CNN Breaking News

[Caveat Emptor]

"AP: Armed paramilitary police in riot gear have surrounded a Harare, Zimbabwe, hotel housing foreign journalists."

My guess? Mugabe is expelling foreign journalists so he can seize complete power. He lost the elections but is incapable of stepping down gracefully.

[Boozy]

His opponent didn't get a full 50% of the vote, so according to Zimbabwean law, there was going to be a runoff election.

It does not appear that Mugabe will let that happen.

[AFPheonix]

That old asshole. He already has so many crimes to pay for, too. I pray for extremely unpleasant things to happen to him.

[crazylegs]

According to radio news here police have drawn weaponary from armouries and the war veterans (those who siezed the land from farmers) have been put on standby...

[Caveat Emptor]

CNN: "Zimbabwe government forces today began cracking down on the main opposition party and foreign journalists, raising fears of a political crisis, said witnesses and an opposition spokesman. With election results delayed, the crackdown raised fears that longtime leader Robert Mugabe is trying to come up with a plan to remain in power."

[rahmota]

His opponent didn't get a full 50% of the vote, so according to Zimbabwean law, there was going to be a runoff election.

It does not appear that Mugabe will let that happen

Maybe he is letting it happen. Everyone who doesnt vote for him will be run-off....

bahdumbump.

Wow. Kinda makes ya glad for the two bit low down crooked liars we got here at home. At least they wont try and shoot you for not voting for them, yet.

Actually thinking about it. Will this cause any effect on US policy? Humanitarian aide, protecting free elctions all that spreading democracy stuff or since there is no terrorists there or resources for the US to bother about will this just be left for the UN to deal with? I wonder.

[AFPheonix]

Actually thinking about it. Will this cause any effect on US policy? Humanitarian aide, protecting free elctions all that spreading democracy stuff or since there is no terrorists there or resources for the US to bother about will this just be left for the UN to deal with? I wonder.

Doubtful. I don't think we really did anything of note when the Kenyan elections went south, and Mugabe being a dick in a box is hardly news. We haven't really done much of anything before to my knowledge.

[Caveat Emptor]

We leave Africa to Europe and the U.N., except for the Horn or dealing with al Qaeda.

[Seshat]

Actually thinking about it. Will this cause any effect on US policy? Humanitarian aide, protecting free elctions all that spreading democracy stuff or since there is no terrorists there or resources for the US to bother about will this just be left for the UN to deal with? I wonder.

If it goes down the way it's looking, Australia will almost certainly send support. Possibly troops, possibly specialists, possibly medical/administrative: but something. Almost certainly as part of a UN operation.

[rahmota]

Yeah thats what I figured. We dont exactly go charging into there bringing light, democracy and the american way very often do we?

[AFPheonix]

Not if there's not a shit ton of oil involved or to finish Daddy's war, no.