Sunday, April 20, 2008

Holiday in Zimbabwe

Reading following news I felt reminded of Jimmy Carter meeting Deng Xiaoping in 1979, when the U.S.-President demanded China should respect the human rights.
Here's the gist of what Deng Xiaoping replied: According the human rights we are of different an opinion. But to make you happy: How many Chinese do you wish to take with you to the U.S.A.? 50 millions? 100 millions?
Chinese troops have been seen on the streets of Zimbabwe's third largest city, Mutare, according to local witnesses. They were seen patrolling with Zimbabwean soldiers before and during Tuesday's ill-fated general strike called by the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).
Earlier, 10 Chinese soldiers armed with pistols checked in at the city's Holiday Inn along with 70 Zimbabwean troops.
Full article here.
Well, 10 (in words: ten) Chinese soldiers. I suppose, they are the flame guards who did a great job guarding the Olympic torch in London, Paris & San Francisco, and now got their well deserved reward: holiday in tourist's paradise: Zimbabwe.

8 comments:

  1. Ah who would not like to holiday in a place were evey street is Millionaire's Row (Okay I am talking about Zimbabwean dollars).... I'm glad to see thant teh South African dock workers have refused to unload a consignment of weapons for Zimbabwe...

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  2. It's all really up to South Africa now.
    What Mbeki does, is crucial.

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  3. What a very sad world we live in.

    'Out of the frypan and into the fire.'
    Out with British colonisation and enter Eastern colonisation.

    Poor countries do not stand a chance of ever advancing whilst dominant powers pull all the strings.

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  4. And the second prize is ...

    I hear no good news from Zimbabwe at the moment. I suppose a peaceful rollover and the triumph of Democracy was too much to hope for after all.

    Incidentally, the Chinese "torch protectors" have been told that when in Australia, their only task is to re-light the torch if it's extingiushed. Any "security breaches" or challenges by demonstrators will be handled by our own police, and if the Chinese interfere or use any force, they will be arrested. I'm going to be really interested to see what happens. Human rights is a big issue around these parts.

    Thanks for visiting my rather strange little blog.

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  5. Rats - there's always a typo when I don't proofread. The Chinese are allowed to relight the torch if it's extinguished as well as if it's extingiushed. Nothing else though.

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  6. The illustrious Deng, from whence my blog name came.

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  7. Jams,
    isn't it amazing there would always be enough money to buy weapons?
    Appreciating the dock workers refusal, I am still quite sure the weapons will reach their addressee. Wish I were wrong.

    Crushed,
    Mbeki has only his first letter in common with Mandela.

    Ardent, Welshcakes,
    we may be able to fly to the moon, we may change the world, but (wo)mankind seems unable to change its character.

    Margie,
    welcome.
    Indeed, I can't remember I heard / read good news from Zimbabwe for the past 30 years.
    As for next Thursday, I am anxious to see what will happen in Canberra. Sounds not good, either, what is proclaimed on the Chinese Students and Scholars Association's website.
    And as for typos, Mylady: They are just nothing compared to what this blogger is able to produce - real mistakes. [can you see me smiling although there is no smiley?]

    James,
    Deng was indeed and by all means (a)nourishing obscurity.

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