Seanad debates

Thursday, 10 April 2003

Mr. Higgins: Like other Members of the House, I welcome the fact that the war in Iraq is drawing to a close, whether one agrees with it. We must now keep an eye on future developments, particularly in respect of the roles of the European Union and the United Nations. There are other Saddams who are equally oppressive and insane. I refer, in particular, to Mr. Mugabe, President of the forgotten people in Zimbabwe. I am not advocating any kind of military intervention or invasion from outside, but South Africa has a particular role and influence in this case which it has not exercised. At some stage we or the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs should consider inviting the South African Ambassador to Ireland with a view to discussing what influence that country can bring to bear on dealing with Mugabe and trying to do something for the poor people of Zimbabwe, not simply the white settlers. There is a huge incidence of AIDS, hospitals do not have medicines and people are literally starving. They are reduced to eating the bark off trees.

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