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The government has really made a number of mistakes
over Zimbabwe over the years.
I don't think a few years ago they were really tough enough
in making it clear that we wanted free and fair elections
and the international community would object if that didn't happen.
Of course we've had the appalling events earlier this year
with the stolen elections, with the harassment, the violence, the ***.
And of course we have objected to that and we were very disappointed
when there was not UN sanctions imposed
both an arms embargo and other sanctions
when the Chinese and the Russians vetoed those sanctions.
The situation is different now
The MDC is now in discussions with Robert Mugabe for good or ill
They probably realise their best chance at helping Zimbabwe out of the appalling situation it has got into
with inflation at millions of percent with unemployment over 80%
with over 50% of the population suffering from malnutrition
and talking to the MDC here in London, their representative Hebson Makuvise
they feel that if they can reach out and try to find a way forward
even working with Zanu PF despite everything
that is in the best interest of Zimbabweians
and I think Liberal Democrats should listen to the democratic voice which is represented by the MDC.
and support them as much as we can.
And talking to Hebson Makuvise who is effectively Morgan Tvangirai's lieutenant
in Britain and in Europe
they believe we should be using the sanctions
the threat of future sanctions to be imposed
as a helpful bargaining chip.
I think we need (we being the UK , the European Union, the wider international community)
to make it clear to Mugabe
that if they don't negotiate in good faith with the MDC
if they do not give the MDC the real power and influence
that the elections on March 29th gave them legitimacy for
then the sanctions will happen.
We will get much much tougher with Zimbabwe than we have been previously.
I think also that Liberal Democrats should be calling on politicians in South Africa to take a tougher line.
President Mbeki has been a big disappointment throughout this
And while he is brokering these current negotiations
he has been in our view far too lenient on Mugabe
But his days are numbered
By January next year it's very likely that the next President of South Africa
will be the current President of the ANC Jacob Zuma
Jacob Zuma has made it clear that he will stand up with other African leaders
the President of Zambia, the President of Tanzania, the President of Mozambique and other African leaders
to say to Robert Mugabe
what you are doing is unacceptable.
And therefore, I think Mugabe and Zanu PF's time is limited.
Jacob Zuma is around the corner
So we should in this country be supporting
the opposition to Mugabe, represented by Jacob Zuma and the South African trade unions, COSATU.
That way I think we can put real pressure on Mugabe
and help the MDC in the current negotiations.