Mugabe needs to go or we shall have another Congo or Liberia or Somalia which is bad for us all. Violence and intimidation have no place in the civilized world. I think the UN Security Council must make sure MUgabe leaves, if not use force.

Kashyap, Victoria, Canada

why can't the big guns put an end to this situation?.If Saddam was stopped why not get Mugabe?.

Jo wales , sydney,

Professional journalism should include an official statement from the Zimbabwe government as to the reasons for their detention.

Diplomats spy as well a serve in a humanitarian capacity.

"WHAT HAPPENED: Inside the Bush White House and Washington's Culture of Deception" is recommended.

Lloyd Whitefield Butler Jr., New York, USA

Britain put this madman in power despite what the Rhodesians said he would do once there.

Alan, London,

The arrest of the British and American diplomats in Zimbabwe is just one incident in many happening to the zimbabweans themselves. But when it happens to one of our own we are up in arms about it, but we choose to look other way when it happens to the Zimbabweans. We are just as quilty as Mugabe.

Joyce Banes , Hereford, UK

To get Zimbabwe out from under the yoke of Mugabe, the "West" would have to boot him out. But if it did that, the streets of London would be crammed with placards screaming: "Not in My Name".

Government by pressure-group is not sensible - let alone Democratic. Meanwhile people die like flies.

Ken Leyland, Liverpool, U.K.

I have recently been to Zimbabwe. The reports of mass starvation are false. According to your reports, more than 3m Zimbabeans have left the country. Surely, these are supporting immediate and extended families. The NGOs are not apolitical. Looks like Tsvangirai is the problem not the solution.

davis, manchester,

Vivek, London, UK

Yes there r many cowboys & arm chair generals giving instructions&suggestions that relate to violence not problem solving. These people forget that their countries r fully engaged in other matters requiring manpower & resources. What wld happen if they run out of these assets.

Lim , Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Winston Nkomo-Mason, Johannesburg, South Africa

Yes African brothers & sisters, stand up and be counted. Many of you have been colonized before. It is time you decide your own destiny and rule the land that rightly belong to you in the way you think fit without undue external influence.

Lim , Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Why can't we fly in at night and just arrest him on internationa grounds and put him in the hauge. Alertative to arrest him while abroad, no one will really care if we break the international law of diplomacy, no one will object except other likemined villans.

Daniel, Bristol, UK

Does no one learn, not even Americans? Getting troops in is easy, it's getting out again that is difficult.
Could the monster be arrested in Europe for crimes against humanity on behalf the Internation Court of Justice?

Tom , Holmfirth, England

Perhaps Robert knows when he loses power he will face courts at home and on an international level and will either spend the rest of his life in jail, or be hanged for multiple murder and genocide.
Why not offer him a safe haven somewhere and when he accepts, rendition him. It could be the new way.

E.L. SORDO, GLASGOW, SCOTLAND

Mr Tsvangarai's the only one with a shred of common sense in all of this. Mugabe's a raving lunatic; the West does nothing but act shocked at his every transgression. Tsvangarai doesn't hold many cards; all he can do is hope this next vote is in his favor. Then who knows what will happen?

gb, Austin, USA

Winston Nkomo-Mason seems to reflect dominant African thinking. For me his view is blind and inhumane. I suspect Zimbabwe is not the worst case just the one that gets into our news. I would leave Africa alone except essential humanitarian aid. I do not think justice can be imposed from the outside

David, Bristol, UK

Western friends, pls don't be arrogant. In the old days, you came, you saw & you conquered. Many African & Asian countries crumbled under your power. Today, if you still have that all conquering mentality you should think twice. The other world has awaken. They do not want to be colonized again

Lim , Johor Bahru, Malaysia

All just words.

I imagine 2,000 paratroops would terminate Mugabe and his lot in a day.

Roger, Ipswich,

Yo Mr American Cowboy Gerard!
You can only think of using force, and create chaos for its and your own people when they start returning back home in bodybags....
It is extremely shameful and deplorable on the happenings in Zimbabwe, but there are other means of resolving this situation.

Vivek, London, UK

Peace be among Africans and war against those who would remove our ancient liberties and impose the imperialist way of life. Comrade Mugabe will win the election not steal it. Indeed, the struggle for justice continues but please do not exaggerate the violence or hunger of the Zimbabwean people –their greatest hunger is the desire for autonomy, uhuru, ubuntu and African identity.

Winston Nkomo-Mason, Johannesburg, South Africa

Is it not time that we have a UN sanctioned military force that can go in and take these people out - not go to war with the country and its people but just eliminate the individuals causing harm to their own citizens. This behaviour is inexcusable in this day and age.

gerard , santa fe, usa

If the leader of any other country behaved like Mugabe, the rest of the world would soon put a stop to his activities. But since this is Africa and his fellow African leaders won't raise a finger against him (fearful for their own power?) we can only watch the unfolding tragedy in helpless despair.

JF, Canterbury, UK

The West should have imposed sanctions on South Africa years ago. That was the only way to get to the heart of the problem. But the guilt-ridden liberals provide the ANC with moral cover. They will do the same when South Africa goes the same way - and poor blacks will pay for their self-indulgence.

Oliver Chettle, Bedford,

The United Nations. Absolutely Useless. Worse than that they a cowards when it comes to any thing in Africa. It is always the West's fault . The UN should be totally ashamed !!!!!! Better still disbanded ,

Howard, Nanaimo BC , Canada

Uncle Bob Mugabwe, like the 'Blue Peter' statement - 'Here are Ballot Boxes wot I made earlier!' thus it was, so thus it always will be until Uncle Bob 'pops his clogs'. There are too many hangers-on who have plenty to loose if Mr Mugabwe disappears. Just hope he dont turn up at Terminal 5 Heathrow.

B Clark, Chelmsford, England

There must be something wrong when corrupt governments conduct themselves in the manner of Myanmar and Zimbabwe, and the United Nations can do nothing. If this institution cannot act against these tiny fiefdoms of tyranny, what good can it ever do?

randy, portland, USA

A very well-written and accurate article. This is perhaps the most crucial month in the history of Zimbabwe. The world cannot look on and watch Mugabe steal his third straight election.

The people have spoken democratically, the west must amplify their voices.

Dale Haslam, Manchester,

Where are the so-called leaders of the free world now! It seems that no oil or WMDs in Zimbabwe has relegated it to the backbench of world attention. Daily examples of the suppression and destruction of the rights the US (et al) purportedly holds so dear see them conspicuously absent - Shame!

Jae, Canberra, Australia

Is there anywhere in the World where such behaviour is encouraged by a desperate government our friends in zimbabwe tell us of attrocities to humans animals pets that would sicken anyone.
but what will happen, there will be untold violence if not civil war after the election whatever result.

jack randall, worcester, uk

I am sorry, but, in all respect, I can think of a few additional consequences "in extremis" that we may wish to ponder should this state of affairs continue (or worsen) in Zimbabwe, particularly the harassment (or worse) of U.S. and British diplomats.

Aaron M, Arlington, Virginia, USA

As an ex Zimbabwe may I just say to the world governments - stop pussy footing around and do something - are human lives not more valuable than mere oil, gold, diamonds???? or are you all so deep in each others pockets you only verbalize but never do anything - Zimbabweans want change. can you help?

Louise James, Wellington, New Zealand

I can only hope that US involvement as a UN member nation in this Zimbabwe affair does not hinder UN efforts due to our impaired credibility because of Iraq. I would also like to see a tangible display that Democratic Principle is still regarded here in the United States as much as petroleum...

K. E. Shultz, Springfield, Ohio, United States

This seems to be yet another case of UN inaction! Toothless Tiger no less!!!!

Rick Corbett, Glen iris, Australia