If Mugabe wanted to deflect international attention away from the opposition, away from possibilities of constitutional change and reform within the country, he has succeeded. While there is still a chance of electoral process the international press should listen to those Zimbabwean voices arguing, lucidly and programmatically, for democratic change. We in Australia, as elsewhere, should urge our Government to assist in paving the way for free and fair elections, and to provide funds for election monitors, as well as pressuring the UN to take a firm stand now - not when it is too late. It might seem naive to pin one's faith on such simple democratic possibilities when the situation seems to be spiralling out of control. But the situation will always seem to be spiralling out of control on television, which deals with tragedy and shock and horror as it happens today.
Yesterday is history.
But attending to that history might pay off. Being aware of potential dangers that have not been widely discussed, and future possibilities, might assist the West in formulating a more adequate and vigilant response, and acting on it. ZANU-PF has been in power, unopposed, since independence in 1980. In recent years a vocal opposition has emerged, based upon an alliance of the labour movement, the churches, human rights groups, the student movement, professionals, business, and the increasingly influential women's groups. All the killings so far have taken place in MDC strongholds and all those killed, except the policeman, have been MDC supporters.