Labour governments have always been too weak to do anything meaningful about Zimbabwe. I doubt whether the Brown government will be any different.

Charan Muzaya, London, UK

Re Theresa comment she could be describing Britain!

I'd like to know how Gordon Brown feels he can criticize Robert Mugabe when he failed to hold a general election in Britain last year, frightened of losing power maybe! Not to mention the U turn of a referendum of the Lisbon treaty, what a hypocrite.

SHIRLEY , Josselin, France

Oh the naiveity of the article! What would be the justification of international peace keeping troops in Zimbabwe? Why the concerted effort to wriggle China's hand in dropping support for Zimbabwe? Why hasn't Britain been similarly worried about the real crisis in Darfur? Shouldn't an international force be marshalled to deal with the helpless in Darfur? Shouldn't China be plodded to exert more of a hand in Darfur than Zimbabwe?
British attempts to corrupt fellow Security Council members is a blatant misuse of influence. It's ironic that the world's worst abuser of human rights - China, is the nation Britain thinks can resolve alleged human rights abuses, utterly comical! Britain has no shame going to bed with Saudi Arabia - a chronic abuser of human and specifically women's rights! We hear no complaints about Saudi Arabia but only daily braying about Zimbabwe! What hypocrisy!

Gilbert Phiri, Swindon, UK

This weekends SADC meeting is a chance to see whether this body has any real substance or not. In supporting the "quiet diplomacy" over Zimbabwe, as espoused by SA President Thabo Mbeki,, they bear responsibility for the brutal regime that they have allowed to keep in office. The recent elections were unequivocal in placing parliament in the hands of the MDC and the Presidential elections (which have still to be formally published) were clearly of a similar result, or ZANU/PF would have told us so. Although the international community (especially Britain) should be involved in restructuring a country devastated by state sponsored starvation, corruption and poor governance, it is the African Union and SADC that needs to have the courage to tell Mugabe to go. They must do so now for the sake of the Zimbabwean people and for Africa as a whole.

Martyn McCormack, Nantwich, UK

So Roger prefers Mugabe? So what are you doing in St Albans ENGLAND if he and what he is doing to Zimbabweis so great1

(Yes, the opposition may not be wondeful, but anything is better than the crook Mugabe)

Andrew, Cambridge,

Right, so Brown should make it clear that 'they could ask that the 2010 World cup to be moved...' who are the 'they.' Britain, a medium power, doesn't have such influence. And consider this, European colonials ochestrate world cup move, African countries boycott the tournament. Whose moral victory?

Tom Baker, London, Uk

Brown and others must put pressure on Mbeki and make it clear they could ask the 2010 World cup to be moved if the region is unstable.The world cup could get bad press like the one the Olympic torch is getting.So Mbeki should be made to play ball that world events which are cash bonanzas to come to bad neighbourhoods

Zimbo, harara, Zimbabwe

As a Zimbabwean I am amazed at the rather simple analysis that is offered to explain modern day Zimbabwe; by way of simply labelling Mugabe a dictator and ordaining the opposition leader as some sort of messaih. So the Mugabe who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth in 1994 and his Zanu party who liberated us and allowed us access to education and better opportunity should now bow out owing to unfair economic sanctions and make way for some trade unionist who dropped out of school at 16 ? How would the British like it if the EU or America imposed sancitons on them and demanded that Bob Crow rising on the wave of popular support from ordinary Britons suffereng economically be installed as their new leader ? The establishment wouldn't have it - same thing in Zim we ain't having it ! Looking at the multitudes of black americans in jail or the very poorly schooled black Brits I meet here I can never be conviced that the so called west ever has the interest of the africans at heart. Let us be !

Roger Ndaba , St Albans, UK

Gordon Brown resolve the Zimbabwe situation , dont make me laugh , I doubt whether he could find it on the map , What he will do of course is throw pots of British taxpayers money at it , bask in some reflected glory and this will be acclaimed as a solution by 98% of somebodies population . What Mugs these people really are

Ed Allen, Whitby, Canada

It is good to have this kind of analysis available.

1. So we are engaging China.
2. South Africa is currently presiding or chairing over the Security Council. I thought it was chaired? Zimbabwe was chair during the first Iraq war.
3. Libya might veto - doesn't Zimbabwe still owe them some money for all that oil!

I think we might be getting to the issues now. I wonder what others will come out?

Jo, Olney, UK

The only pivotal role Brown will play is to act as the conduit for our money to transferred to another failed African state.
Easy come easy go especially when its not your money to give away.
Cant wait to read the conditions attached ,absolutely laughable which is exactly what the africans are doing to us, hence the race card.

Paul Anthony, reading, uk

And not just HIS money - the millions, indeed billions of US dollars that the military chiefs, government officials, other sidekicks and their wifes have grubbed over 28 years of hands in the till - there is a shedload somewhere.
It is the very reason they all want to hang on to government (and I use the term loosely here) no matter the cost - it's ALL about the money and the power to do with it as they please.

Susan, Texas, USA

I visited Zimbabwe in 2005 and what I saw broke my heart. Starving people...no food...no water...their money worthless...no healthcare...no shelter...desolate land in what was once lucious and productive agriculture. Zimbabwe has a very complicated situation. Tensions are high. People have been deceived by Mugabe and his lies. Certain people have profited highly from his reign. Promises have been made if he can stay in power. Mugabe definately needs to be removed from office...I just wonder who/"what" will take his place?

Teresa, Ely, USA/Iowa

Use mugabe's money first.

m wilson, bidache, france