Comments on: Don’t play Zimbabwe http://crucket.co.nz/2009/02/dont-play-zimbabwe/ Dedicated to the best little cricket team in the world – New Zealand's Black Caps Wed, 12 Oct 2011 07:42:42 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Moses http://crucket.co.nz/2009/02/dont-play-zimbabwe/comment-page-1/#comment-497 Moses Tue, 24 Feb 2009 03:12:21 +0000 http://crucket.co.nz/?p=359#comment-497 I agree the NZ government shouldn't ban travel for their players and it sets a nasty precadent, however the alternative is giving Mugabe a sizable forex donation from television rights through his puppets at Zimbabwe Cricket. Personally I (and my Zimbo wife) were happy when Johnny Howard canned our last tour. I agree you shouldn't tour - despite the 'power sharing agreement' in place, this is only due to the fact that Mugabe didn't accept the results of an election that was neither free or fair and he still lost. After two recounts Mugabe claimed victory, fortunately some other African leaders finally put some pressure on him (not South Africa of course, but Kenya and Zambia). The power sharing agreement was negotiated with ex Saffa president Thaibo Mbeki (related to Mugabe through marriage and also linked as ANC terrorists sought harbour in Zimbabwe during the appartheid era). The government formed by power sharing involved Mugabe as President, Tsvangirai as Prime Minister, and MDC stooges in every other post of note. Tsvangirai opposed the deal and exiled himself. Meanwhile the country is ravaged by inflation, cholera, massive starvation and the army who are gunning down illegal miners trying to feed their families. Tsvangirai likely agreed to the power sharing deal to start foreign aid flowing back in... I agree the NZ government shouldn’t ban travel for their players and it sets a nasty precadent, however the alternative is giving Mugabe a sizable forex donation from television rights through his puppets at Zimbabwe Cricket. Personally I (and my Zimbo wife) were happy when Johnny Howard canned our last tour.

I agree you shouldn’t tour – despite the ‘power sharing agreement’ in place, this is only due to the fact that Mugabe didn’t accept the results of an election that was neither free or fair and he still lost. After two recounts Mugabe claimed victory, fortunately some other African leaders finally put some pressure on him (not South Africa of course, but Kenya and Zambia).

The power sharing agreement was negotiated with ex Saffa president Thaibo Mbeki (related to Mugabe through marriage and also linked as ANC terrorists sought harbour in Zimbabwe during the appartheid era).

The government formed by power sharing involved Mugabe as President, Tsvangirai as Prime Minister, and MDC stooges in every other post of note. Tsvangirai opposed the deal and exiled himself.

Meanwhile the country is ravaged by inflation, cholera, massive starvation and the army who are gunning down illegal miners trying to feed their families. Tsvangirai likely agreed to the power sharing deal to start foreign aid flowing back in…

]]> By: Bossy http://crucket.co.nz/2009/02/dont-play-zimbabwe/comment-page-1/#comment-404 Bossy Sun, 22 Feb 2009 11:51:10 +0000 http://crucket.co.nz/?p=359#comment-404 I agree that the tour should not go ahead, so long as Mugabe clings to power. However, in the intervening time, if the coalition does seem to be working, it could be seen an opportunity to help these people get back on their feet. But I'd be surprised if the coalition works. In the long term, once the dust clears there is going to be one sorry country needing a shit-load of help from the rest of the world, and the other cricket test playing nations should be the first to offer help in whatever way they can. (In my humble opinion :) ) I agree that the tour should not go ahead, so long as Mugabe clings to power. However, in the intervening time, if the coalition does seem to be working, it could be seen an opportunity to help these people get back on their feet. But I’d be surprised if the coalition works. In the long term, once the dust clears there is going to be one sorry country needing a shit-load of help from the rest of the world, and the other cricket test playing nations should be the first to offer help in whatever way they can. (In my humble opinion :) )

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