S.Africa union blocks arms headed for Zimbabwe

[maddezmom]

Source: Reuters

JOHANNESBURG, April 18 (Reuters) - A South African union has refused to unload arms from a Chinese ship destined for Zimbabwe, in a politically charged move challenging President Thabo Mbeki's handling of relations with the neighbouring state.

Unions have been highly critical of Mbeki for not taking a tougher line against Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, who is locked in an election stalemate with the opposition over the delay of results from a March 29 election that has raised fears of violence.

The 300,000-strong South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) said it would not unload the weapons in the port city of Durban because Mugabe's government might use them to crack down on opponents in the disputed election.

The weapons were to be transported to land-locked Zimbabwe.

"We are concerned that the current standoff could mean the arms would fall into the hands of those who want to use military force against the people of Zimbabwe," SATAWU General Secretary Randall Howard told Reuters on Friday.

Read more: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L18837721.htm

[BeliQueen]

1. Woderful news

If there's going to be a change it has to start with people who stand up for what's right even if it's not "their" problem.

[mainegreen]

2. Good. SA has been wobbly on the crisis in Zimbabwe lately.

Maybe they'll start to take it more seriously.

[DavidDvorkin]

4. The government has been wobbly

I don't think the public has been.

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

5. There isn't much they can do - short of an invasion.

the greatest fear guiding their "policy" on Zimbabwe is the ever expanding refugee crisis - any action that would create greater tension in Zimbabwe means more refugees in South Africa.

The problem is combined by the more radical elements of the ANC who honestly believe that the policies of Robert Mugabe is the great hope for Africa. Then there is Jacob Zuma, who despite being idologically close to Mugabe has some Zulu tribal shit going on with Mugabe that I don't really understand. He is unlikely to be a helpful influence in Zimbabwe with or without Mugabe as Tsvangirai is also Shona and he sure as hell won't like Roy Bennett a prominant rhodesian liberal close to Tsvangirai.

[Eugene]

3. Update at link: Arms ship leaves SAfrica after court ruling

Source: Reuters

Arms ship leaves SAfrica after court ruling
18 Apr 2008 21:30:27 GMT
Source: Reuters
(Recasts with departure of ship)

By Michael Georgy

JOHANNESBURG, April 18 (Reuters) - A ship carrying arms
to Zimbabwe left South African waters on Friday after a
court refused to allow the weapons to be transported
across South Africa, SAPA news agency said.

The An Yue Jiang, a Chinese ship, had been at anchor off
Durban on South Africa's Indian Ocean coast since Monday,
turning into a flashpoint for trade unions and others
critical of President Thabo Mbeki's quiet diplomacy
toward Zimbabwe.

The 300,000-strong South African Transport and Allied
Workers Union (SATAWU) refused to unload the weapons
because of concerns Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's
government might use them against opponents in the post-
election stalemate.

Several hours after Durban High Court Judge Kate Pillay
gave her ruling the ship lifted anchor and left, SAPA said,
citing sources that requested anonymity.

It was not clear where it was going.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L18837721.htm

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

6. I would bet it is going to Beira in Mozambique

[muriel_volestrangler]

10. Angola, according to the Zimbabwean government

Meanwhile, a Chinese ship carrying arms to Zimbabwe has left the South African port of Durban after workers would not unload it.

Its whereabouts is currently not known - there were reports that it was en route to Mozambique, but the country's transport minister, Paulo Zucula, told Reuters new agency that the ship was in fact headed to Angola.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7356467.stm

[OKthatsIT]

7. OH? Was the UN International Rotary Club involved?

You'd be surprised how these Arms Dealers get around.

[Name removed]

8. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[ohio2007]

9. Chinese supplied arms still get through

Zimbabwe Arms Shipped by China Spark an Uproar

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/19/world/africa/19zimbabwe.html?_r=1&ex=1366344000&en=e666dbc52496f6f2&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin

China trades arms for oil