The least that is expected of the Afrikan is to meekly stand aside as mere observer to the plunder of his own continent; at most he is expected to facilitate the exploitation and his own oppression, just as the Botswana Civil Society Coalition for Zimbabwe (BOCISCOZ) has diligently been doing of late at the behest of the evil forces, their paymasters. As observed last week, Zimbabwe's military intervention in the DRC during the "Second Congo War" in 1998 prevented the West from installing a puppet regime that would have facilitated the continued looting of this incredibly mineral-rich country. As a result, it was further noted, a decision was taken by the West to get rid of Mugabe and his government as punishment for meddling in the DRC. A regime change would also be an insurance against possible future meddling in other parts of Afrika, besides, Mugabe had set an extremely bad example to other Afrikan leaders of how not to behave and they had to witness the consequences of such wayward behaviour. The greatest support for regime change came from the powerful homosexual section of Western society. Needless to say, homosexuality is an acceptable way of life in white societies where man can marry man and homosexual couples can even legally adopt children. Well, it isn't a secret that in Afrikan societies, homosexuality is a taboo. This is the reason the sodomy is a criminal offence in virtually every Afrikan country save for South Afrika where the apartheid white minority regime ensured that homosexuality was made a constitutionally right before handing state power to the ANC. However, notwithstanding homosexuality being a taboo, Afrikans have exhibited a degree of tolerance and sympathy towards homosexuals largely because they regard homosexuality as an abnormality. It is when homosexuals seek legal rights that there is a backlash. Contrary to popular perception, Mugabe had been tolerant of homosexuals in Zimbabwe until they decided to overstep the bounds. The International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA) even acknowledges that "up until 1994 there was no official public reaction to the formation of Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ) in 1989, with the organisation keeping a low profile. There were a few raids on the founder members' houses and materials were confiscated, never to be returned, but by and large it was a case of live and let live (non-interference)." It was when, in 1995, GALZ applied for a stand at the annual Zimbabwe International Book Fair "to exhibit and advertise its literature on the legal and constitutional aspects of gay rights", that the stuff really hit the fan. Although GALZ was ultimately excluded from the book fair, at the official opening Mugabe nevertheless let fly: "I find it extremely outrageous and repugnant to my human conscience that such immoral and repulsive organisations, like those of homosexuals who offend both against the law of nature and the morals of religious beliefs espoused by our society, should have any advocates in our midst. If we accept homosexuality as a right, as it is being argued by the association of sodomists and sexual perverts, what moral fibre shall our society ever have to deny organised drug addicts, or even those given to bestiality, the rights they might claim under the rubric of individual freedom and human rights, including the freedom of the press to write, publish and publicise literature on (their activities)?" A few days later: "It degrades human dignity. It is unnatural and there is no question ever of allowing these people to behave worse than dogs and pigs." In 1998: "animals in the jungle are better than these people because at least they know that this is a man or a woman." By unflinchingly expressing the sentiments of Afrikans towards homosexuality - something no other Afrikan leader dare do - Mugabe created bitter enemies in the West, where homosexuals are captains of industry, including media, and occupy influential positions in politics. So when the evil forces initiated and executed 'operation regime change' they received active support from this powerful section of Western society that had a score to settle with Mugabe. bugaloc@yahoo.com