Of course it’s our fault…

Oh please. Marty Peretz thinks Labour MPs should spend less time talking about Palestine and more time contemplating Zimbabwe:

The Brits bear responsibility.  Zimbabwe was once Rhodesia, a crown colony, and it still a member if the Commonwealth.  At the first elections after independence, London tilted towards Robert Mugabe against Bishop Muzorewa, tilted heavily.  And it is the British-backed winner who is the genocidalist.

The notion – implicit here – that Mugabe is some sort of British creation is not, as best I can recall, one supported by the events. Nor, frankly, can Downing Street fairly be helpd responsible for Zimbabwe’s recent agony, given that until a decade ago the country was, if not flourishing, then far from the cruel basket case it has subsequently become. Honestly, you get the impression form this that Mr Mugabe and Mr Brown are bosom buddies or that the dictator regularly pops round to Buckingham Palace for afternoon tea.