Shane Ross (Independent)

I wish to add a voice to the unanimity that obviously exists in the House on the appalling situation in Zimbabwe, and to welcome the Minister's statement. I question whether there is anything Ireland can do on its own. The Minister indicated in his speech that we will work within the European Union or the United Nations. The latter is a more powerful group to work within but as Senator Cummins' indicated, we have a noble anti-colonial history and our voices may be powerful in supporting the people of Zimbabwe against a dictator.

The extraordinary inability of the civilised world to shake this dictator should be pointed out. As far as can be ascertained, there is not a single ally in existence for this dictator yet he is still holding out. One wonders sometimes whether there really is the will in the African countries to topple this regime. Although lip-service is paid to the fact that this was not a democratic election, it appears there is a possibility that the tyrant may escape again on this occasion by bluffing his way through the conference, entering into talks with the leader of the Opposition and doing nothing. He has a record of doing exactly that. The Minister referred to Mugabe's ability to buy time in situations like this, but the situation in Zimbabwe is absolutely unthinkable. The Minister eloquently spelled out the awful food shortages that exist, the level of inflation and the fact that thousands of people are fleeing over the border.

One wonders who is in charge. I do not know whether the Minister has any insight as to whether one can give credence to the theory that Mugabe is now a puppet of the military, and that it is in charge. Nobody really knows. It is difficult to ascertain whether talks — if they happen — with the leader of the Opposition will be effective. If the military is pulling the strings, whatever talks take place the military will still dictate the pace on what happens in the country. It is apparent that the democratic wishes of the Zimbabwean people could not have been overturned without the existence of a military dictatorship. Perhaps the Minister can indicate who supplies the arms to the Mugabe regime. A shipload of arms was boycotted by some very brave people in another country.

If the Chinese are supplying arms it is important that the message goes out loud and clear to them that we do not tolerate that. That is where the finger should be pointing. This is a very well armed regime. It is not armed by nobody. Something we could do would be to put pressure on those who are arming the regime, which is kept in power by arms. The Government should investigate and act upon it.