Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!lll-crg!lll-lcc!styx!twg-ap!amdahl!pyramid!decwrl!bizet.dec.com!mahoney From: mahoney@bizet.dec.com Newsgroups: talk.politics.misc Subject: Re: A Pleasant Precedent Message-ID: <5348@decwrl.DEC.COM> Date: Sun, 14-Sep-86 18:29:01 EDT Article-I.D.: decwrl.5348 Posted: Sun Sep 14 18:29:01 1986 Date-Received: Wed, 17-Sep-86 02:29:30 EDT Sender: daemon@decwrl.DEC.COM Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation Lines: 78 ---------------------Reply to mail dated 12-SEP-1986 13:16--------------------- To: net.politics Subject: RE: A Pleasant Precedent ---------------------Reply to mail dated 12-SEP-1986 13:16--------------------- >2)This is *exactly* the kind of action which makes the US hated > throughout the world. Reagan considered it an insult to point out > that, while the US was celebrating the gift of the Statue of Liberty > from the French people, who had also helped the US gain its freedom > in the American Revolution, that the US was continuing its support > for a racist repressive government in South Africa, which was > conducting war against its neighbors. > Not only are Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Angola, and the other border > countries not supposed to retaliate South African attacks on > their territory, they are not even allowed to *speak about it*!! > What an arrogant, chauvinistic attitude! > I have to say I was more than I little bit upset about the timing of the attack myself. It was during a dinner honoring the US. As far as I am concerned that is not the right way to honor someone. I am not sure if I agree with the cut off of aid but I can surely understand it. >3)According to Jan's attitude the acceptance of any sort of aid > precludes the rights to any opinions or free speech. There is a question though. If the US is so bad why take our money? One other question if Zimbabwe is non-aligned why do we never hear attacks upon the Soviet Union? I have no problems with a country pointing out what is wrong with the US. Constructive criticism is an important part of growth. I have a problem though when only negative is broadcast. If the US is so bad why is it that in the bad times the first country that is looked to for help is the US. Why don't they call upon the Soviet Union? I think calling for a balanced view is justifiable. That is something much of the Third World does not do. They praise or play down the bad things of the Soviet Union. The things that are wrong in the US are harped upon. I think there should be some change. >4)According to NPR, the American cutoff of aid to Zimbabwe (which > incidentally has one of the most market-oriented economies in > Africa and consequently the best agricultural production in Africa) > was universally condemned by the nonaligned nations and may actually, > paradoxically, lead to an *increase* in support for Zimbabwe from > other nonaligned states in terms of economic aid. > This something that I will not believe until it happens. Many of the African Nations that cut off ties with Israel did so, because the Arab Nations said, they would give them any aid they lost by the action. This did not happen that is why many of the nations are now restoring ties with Israel. They hope to get technology from Israel and get more aid from the US. >5)Hypocrisy abounds!! Reagan cuts off aid to Zimbabwe for stating the > opinion that South Africa has no business raiding and bombing its > neighbors, but Pinochet murders the editor of a leading newspaper > and the aid keeps flowing! What aid does Pinochet get? From what I have read Chile receives no aid from the US. This is what has made it so difficult to put pressure on the government. They are now considering using the World Bank against Pinochet as the only power they have. > Such consistency of principle!! > tim sevener whuxn!orb There are many problems with Reagan's policies I will agree. I do not see a problem with consistency though. If a government is pro-US it will get support. If it is not Pro-US then there will be major problems with relations. Brian Mahoney