While it is clear that the election was a sham and that Mr. Mugabe is nothing but a third world dictator, the sad fact is that Africa is a continent where such elections and such rulers are the rule rather than the exception.

However tempting, intervention is still wrong.

Patrick, Portland, USA

Angela, Epping, Australia

4) The leaders of both Zim & Myanmar may be labelled as "despot" by the West but to others they are nationalist who do not want to be pawns of any country. To remain sovereign sacrifices have to be made.
Sorry Angela, I won't be able to write within this space. Tks.

Lim , Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Angela, Epping, Australia
Looking back at history we will learn that human decency came with a price. People were killed or massacred in disputes, conflicts and war. The West industrialised early and became powerful and went on to take slaves and colonized. Were there decency then?
040708

Lim , Johor Bahru, Malaysia

They ran to the US embassy because they know no matter how much our own friends hate us and slander us in the press , they know we will try to help even if its ham-handed. They saw Europe talk while people died in Rawanda, women shot in Afgan, and money made on the Oil for Food while bodies piled up

William, Atlanta, USA

Lim, the similarities between Zim and Burma is that they are run by ruthless despots who sacrifice their countrymen for wealth and power. No one should justify the deaths of thousands of innocent people on the basis that they were pro- or anti- West. They were all entitled to a little decency.

Angela, Epping, Australia

I can see similarities in Zim & Myanmar. Both are anti West which fully supports the MDC in Zim. and the Suu Kyi pro democracy party in Myanmar. The West has "nice" labels for both countries and "cries" for regime change so that d pro west party in either country can take over. hmm humanity?
0407

Lim, Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Oh Lim, back to blaming the big bad West for Mugabe. Is this the reason for the other African horror stories too? Congo? Sudan? Does being an ex-colony mean an eternal free pass? If we truly did not care and left these poor people to a private slaughter, wouldn't you then call us callous Westerners?

Angela, Epping, Australia

David Ashton, Bathurst, Australia

It is back to square one. How can there be a free and fair election when one party was unduly "influenced and supported by external powers"? I think it was this meddling in the politics that was the main cause for all that had happened. It is sad for Zim
040708

Lim , Johor Bahru, Malaysia

What is this? People in fear of persecution are going to the United States Embassy for protection? I thought we were the evil of the world? Why not go to France's or Germany's Embassy? They know what's best for everyone.

Sam, Minnesota, USA

How can anyone condone Mugabe? All the Zimbabweans want is to have a free and fair election and elect who THEY want. the only people trying to impose something on them are Mugabe himself and Mbeki who supports him and sells him arms to oppress his own people.

David Ashton, Bathurst, Australia