An Evil Circus

23rd January 2003

It is shameful that the worlds cricketing associations are willing to play in Mugabe's Zimbabwe. Mugabe misrules a nation which uses state sponsored terrorism against its own people. A nation that persecutes racial and tribal minorities, dispossessing them of lawfully owned land, of their basic human rights and their freedom to choose the party of government.

It is also a nation where upwards of six million people face starvation and where Mugabe is using food aid as a political weapon. Food to Mugabe is a means of genocide for tribal minorities and his political opponents.

It is worth noting that nobody was starving in South Africa under the apartheid system, yet the system of seperate racial development was reason enough for the world to impose sanctions upon the country, including an end to any sporting links. How is it then that in Mugabe's Zimbabwe, where racial and tribal discrimination is rampant and in fact used as an instrument of state policy, that sporting links have not been severed? In addition, why have links not been severed with this dispicable tyrant for his savage acts of despotism and genocide?

Are we perhaps once again witnessing the Wests willingness to allow different rules of accepted civilized behaviour to appertain in black Africa? Are we once again witnessing the third world turning a blind eye to yet another in a long line of evil tyrants abusing and robbing its people? Are black Africans being told that they are not entitled to expect first world standards of behaviour from their national leaders?

Why is it that sanctions of the most punitive kind were visited upon white ruled nations in Africa, none of whom were responsible for genocidal atrocities towards their own citizens, yet premeditated genocide by a black African dictator is tolerated? Why is there this difference in attitude from the West on such matters? It smacks of nothing less than racism of the most insidious kind. A kind that perpetuates the left wing liberal myth that only one race on Earth can be racist.

The money driven cricketing authorities in England can seemingly find nothing better to squeal about, than the mere fact they may lose a bit of cash if they do not play in Zimbabwe. It appears that what the people of Zimbabwe have lost under Mugabe's despotic rule is of no consequence to them. Of course, England is not the only team prepared to travel to and play in Zimbabwe. The nations of the third world who are prepared to play there are a disgrace. They of all people should be standing firm against dictatorship and tyranny, as many have suffered under such loathesome and brutish regimes in their own countries, post colonial rule.

One would also hope that if these blood sucking cricketing authorities do play in Mugabe's Zimbabwe, that fans will show their disgust by staying away. England fans have already shunned Mugabe's cynical cricket circus. Not one member of Englands 'barmy army' of fans who follow their team around the world, have booked for the scheduled match in Zimbabwe. Yet nearly three thousand have booked to see the matches being played in South Africa. These fans have made a stand against tyranny and genocide, and should be warmly congratulated for that stance.

There have even been unhappy noises eminating from many players in the Zimbabwean cricket team itself about teams coming to play in Zimbabwe. This does not unfortunately appear to include Heath Streak, the Zimbabwean team captain. He is acting like a stooge for ZANU PF, maybe he has a party card? On his performance to date, he could easily change his surname to Moyo.

It is to be hoped that Zimbabweans themselves will totally boycott these blood money cricket matches, if they do take place in Zimbabwe. We ourselves would certainly not expect to see any of the ever dwindling members of the white community in attendance. Whilst we understand that the cricket could be seen as providing a bit of light relief in an economy rapidly disappearing around the U-bend, it would only serve to give the impression that all was well in Bob's paradise. It could even give the impression that the whites were doing fine, as they all seemed to be enjoying themselves so much!

If  Zimbabweans do not make a stand over this evil cricket circus by staying away from it in protest, and this particularly applies to the white population, then we shall certainly have to review our stance as to whether we should continue to feature the plight of the country on this website. If people are not even prepared to make a non violent stand for themselves, then they cannot expect support from others outside Zimbabwe.

If these shameful matches go ahead in Zimbabwe, to an empty stadium or one filled with press-ganged members of ZANU PF only, it would speak volumes to the world about how the people really feel. If however the games are well attended by all Zimbabweans, then the cause of freedom, the rule of law, and democracy itself in Zimbabwe will be greatly damaged.

We hope that all in Zimbabwe will make the right choice when the time for that choice arrives in February. Show Mugabe and the worlds greedy cricketing associations the Red Card, get the anti Mugabe message across when the worlds spotlight falls on Zimbabwe.

Embassy of Rhodesia in Iceland