World Cup Diplomacy for Zimbabwe

Sir, With reference to The Financial Times' June 24th editorial on Zimbabwe, "it is time for Africa to ostracize Mugabe's regime," I clearly concur, yet I would proceed on.  The 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa may be the carrot and solution to end the troubles in Zimbabwe.

Mr. Mugabe's thuggish despotic regime could not be in power with out the tacit support of other African nations -- in particular South Africa.  Gideon Rachman has rightfully pointed out that 'South Africa has more power over Zimbabwe than any other country in the world' ("Paths out of Zimbabwe's dead end," June 24).  Mr. Mbeki, the President of South Africa, has had no solution thus far for his neighbor's horrific and dehumanizing mess.  Rather, Mr. Mbeki has enabled Mr. Mugabe to stay in power, and hence South Africa has become part of the problem.

If apartheid was unacceptable -- and it was -- then so too is a Mugabe government in Zimbabwe today.  The world needs to have Mr. Mbeki and South Africa understand this as well.  Only an outside force like South Africa can depose the ill that infects Zimbabwe.  Perhaps if South Africa fully appreciates that the troubles in Zimbabwe have destabilized herself as a proper venue for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, she will take action to end the Mugabe rule of Zimbabwe and save the games.

"I Am Of Ireland"

Published : June 21 2008 03:00 The Financial Times Limited 2008

Sir, With reference to the FT's analysis of the Irish No Vote on the Lisbon Treaty: I would proffer that the only reason for incredulity is that the European Union let a democratic vote happen. 

A constitution, even one called a "treaty," is a document of principle -- it is a pearl. It is not a document of subsidies and superfluous special privileges for the elite. It is not pork.

I believe that it would be naive to think that the ruling elite and their stakeholders have not always used government for their own interests. Yet, in today's complex global society, there is now a price to be paid. Given a choice, as were the Danes in 1992, the French and Dutch in 2005, and now the Irish in 2008, an intelligent and informed populace will reject this folly, aka the Treaty of Lisbon. It is not that they know not what they do -- it is precisely that they do know what this treaty represents.

A blow for freedom has been struck. A blow in opposition to supercilious bureaucrats. A blow for the good sense of the common man -- he knows better than to give pearls to pigs. So, today, take a drink and say: "I am of Ireland."