The whites did not get their billions compensation, but the clause protecting their lands from seizure was placed in the constitution to haunt Zimbabwe 20 years on. Yet the very outcome that the West aborted when the guerilla armies surrounded the Rhodesian cities may well come to pass. If Mugabe is removed precipitately in the second step of this destabilization strategy a long period of instability looms for the region. With Mugabe out of the way South Africa with the shadow backing of the United States will seek regional ascendancy and as Lesotho demonstrated, she might unleash a hornet's nest. If Zimbabwean troops are withdrawn, Kabila will be weakened and Angola cannot afford to let that happen.
Next factor is the Zimbabwean army.
The removal of Mugabe at this stage when the regional war is unresolved, instead of enhancing democracy may well destroy it.