It is not appropriate for English to speak of "China putting their own interests ahead of their principles" when it comes to Zimbabwe. Mr Brown supports MDC, since the MDC economic programme was simply written by IMF economists and is just the same old way to plunder a country of all its assets

Harriet Spice, stockholm, sweden

I think Western friends need to take a hard look at yourselves.Threats and sanctions don't work anymore. Lay off and Zims will solve their own problems or it will fizzle out over time. Once their political problem is resolved, they may invite you for a cup of African coffee and talk about trade.OK?

Lim, Johor Bahru, Malaysia

I have to agree whole-heartedly with Robert.
Has the world gone completely mad...?!!! Mugabe is nothing but a tyrant, the worst kind of fiend, engaging with equally fiendish henchmen!! It is an absolute outrage that events of this kind are still continuing into the 21st century. UN get a grip!!!

Irani, Kent, England

I listend to saint bob (geldof) today on the tv having one of his rants about helping africa,why cant africa help itsself,the actions of the AU to this outrage in zimbabwe are a joke no more aid untill they tow the line,and Mbeki should be shunned as he is as much to blame.

william grant, glasgow, scotland

Targeted sanctions are a good start, and they don't hurt the poor. Nor do limitations on arms sales.. But unfortunately this'll probably cause a backlash from African leaders who can't see past their noses. And China will support Zim. Targeted sanctions against China would be good....

David Ashton, Bathurst, Australia

Every race on this planet has been killing each other for 1000s of years. Yes, Rob the western world only took notice when Mugabe started killing "british" farmers. In the 1980s mugabe killed 20 000 blacks and no one took notice. Food prices up... we need their land to produce food ASAP!

Dylan Powell, Leeds,

Oh and to all those on soap boxes, you would do well to find out the way the civilised British are treating Black Zimbabwean asylum seekers on British soil compared to white Zimbabwean Asylum seekers. I am sure a lot of soap boxes will be put away.

Dylan Powell, Leeds,

Anthu Inu, Lilongwe, Malawi:
Your issue of the white farmers is irrelevant. We spend billions each year on propping up african governments with the intent of those governments trying to attain self sufficiency not just for the elite few, but for their populace. Why should this charity continue?

Kevin, Topeka, KS, United States

Sanctions are pointless.
Mugabe will still get his luxuries while the people will be squeezed furthur still.
And no, the people wont rise up if thats the plan.

Phill, The Wirral, England

It's about time that Mbeki woke up to the fact that his mate Mugabe has been useless at running a country. A liberator that has overstayed his welcome.

Louis Blanc, Liverpool, UK

Sanctions and then? Maybe China is thinking outside of the box...

andrea ceccanti, london,

Robert El Cid., Hull., East Yorks.,
Sure, it would be great if someone went in to arrest Bob & co., but who? The AU will definitely not do it, and the US and UK govts don't want to go over the heads of the AU. Bob is currently boasting that neither US nor UK dare invade as he would wipe them out!

Charan Muzaya, London, UK

Sanctions will not hurt Mugabe and his "leadership".The West has no idea of the "African Way". Sanctions will only hurt the man on the street who is already suffering. The UK caused this years ago and now the Zimbabweans reap what the UK sowed. Ian Smith was right, no wonder he declared UDI.

Warren, Pretoria, South Africa

Haha David,yes the world saw your wonderful "principles" when you sent your armies to do what they do best,massacre the native people of foreign lands and steal their resources for your own development and prosperity.This continues today as can be seen in Iraq.Yet you still have the nerve to preach

Brundi, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

@ Anthu - those 'white farmers' you are talking about were born in Zimbabwe as well & should not suffer for their colour any more than black farmers. It is not just the British that are concerned, everybody is concerned that Zimbabwe has lost its way & is no longer a democracy - hence the G8 vote.

Alex , London,

Sanctions are a blunt instrument that makes the rich richer and the poor poorer. What Zimbabweans want is dialogue between all political parties and coming up with a solution that suits them.

Davis, Manchester,

The African Union is the problem. The G8 leaders are reluctant to go over the heads of the AU. If there was no African Union, the statement would've been stronger. I am not sure what the purpose of the AU is; I think we would be better without it, at least in its current form.

Charan Muzaya, London, UK

Wasn't it sanctions against Rhodesia that helped make Zimbabwe the success it is today?

Jim, Memphis, USA

Just another load of waffle in an attempt to delay the inevitable. Time for the UN to have the ring leaders for this outrage arrested and taken before the International Courts of Justice. Some life may be lost in the process but much less than what will occur if they sit on their hands as usual

Robert El Cid., Hull., East Yorks.,

Mbeki is suggesting that sanctions on Zimbabwe could lead to civil war! Who would be fighting who? The MDC has no weapons, so there is no question of the MDC attacking ZANU(PF). Mbeki is trying hard to protect his friend Robert Mugabe. He should be removed from his role as mediator.

Charan Muzaya, London, UK

To: David Wheeler, London

China is always the odd man out. The Chinese Government do not have any principles of democracy. Pol Pot style, old fashioned maoism is being played out in Zimbabwe. This all comes from China along with the weapons. The CCP have been thoroughly caught out this time.

Colin, Carmarthen, United Kingdom

Anthu Inu, Lilongwe, Malawi
Your negative view of the British position is totally unjustified. If the British were that worried about white farmers they would have intervened at the height of the farm invasions in 2000. UK wants a stable and peaceful Zimbabwe to do business with.

Charan Muzaya, London, UK

here here david. What kind of image does this put across for olympics?

steve wood, london, uk

China has extensive business dealings with Zimbabwe, hence their refusal to impose sanctions.

And of course, China wouldn't want to encourage the spread of democracy and free speech, given their own record. They could have intervened in Burma but didn't for the same reasons.

Owen, London, UK

It's strange that there is only an outcry and possible sanctions now, almost 4 months after the first elections in Zimbabwe. Why hasn't the US strong-armed itself into Zimbabwe and assassinated Mugabe and his henchmen? Yet Iraq was invaded because of similar atrocities and WMDs. Must be the oil?

Michael, Brighton, UK

I think the Chinese are just the smart ones here. The British are against Zimbabwe not because they care about anything at but simply because of the issue of white farmers. I wonder where this article is getting the word "sanctions". The G8 statement carefully avoided that phrase.

Anthu Inu, Lilongwe, Malawi

They have been murdering each other for 1000,s of years. Our empire was broken up by America, Europe and these countries who demanded thier independance,let them sort it out themselves. Where were the UN/G8 when they were murdering british farm owners. They dont like thier own medicene do they!

Rob , Halifax, West Yorkshire UK

Not much of a backbone, but the Nero-esque statement from the G8 meeting is a form of progress.

Edward B Ryder, Greenlawn, USA

What deals did Gordon strike here? At what cost?

steve tea, manchester, cheshire

It is interesting that China is now the only odd man out on Zimbabwe. Is it because they are putting their own interests ahead of their principles, or is it that they have the same principles on democracy that Mugabe has?

David Wheeler, LONDON, UK