Madam, - It would seem Dermot Kavanagh (July 2nd) also has fallen foul of propaganda.
It is true that the UK refused to pay the money to buy out the farmers, but for a reason of which I am sure John O'Shea would approve: Zimbabwe was insisting that the money be paid through its Ministry of Finance rather than direct to the farmers, so there there were good reasons to believe it would be "top-sliced" on its way through.
Recent events would suggest that was not an unreasonable assumption. - Yours, etc,
PATRICK DAVEY,
Dublin Road,
Shankill,
Dublin 18.
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Madam, - Whenever the excesses of bad and corrupt regimes hit the headlines, whether in Zimbabwe or Burma or elsewhere, there often follows a call for international aid agencies to stop working in such countries.
So it is with Kevin Nolan (July 1st), writing about President Mugabe's election, when he calls on Irish charities to reconsider their policies because "they are in effect supporting and sustaining those regimes".
In fact, it is precisely at moments like this, and in countries like these, that our help is needed the most.
To abandon Zimbabwe now, and all the work that we and our partners are doing there for many tens of thousands of desperately poor people, would be to hand another victory to Mugabe and his cronies.
The regime in Zimbabwe clearly cares little about the welfare of Zimbabweans. But there are many non-government organisations in Zimbabwe (and Burma too) that do care deeply about the plight of their fellow-citizens.
These groups need not only our prayers, but also our practical help, co-operation and money to keep functioning and to keep hope alive in the face of appalling oppression. - Yours, etc,
ADRIAN HORSMAN,
Communications and Media Manager,
Christian Aid,
Clanwilliam Terrace,
Dublin 2.
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Madam, - The situation in Zimbabwe, which has been worsening and spreading for a number of years, is now being called a crisis. It is much, much more than that. It is an engineered humanitarian débâcle, which belies and dishonours the nature of Mugabe's education.
Shame on him and his puppets. - Yours, etc,
MICHELE SAVAGE,
Glendale Park,
Terenure,
Dublin 12.