Russ Feingold: “I rise to draw the Senate's attention to events in Zimbabwe, where a continuing political and economic crisis is…”

“I rise to draw the Senate's attention to events in Zimbabwe, where a continuing political and economic crisis is devastating the country and threatening the future of the southern African region. A combination of corruption at the highest levels of government, political desperation leading to ill-conceived economic and agricultural policies implemented in chaotic fashion, and severe political repression have brought the country to its knees. Already devastated by the HIV/AIDS pandemic, Zimbabwe is now gripped by a food crisis--one in large part caused by the government's policies. Nearly 40 percent of Zimbabweans are malnourished. This in a country that used to be a net exporter of food to the region. Members of Zimbabwe's ruling party and their cronies have led their own country to ruin--even starvation--in order to manipulate the population and retain power. We are talking about a government that tortures independent journalists, beats respected civil society leaders who have testified before Congress, murders opposition supporters, and recently even arrested and detained a U.S. diplomat. Last week, President Bush signed an executive order freezing the assets of 77 Zimbabwean individuals responsible for this repression and abuse, and prohibiting Americans from having business dealings with them. This is a step many of us in Congress had been anticipating for some time.”