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Wed 3 Mar, 2004 01:16 pm
Quote: Zimbabwe attacks 'subversive' condoms
From AFP
March 04, 2004
ZIMBABWE'S state radio has accused an underground local rights movement of distributing "subversive" condoms in collusion with a US-based manufacturer.
The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) said the popular brand of Protector Condoms, advertised widely in the country, had been "rebranded" by the underground group that calls itself Zvakwana, or "Enough" in the local Shona dialect.
Zvakwana has been operating for the past few years and has earned a reputation for zealous anti-government activism that includes a newsletter and slogans emblazoned on road signs and buildings.
The condoms, which AFP has seen, have had small red and yellow stickers attached to the outer packet featuring a big "Z" under which is written the slogans -- "Get Up Stand Up" and "Revolutionary Condoms".
"The condoms are being distributed in what appears to be collusion between the opposition group and the United States-based condom manufacturer," ZBC charged.
It is not clear how many of the offending condoms are in circulation. But state radio said that they had been received "by a large number of influential people, corporate bodies and civic society".
An official with the US-based non-governmental organisation responsible for distributing the condoms in Zimbabwe and elsewhere in the region told the radio he was "shocked" by the Zvakwana stickers.
He said the action would undermine efforts to fight the HIV and AIDS pandemic in Zimbabwe.
SOURCE
The above might well be a reaction to some earlier news:
Quote:U.S. Imposes Sanctions on Seven Zimbabwe Businesses
Wed Mar 3, 2004
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. government on Tuesday acted to block any U.S. assets of seven businesses owned by two Zimbabwean officials deemed by Washington to be undermining democracy in the southern African nation.
The Treasury Department's action also bars Americans from any transactions or dealings with the seven businesses controlled by Zimbabwe's Information Minister Jonathan Moyo and retired Zimbabwe Defense Forces Gen. Vitalis Zvinavashe.
The U.S. government last year imposed sanctions on 77 Zimbabwean officials, including President Robert Mugabe as well as Moyo and Zvinavashe, accusing them of undermining democracy and using violence to stifle opposition.
Mugabe, 80, won reelection in 2002 amid accusations of vote-rigging by the opposition and rights groups say he has pursued a brutal campaign against his opponents.
Mugabe insists he won fairly and rejects charges that his mismanagement caused a serious economic crisis that has brought Zimbabwe shortages of food, fuel and foreign exchange.
The State Department said the seven businesses include commercial farms seized by Moyo; Zimbabwe Defense Industries, a government-owned arms maker; M&S Syndicate, a holding company owned by the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front; and two firms representing Zvinavashe's interests.
"Should Zimbabwe's rulers continue to oppress its citizens and to resist forthright efforts toward resolving the country's political crisis, we are prepared to impose additional targeted financial and travel sanctions on those undermining democracy in Zimbabwe," the State Department said in a statement.
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