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.