM Tsvangirai met his Dutch counterpart Mr Jan Balkenende yesterday but came out empty-handed as The Dutch Premier, who acknowledged the inclusive Government’s commitment to reforms, asked for political, economic and social reforms before his country can release any assistance.”

This is why Mugabe has refused to foot the travel bill for the trip (see the previous article). Mugabe is hedging all his bets as he knows that not much will be forthcoming without further concessions by his party - if not his departure from office.

Mugabe is the main reason why the Zimbabwean economy finds itself in such dire straits. He would much prefer to spend valuable and almost non-existent foreign currency on bolstering his position in government than feeding the country.

Let’s look at that for just a second.

Mugabe has spent money on weapons and ammunition, on water cannons that wouldn’t look out of place in a Star Wars film - and purchases luxury motor vehicle, satellite dishes and televisions for his loyalist backers, and all the while the white commercial farmers are having their lands confiscated forcibly.

Now the land is not being worked, the country is unable to feed itself and Mugabe is reliant on the goodwill of other countries to feed the people.

Not that he has made it a priority as he couldn’t really care less. He is more interested in remaining in office than feeding, educating or employing the Zimbabwean people. Almost no one can afford health care and simple illnesses claim lives.

But Mugabe would prefer to blame the West (and the MDC) for these shortcomings instead of admitting he has failed, and making room for someone else to fix his mistakes.

“Asked whether going back home empty-handed would not cause tension within the inclusive Government, PM Tsvangirai said the purpose of his visit was to educate “our partners” on political developments in Zimbabwe.

“The objective is to educate, educate, and educate our partners. It’s not about going around with the begging bowl, because we believe that the country has been isolated the last 10 years and it is time to normalise relations and that doesn’t come cheap. It has to be reciprocal. We have to do something which we said we are going to do.”

Government has, however, already instituted a number of reforms by launching the Short-Term Emergency Recovery Programme and embarking on a constitution-making process.”

Mugabe gives with the left hand but snatches with the right hand. An amendment has reduced a sizable number of the population’s right to vote and travel as Zimbabweans.

Again, see my previous entry...

Nothing is going to change for the better in Zimbabwe until and unless Mugabe and his brood of loyalists who are not above using violence as a tool to ‘educate’ the voting public that Zimbabwe is a ‘democracy’ - that is, a ‘democracy’ according to the Mugabe dictionary.

Robb WJ Ellis
The Bearded Man