Boris,Belgravia-You are perfectly entitled to your view of Kofi Annan. Yes, International co-operation is important but surrely a Zim driven solution is better than an imposed one . Don't forget that less than 2.5m Zims voted in the last two elections. Is that a majority view?

Davis, Mancheater,

David - if Charan Muzaya is right and the Zim top brass DO have kids studying in Europe, then I would say under the new sanctions these kids should be deported back to Zim. This would hurt the top brass but would not affect the poor people in any way. But will the EU enforce this??? Probably not.

David Ashton, Bathurst, Australia

Charan Muzaya - Its widely known that most politicians( from both opposition and ruling parties ) have children studying abroad. Are you saying that they are all creaming then? Interesting information!

Davis, Manchester,

David...don't you read these articles? The sanctions are targeted at individuals who are causing the hardships in Zim, as Charan says they won't affect most individuals. I think the world' s learned something since the Rhodesian days (not a lot though!). Mugabe hurts the povo more than sanctions.

David Ashton, Bathurst , Australia

"We must tear down the world's walls."

Statement by Barack Obama. Tonight in Berlin.

Boris, Belgravia, United Kingdom

"Respected UN figure Kofi Anan !!!!!" Figurehead rather. No Un secreatry general past or present is respected and neither is the organisation. Common knowledge!

Joe, Maine, US

Davis, Manchester

Respected UN figure Kofi Anan has said that international co-operation is essential to end territorial isolation and help resolve problems of dictatorship and terrorism in the world today.

His words are a generally agreed world view and contrary to your own isolated opinions.

Boris, Belgravia, United Kingdom

Davis, Manchester,
Those with concern for the suffering of ordinary Zims hope for a successful AND just outcome to the negotiations. Your suggestion for a purely "Zim solution by Zims" is tantamount to giving Robert Mugabe a free run to do as he pleases. International pressure got him talking.

Charan Muzaya, London, UK

With recent news coming from the heart of the EU ie. Berlusconi putting himself above the law, I wonder what we in Europe are going to do about that. Lets stop dictatorships within the EU boundaries before going outside. We must think the world is blind, deaf and dumb....and STUPID!

Glynn, Kingston,

Davis, Manchester,
Sanctions worked in Rhodesia. The Rhodesian army found it very hard to buy military eqpmt on the open market and eventually ran out of bullets. Besides, many were running away in the "chicken run" which became the "owl run". Ian Smith's "not in a thousand years" became 4 years.

Charan Muzaya, London, UK

Davis, Manchester,
All my folks I am in touch with already survive on subsistence farming. These sanctions won't hurt them. Sanctions will hurt the top brass who are creaming the country's resources for the benefit of their families and sending their children to expensive schools in the west.

Charan Muzaya, London, UK

Rod Baker (SA)- Name one country that did not bust the Rhodesian and South African sanctions? Sanctions are a blunt instrument that affects the poor more than the elite.

Davis, Manchester,

Gil (Portugal)and Charan Muzaya- Those with concern for the suffering of the ordinary Zims hope for a successful outcome to the negotiations. Zims want peace and stability and not war. The sanctions hurt only the poor. Only a Zim solution by Zims (witfhout outside interference) will stick.

Davis, Manchester,

Were those who are against sanctions now, also against those that were imposed on Rhodesia and South Africa, and which were aimed at ALL - not just the leaders, as the Zim ones are? If not, then why not? Those hit everyone - black, white, coloured, Asian, young, old, children, healthy and sick.

Rod Baker, Cape Town, South Africa

I hope this time opposition this time wont adhere to the policy resembling behaviour of the bug who overturns on its back and wait till scaring event pass.

Alexey L.N., Novosibirsk, Russia

So far Mugabe has managed to keep Zimbabwe a de facto one-party state. He will be aiming to continue the tradition by absorbing the MDC into ZANU(PF). This is the telling moment for Tsvangirai. It would be better to let the talks break down than fall for this.

Charan Muzaya, London, UK

Tsvangirai, I hope you don't give in. Since Mugabe was not able to eliminate you he along with Mbeki will try to either buy you or fool you. Don't accept anything less than a transitional government leading to free elections monitored by International organizations. M & M cannot be trusted, ever!

Gil, Funchal, Portugal

The EU fail to realize that Mugabe is a shrewd leader that knows how to play the political arena Internationally as well as at home. He has successfully divided the UN and continues to play the political game to his advantage in order to remain in power. Further sanctions will remain ineffective.

Nigel Bragge, Edmonton, Canada

Davis, Manchester,
The sanctions are definitely necessary. I just heard from sources close to the negotiators that Mugabe is insisting on completing his 5-year term as president. He will not accept a ceremonial role. He wants Tsvangirai to be a minister in the govt. Tsvangirai is heavily outgunned

Charan Muzaya, London, UK

I believe West is one whom to convict somehow in problems of Zimbabwe since propaganda of democracy without preparing the country to comprehend and absorb it might have caused crisis. The support and assistance - not sanctions - what is needed in such a situation.

Alexey L.N., Novosibirsk, Russia

The sanctions are beginning to bite. I just heard that the Zimbabwe govt has not paid civil servants because they have run out of paper on which to print currency notes. The paper comes from Europe. Also they're not able to renew software licences for the printing process. 1 pound=1.5 trillion Z$

Charan Muzaya, London, UK

Davis, Manchester,
And what are you going to do about it too? If China conquered Britain, it would not only affect me but you too! I am not suggesting that I believe in "prophecies", just noting a correlation between what is happening now with what someone "predicted" 120 years ago!

Charan Muzaya, London, UK

The EU should let Zimbabweans decide their own destiny without interference.The sanctions applied to date have not affected the elite but the ordinary Zimbabwean.The EU should not dictate who rules Zim. Sanctions at this stage in the negotiations are unwise. Give peace a chance.

Davis, Manchester,

Charan Muzaya -If its a prophesy that China will conquer Britian, what are you going to do about it?

Davis, Manchester,

China is going to be THE world problem. An Indian saint called Swami Vivekananda predicted 120 years ago that China would one day conquer Britain. When I was first told more than 20 years ago, I laughed it off. I fear it's looking more plausible by the week.

Charan Muzaya, London, UK

Good! Name the guilty individuals. Keep turning the screws. When the luxury goods stop coming the wives and mistresses will give these crooks plenty of stick. Freedom fighting was never an easy occupation.

Colin, Carmarthen, United Kingdom

Why don't we neither help nor hinder for once and see how it goes with the talks. That, at least is in our power!

Billum, Edmonton,

there have been reports of twice weekly flights from zim to china carrying zanu thugs,artifacts, gold and poached ivory. will these be halted? china continues to support murderous regimes throughout the world with impunity. orwell was a prophet!

william smith, venice , us

Too little too late - where were these guys in 1984 when Uncle Mc Gabe was murderimng tens of thousands on Ndebele (Fifth Brigade) - I'll tell you - kneeling in front of Queenie and getting knighted. Politicians - sometimes there isn't enough vomit.

haralambos, joburg,

When will EU start doubt having utmost legacy at LDCs. If one can successfully pursue some politics its not apparently mean it's the democratically legitimate way to go. The things eventually are just the other way around.

Alexey L.N., Novosibirsk, Russia

Mugabe is not a reformed character. He has merely been forced to the negotiating table. Meanwhile he is looking for escape routes by which he can cling on with legitimacy. He is siphoning money out of the country now as we talk; look at http://www.thezimbabwetimes.com/?p=1202

Charan Muzaya, London, UK

We must be careful with sanctions, and keep them applied to individuals. EU has taken the right action. If companies like Barclays and Anglo American withdraw from Zimbabwe, the Chinese and Russians will fill the vacuum, and that is a worse scenario. They should stay and tick over until democracy.

Charan Muzaya, London, UK

If they actually abide by these rules it might accomplish something. Let's wait till there is another UN meeting and see what really happens...

David Ashton, Bathurst , Australia

what about assets hidden in European banks?

GK, Calgary, Canada

Sanctions will only make Zimbabwe look elsewhere as globalisation has changed business for everyone. SWF are more powerful than IMF & WB. Self protection is more important than being a slave in your own country. Independence more enjoyable than being indebnesst through WB & IMF loans.

Cindy, London,

Its not about the EU here, so as long as the Africans are all seeing the West for what their interests are, that is more important. ITS ABOUT NATURAL RESOURCES which the West are losing out of DRC, which is annoying them more. African resources are now going directly to China.

Thuthukani Mkhize, Harare,

I don’t like these kinds of arrogance of EU. Dictator MUGABE has accepted the talks with his opposition leader, let give this hopeless discussion a chance then take the sanctions after failure of this discussions which are about to start. Of course I don't support him (MUGABE) but wait and see.

Hassan , High Wycombe, United Kingdom

This is a dictatorship; the talks are cosmetic. Mugabwe will give up power only when he is forced to . That force will come from within Zimbabwe, and will delevelop naturally as the economic situation continues to plunge. We just have to wait; meanwhile we give Mugabwe as hard a time as possible.

Peter Hall, Sydney, Australia

Europe may freeze some of their assets but Mugabe & his criminal cronies have been buying properties and transfering foreign exchange for many years to friendly countries like S. Africa, Namibia, Malasia and other Asian countries to offshore centres or through the Joburg + Harare Stock Exchanges.

Gil, Funchal, Portugal

There should be a world wide sanction on Zimbabwe as long as Mugabe is aroung.

m wilson, bidache, france

paul farmer is absolutely right. the authorities need to be active instead of weak-willed wimps.
we have heard too many soundbites and seen no follow-up at all. shame on the governments of europe as a whole, because none of them is innocent. the blood of zimbabweans is on their hands.

grindles, london, england

This will make it impossible for Mugabe to carry on talking to Morgan T as his own people will be wondering why...since their assets will still be frozen. I've never seen the West act so quickly, without giving a chance to see how talks develop Talks were doomed as soon as the West heard about it.

B, Edmonton,

could they have also included air zimbabwe, on the list of those companies . its generating money for zanu pf and mugabe it fly into london every day, why is it not being banned.

peter , wirral, uk

I seem to remember that Mugabe was allowed to come to the EEC twice and a citizens arrest was made The 'authorities' let him go and on one occasion his bodyguards where allowed to beat up the citizen. What is the point the EU doing something now when they don't bother when he is here?

paul farmer, london, uk