Israel & Hamas Agree On One Thing: Keep Fighting

Officials from both Hamas and Israel today rebuffed the United Nations call for a cease-fire in Gaza, both claiming the proposed plan is not in the best interest of their countries or their people. Hamas further blasted the United States claiming that their Abstain vote on the UN resolution (rather than a veto or a yes vote) is designed to give Israel more time in Gaza. This is likely true, and unbalanced or not, this kind of UN action is really lacking any bite without US backing. Either that, or Secretary Rice sees the enticing possibility of not having to deal with Gaza and passing the task to Hillary Clinton in 11 days. Meanwhile, the Red Cross is accusing Israel of blocking humanitarian relief efforts in Gaza, which may or may not be true, but they are certainly not wholly cooperating.

The Vatican is also sounding off about the humanitarian conditions of the Gaza Strip, causing an explosive back-and-forth between Cardinal Renato Martino, the president of the Council for Justice and Peace and Yigal Palmor, a spokesman for the Israeli Foreign Ministry. Martino compared the Gaza Strip to a "big concentration camp," which admittedly is inflammatory language. Palmor quickly fired back, that it was “shocking to hear the vocabulary of Hamas propaganda coming from a member of the church." The Vatican officially downplayed the spat, calling Cardinal Martino's words, "inopportune."

Iran is also pulling back its rhetoric, with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei refusing to let known extremists out of the country to carry out suicide bombings in Israel. In a show of division inside Iran, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, although supportive of the Ayatollah's wishes, continues to talk big about supporting Hamas in "other ways." Anti-Israel and anti-US protests in Iraq continued today as well. Moqtada al-Sadr called for revenge attacks on the Jewish state's strongest ally the United States. This is going to get worse before it gets better.

Zimbabwe: Tsvangirai Throws Down The Gauntlet

Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai on Friday issued an ultimatum to President Robert Mugabe. The leader of Zimbabwe's party, the Movement for Democratic Change has said that if 42 activists being illegally detained by Mugabe's regime are not released, he will withdraw from the power-sharing agreement the two have been negotiating since September. On Dec 19th, Mugabe made his first substantive move toward true cooperation by offering Tsvangirai to be sworn in as Zimbabwe's Prime Minister. Tsvangirai made a statement to reporters in Gaborone, Botswana, saying "The MDC can no longer sit at the same negotiating table with a party that is abducting our members and other innocent civilians and refusing to produce any of them before a court of law." In a responsive press conference, Mugabe claimed, "Zimbabwe is mine," and further asserts that no other African government can "topple him," claiming no other nation is brave enough to challenge him.

Removing Mugabe

Today, The Guardian UK has an article calling for "soft removal" of Mugabe. Not such a bad idea. HERE.

It's Time To Extract Mugabe

If a western head of state had acted even half as horrifically as Zimbabwe's unelected ruling tyrant, Robert Mugabe, international forces would have extracted them from power and brought them before the UN criminal courts long ago. Zimbabwe is on the brink of total collapse. There is no drinkable water, as Mugabe's military has seized control of water sources and stopped chlorination. 80% of schools are closed. The cholera epidemic has already killed hundreds, affected thousands, and worldwide health organizations estimate millions could die. Mugabe has retracted every compromise he has ever agreed to with the actually elected ruling party, Movement for Democratic Change. Meanwhile, potent African neighboring governments are sitting by silent while activists are disappearing. Zimbabwe's highest court has ordered police to search for these missing activists, which will result either in nothing, or their deaths, as Mugabe has an iron-fisted control of the police. Mugabe also claims the cholera epidemic is contained, which is an obvious lie. How much longer can the people of Zimbabwe wait? And what is anyone afraid of? It's time to remove Mugabe from power, by force if he cannot be convinced to resign.

Jimmy Carter On Human Rights

Jimmy Carter has a very good article in the Washington post today about Human Rights and America's roles therein, as well as the need for the US to take steps back to being a global leader in human rights causes. HERE.

Cholera Epidemic In Zimbabwe Sparks Mugabe Conflict

Just over two weeks ago I reported that former President Jimmy Carter and his humanitarian organization, "The Elders" had been barred from entering Zimbabwe to inspect the humanitarian conditions within, specifically an outbreak of cholera. Since that time African governments have gotten involved, along with other big players in the UN. Zimbabwe's president, Robert Mugabe has been blamed, and now even President Bush is calling for action. Of course, Mugabe is resisting the nearly worldwide call for his resignation. For now, the African Union has rejected the idea of "stronger measures" (i.e.: military intervention) but if Mugabe's non-cooperation, coupled with his blatant tyranny continue, it can't be long before foreign troops are on the ground in Zimbabwe.

President Carter Refused Entry to Zimbabwe, Humanitarian Crisis Called "Shocking"

Mugabe Shakes His Fist, South Africa Intervenes

Carter and his trio refused access to Zimbabwe

Former US President Jimmy Carter and three others were refused entry visas to Zimbabwe to assess the "humanitarian conditions." BBC reports Carter, former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, and Nelson Mandela's wife, Graca Machel, traveling on behalf of their organization, The Elders, were shocked by the terrible conditions, indicating, "The country's basic structure was "broken down", he said, with provision of food, healthcare and education all serious problems." A major outbreak of cholera is reported to be running unchecked because of lack of drugs treatments or access to medical facilities. --BBC News

South African government intervenes

Political heavyweights in Africa are weighing in, some in a heavy-handed way, in reaction to such a massive human crisis. Jacob Zuma, leader of the African National Congress, stated, ""Let us find a way to implement the agreement for the sake of Zimbabweans," Mr Zuma said. "We cannot stay with the agreement without implementing it. It is now an urgent matter, people are dying," and has indicated the ANC will send a delegation to Zimbabwe to help facilitate a political solution.--AP

The South African President Kgalema Motlanthe, recently assumed office, is hosting a meeting Tuesday, Nov. 25th to facilitate a power sharing agreement between Zimbabwe's rival governments, whose clash is overshadowing all other national concerns. BBC reports:

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF and the opposition Movement of Democratic Change (MDC) are in a power-sharing stand-off following disputed presidential elections earlier this year.They have agreed to form a government of national unity but been unable to agree on who should fill key ministries. --BBC

Mugabe and Annan crossfire

Zimbabwe's President Mugabe has accused Carter, Annan, and Mechel of "illegal regime change," and the trio of Elders, "a clique... of personalities hostile to Zimbabwe, a partisan mission by a group of people with partisan interests." Mr. Annan issued a counterstatement today saying his group's only intent would be to, "make a first-hand assessment of the humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe, to meet those working on the ground, to better assess the extent of the crisis and how assistance can be improved," and that they have "no interest" in the power struggle between Mr Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the Movement for Democratic Change, calling it a "stalemate." --Times Online

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Photo courtesy of AFP