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Zimbabwe is a 'sinking Titanic'
21/03/2007 12:18 - (SA)
Windhoek - Zambian President Levy
Mwanawasa urged southern Africa to take a new approach to
Zimbabwe, which he likened to a "sinking Titanic" as millions
flee economic and political turmoil.
In one of the strongest African comments on Zimbabwe's
political and economic crisis, Mwanawasa said the Southern
African Development Community (SADC) had failed to achieve much
in negotiations with Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe.
"Quiet diplomacy has failed to help solve the political
chaos and economic meltdown in Zimbabwe," Mwanawasa said late on
Monday in neighbouring Namibia.
"As I speak right now, one SADC country has sunk into such
economic difficulties that it may be likened to a sinking
Titanic whose passengers are jumping out in a bid to save their
lives."
Zambian government newspapers said Mwanawasa had suggested
SADC "would soon take a stand" on Zimbabwe.
Alone in criticising
Mwanawasa has stood virtually alone among southern African
leaders in his willingness to criticise Mugabe, regarded by many
as a liberation hero but condemned in the West for a brutal
crackdown on opposition supporters and an economic crisis.
"Zambia has so far been an advocate of quiet diplomacy and
continues to believe in it. But the twist of events in the
troubled country necessitates the adoption of a new approach,"
Mwanawasa said.
"The ministers of foreign affairs will in the next few days
meet over this matter," Mwanawasa was quoted as saying by
Zambian government newspapers, adding regional leaders would
then meet to discuss the situation.
There has been no official announcement of such a meeting,
although SADC ministers are due in Lesotho this week for a
regular conference.
The SADC council of non-governmental organisations also said
it was time for the group to act.
"We believe that the crisis has reached a point where
Zimbabweans need to be strongly persuaded and directly assisted
to find an urgent solution to the crisis that affects the entire
region," the SADC council of NGOs said in a statement.
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