Darragh O'Brien (Dublin North, Fianna Fail)

I am very pleased to be given the opportunity to speak on this all-party motion on the democratic process, or lack thereof, in Zimbabwe. This issue was discussed at length in the House approximately six months ago and, if anything, the situation has deteriorated further since then. The Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs has discussed the ongoing terrible situation in what could be a prosperous country, certainly by African standards.

While I do not want to criticise a colleague, I take issue with Deputy Ardagh's question as to whether the MDC would be any different from Zanu-PF. I hold out great hope that Mr. Morgan Tsvangirai and his supporters, who have gone to extraordinary lengths and shown extraordinary courage in opposing Mr. Mugabe and his regime, will have a positive impact on Zimbabwe, should they be permitted to take office.

There is no question that the blame for the destruction of Zimbabwe lies mainly at the door of President Robert Mugabe and the ruling party, Zanu-PF. Mr. Mugabe has torn apart a country that was in the past, post independence from Britain, a very good example of how all citizens could work together for the common good. In African terms the manner in which black and white Zimbabweans were able to work with each other immediately after the fall of Ian Smith's government held out great hope for the future of the country.

Alas, Mugabe and his cohorts have raped and plundered this once relatively prosperous country, a country that had great promise, for their own selfish gains. This was shown very clearly in his land redistribution policies, begun in 2000, which saw viable farms torn asunder and split up by so-called veterans of the fight for independence. Agricultural production in the country has plummeted since this ludicrous policy was initiated — I use the word policy carefully here. The same applies to the so-called economic policy, which appears to be non-existent. Mr. Mugabe has created a country where 85% of the adult population is unemployed and over two thirds of Zimbabweans face food shortages. The situation is extremely serious and on top of that, there is an ongoing AIDS and HIV epidemic. Over 1.8 million people in Zimbabwe live with HIV and AIDS but are not receiving the medical support and treatment they so urgently require.

It saddens me to say that the international community's response to the crisis, which has been ongoing for over ten years, has been very weak and ineffective. If there was one regime in the world that should have been overthrown with international support it was, and is, this regime. I cannot understand how the international community can stand by and watch for over ten years as Mugabe plunders his own country and throws millions of his countrymen into abject poverty, where over 85% of the population is unemployed, two thirds of Zimbabweans do not know where their next meal is coming from and inflation is soaring at over 100,000%. The response of the international community, the UN and the African Union has been nothing short of pathetic and weak in the extreme.

The elections held in March this year were clearly won by the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, MDC. The results of these elections in a supposedly democratic country were overseen by an electoral commission appointed by President Robert Mugabe and filled by members of the Zanu-PF party. Free and fair elections are not possible in such a context. The commission's ruling that a run-off between Mr. Mugabe and Mr. Tsvangirai was required was nothing short of a corrupt and partisan decision.

I take this opportunity to pay tribute to the courage and leadership shown by Mr. Morgan Tsvangirai in persevering with the struggle against Zanu-PF and President Mugabe, a struggle which has been lonely and dangerous. This debate will not improve the situation in Zimbabwe. However, it gives me an opportunity to express my disgust with the regime in Zimbabwe and the inept response by the international community as well as allowing me to express the abhorrence of my constituents in Dublin North for the situation in Zimbabwe. It is simply not acceptable that the world has stood by and watched while the people of Zimbabwe suffer.

Regarding South Africa's role in this crisis, I am extremely critical of President Tabo Mbeki's performance as a supposed honest broker between Zanu-PF and the MDC. He has taken a pro-Mugabe position and even recently refuted the fact that Zimbabwe is in crisis. I note with some trepidation that Mr. Tsvangirai has decided he will contest the run-off election against President Mugabe. This is a brave decision. However, I have grave concerns that the election results will again be fixed and President Mugabe will find a way to cling on to power. The international community must ensure that international observers are in place to monitor the election, if not to actually run it, if needs be.

The people of Zimbabwe deserve better. They voted in massive numbers in the election in March at great personal risk. What support have they got from the UN and the international community? Precious little, I contend. How can we ensure their democratic vote is upheld? We must seriously consider a boots on the ground policy from the UN to ensure the election run-off vote is fully counted and that the decision of the citizens of Zimbabwe is upheld. The UN must take effective action to administer the country and ensure the democratic voice of the people is heard and the regime in Zimbabwe is changed.

I do not hold out much hope unfortunately. I read an article in the Guardian newspaper recently which recounted the type of intimidation and threats faced by citizens in the election in March. The article clearly demonstrates what Mr. Mugabe is about and what lengths he will go to hold onto power. A section of it reads as follows:

The patients at Louisa Guidotti hospital said there were eight men, one carrying a shotgun, another with an AK-47, others with pistols, and they went from bed to bed forcing out anyone who could walk.

Nurses were dragged away from the sick. Motorists driving by the hospital, 87 miles north-east of Harare, were stopped and taken from their cars.

About 70 people were gathered in the grounds. Then the lecture began. "This is your last chance," said one of the armed men. "You messed up when you voted. Next time you vote you must get it right or you will die."

This is a life and death situation. The international community must act now to save lives. South Africa, as the closest neighbour, must become a real independent broker. Ireland and this Parliament have a role to play. We have a good reputation in Africa and we could play a significant role in ensuring an improvement in the lives of the people of Zimbabwe. I agree with the statements made by a number of speakers that a type of Marshall plan needs to be put in place when Mugabe is removed from his current post as president, which it is hoped will be soon. If elections are rigged again, it is my view that the UN must step in and remove this dictator for the good of the people of Zimbabwe and the millions of Zimbabwaen refugees who have been displaced to neighbouring countries.

See this speech in context