Now comes the EU verdict on Zimbabwe in what has been one of the most loaded clashes between a government and foreign observers in recent years. But even a relatively good report such as this leaves open the question of whether observer teams sent by foreign governments are really the right democratic tool. They are outside amateurs with an official agenda. It is far better to have several thousand local monitors, as Zimbabwe did this time, from civic groups who know their own country's culture better than foreigners. Robert Mugabe has a valid point.
Observers appointed by foreign governments, stay away.