Article Search

 UK 'puzzled' by SA's attitude to Zim
    February 10 2004 at 11:12AM Get IOL on your
mobile at m.iol.co.za

By Gillian Jones

Britain was perplexed by the South Africa government's attitude towards Zimbabwe, senior British parliamentarian Donald Anderson said on Tuesday.

"We are puzzled by the South African government's attitude to Zimbabwe because South Africa is such a successful model of transition," he told reporters.

"We thought South Africa would be in the leading role on human rights," he said, commenting on South Africa's policy of "quiet diplomacy" as a means of dealing with human rights abuses in Zimbabwe.

'South Africa is paying the price for what is happening in Zimbabwe'
Anderson is chairperson of the House of Commons foreign affairs committee, which is in South Africa on a fact-finding mission.
Continues Below ↓





"It would be better for foreign investors in South Africa if the government had a clear stance on human rights. South Africa is paying the price for what is happening in Zimbabwe.

"From the British point of view, we can see the costs, including financial costs. Foreign capital is a scarce resource and it will go where investors (have positive impressions). It may be difficult for South Africa to separate itself from Zimbabwe in the perceptions of foreign investors."

He said before they arrived in South Africa, the committee were puzzled why South Africa did not recognise this.

Since their arrival, he said they had heard various reasons why the country continued with "quiet diplomacy".

'Since we have been here we have received a more balanced and nuanced view'
"Since we have been here we have received a more balanced and nuanced view."

One opinion was that letting Zimbabwe completely collapse would affect South Africa because of an influx of Zimbabwean refugees and the adverse economic effects.

Anderson said there were ties of solidarity between South Africa and Zimbabwe, "although there were problems here with the reverence of Robert Mugabe" as a liberation leader.

"But from the British perspective human rights are human rights, and this is not altered by the Limpopo (River)," said Anderson.


Continues...


Email StoryPrint Story
BOOKMARK THIS STORY
Social bookmarking allows users to save and categorise a personal collection of bookmarks and share them with others. This is different to using your own browser bookmarks which are available using the menus within your web browser.

Use the links below to share this article on the social bookmarking site of your choice.

Read more about social bookmarking at Wikipedia - Social Bookmarking

muti



     Related Articles
More Southern Africa stories

Watch IOLs latest videos on YouTube Join IOLs Facebook page Follow IOL on Twitter





     Online Services

Date Your Destiny
 
I'm a 45 year old man looking to meet women between the ages of 26 and 45.
 

     More Services

     More Southern Africa Stories

     Breaking News      Most Read Stories
      Top News Stories
      Top Africa Stories
      Top Reads - Yesterday



     Entertainment      Motoring
Autopsy report says Jackson wore a wig
Angelina Jolie tours Haiti
Tom Cruise dons mission gear

     Business
Jobs data reveals SA on the right road
Forget about rand; schooling key to growth
Swiss to buy into Adcock division
FIRST DRIVES: Hyundai's new 'Tucson' and sexy Sonata
Killer crash bags in fresh recall scandal
Struggling new teams can miss three races - Todt
Classic machines howl at Killarney Historic meeting
Yamaha, Ducati set pace at Sepang

     Travel
SA's first liquor-free hotel
Gateway to love is around the corner
Explore the real SA for yourself
Full-body scanners ready to boost security
Fun on islands in the sun
     Careers
Changing lanes in the career highway
Getting to grips with the transport industry
To be your own boss, believe in yourself first
Salary survey puts unstable economy into the equation
Development of child is key