From the Foreign Secretary

Sir, Your news coverage has over many years chronicled the death and destruction wrought on Zimbabwe by Robert Mugabe and his cohort. Any sane person realises that Mugabe’s misrule is only spurring Zimbabwe’s descent into chaos. But your leading article (“The failure of quiet diplomacy”, Dec 22) channelled frustration at his continued abuse of power into an attack on the FCO without logic, fact or justification.

You rightly say that “words do little to halt cholera”. But you are wrong to protest that the British Government has engaged in “quiet diplomacy”. On the contrary, our words have been consistent, clear and loud. The Prime Minister and I have spoken up for the people of Zimbabwe, who have voted clearly for change.

And Lord Malloch-Brown \ could not have been franker when asked about Zimbabwe on the Today programme this week: Mugabe is an absolutely impossible obstacle. If Zimbabwe is to haul itself — with the help it needs and deserves — out of its current meltdown, Mugabe has to go.

You cite the issue of British companies that do business in Zimbabwe. Of the 21 companies you say have been placed on the US Treasury blacklist, the vast majority are owned by one man. EU-wide action is most effective, and we will press for this in the new year. We have not argued for a total ban on business engagement with Zimbabwe, nor for a “fuel blockade”. I do not dismiss this argument but have so far concluded that further direct damage to the employment and livelihoods of ordinary Zimbabweans would not be right. The last to feel the effects of such blockades would be Mugabe and his entourage. Nor has the democratic opposition in Zimbabwe called for such measures. But we strongly encourage UK companies to ensure that they invest ethically in Zimbabwe and avoid those investments that prop up the elite responsible for repressive action and the subversion of the democratic process.

You also argue for greater action in the UN Security Council. We agree. Last July the UK called and voted for a sanctions resolution. But this was vetoed by Russia and China. They must now answer for their approach. Nevertheless we have persisted in keeping Zimbabwe on the Security Council’s agenda, most recently at the ministerial meeting I attended in New York last week. It is our strong view that this international crisis requires international attention, and we will continue to make that case. It is obvious to everyone that neighbouring states, especially South Africa, have most to lose from instability in Zimbabwe and most to gain from change. That is why we continue to emphasise their role and responsibilities and to urge them to take action.

As long as Mugabe rules Zimbabwe he remains a stain on that country. I acknowledge that he is also a stain on the international community, which has not been able to deliver the will of the Zimbabwean people. If attacking the FCO would help a single Zimbabwean I would understand that might be a price worth paying. But it does not.

David Miliband

Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

Sir, Zimbabwe will remain the shambles it is so long as the talking shop continues.

Lindsay J. Keith

Hurstpierpoint, W Sussex

Explore Letters

• Feedback