Ed Royce: “Mr. Speaker, in closing, what a depressing contrast between Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe and South Africa's Nelson Mandela.…”

“Mr. Speaker, in closing, what a depressing contrast between Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe and South Africa's Nelson Mandela. President Mandela prized democracy. He prized the rule of law. He stepped down from power when people were telling him he was a king. He brought races together. And we contrast that with the situation where President Mugabe threatens his political opponents with death. What we have in Zimbabwe is a man who sends his operatives to terrorize teachers, to terrorize teachers because they are the poll guards basically, they are the individuals who do the monitoring of the elections; to terrorize the doctors, and to terrorize others working for a better future. A recent Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops' Conference Pastoral letter noted, ``Violence, intimidation, and threats are the tools of failed politicians.'' They are the dastardly tools of the men now ruling Zimbabwe. The political opposition in Zimbabwe deserves credit for remaining peaceful in the face of violence. For years now, its members have been beaten, they have been tortured, they have been killed; and they have resisted going on an offensive throughout this. Their discipline will be further tested in the coming months as the Mugabe regime provokes unrest to legitimize canceling the elections. I hope that the political opposition remain steadfastly committed to nonviolence.”