Mick Hartley

Robert Mugabe, we know, doesn't like British politicians. So who are his political heroes? From the Korean Central News Agency, Tuesday (via):

Talks were held between Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, and Robert G. Mugabe, President of Zimbabwe, at the presidential palace in Harare on May 11.

At the talks Mugabe said that he boundlessly reveres President Kim Il Sung who rendered full support and encouragement to the Zimbabwean people's struggle for national liberation and their building of a new society.

Congratulating the DPRK on its achievements including the successful satellite launch, he said that these are giving confidence and courage to the Zimbabweans.

The Songun politics is the just politics that everyone should follow, he stressed.

At the talks both sides discussed the matter of boosting the long-standing relations of friendship and cooperation between the two counties and exchanged views on matters of mutual concern.

Naturally, lavish entertainment was on offer:

Zimbabwean President Robert G. Mugabe hosted a banquet at the presidential palace Monday in honor of Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, on a visit to his country.

Present there on invitation were Kim Yong Nam, Minister of Foreign Trade Ri Ryong Nam, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Hyong Jun, DPRK Ambassador to Zimbabwe An Hui Jong and other suite members.

Present there were Robert G. Mugabe, Vice-President of Zimbabwe Joyce Teurai Ropa Mujuru, vice-prime ministers, the minister of Foreign Affairs, the minister of Justice, commanders of the army, the police superintendent general and others and diplomatic envoys of different countries there.

Robert G. Mugabe in his speech said that Zimbabwe felt grateful to the government and people of the DPRK for having sent strong support and encouragement to his government and people in their struggle for the country's independence and the building of a new society.

Details of the strong support and encouragement to which Mugabe referred so warmly can be found here:

Robert Mugabe, then Prime Minister, had signed an agreement with North Korean President Kim Il Sung in October 1980 to have the North Korean military train a brigade for the Zimbabwean army. This was soon after Mugabe had announced the need for a militia to "combat malcontents." Mugabe replied by saying dissidents should "watch out," announcing the brigade would be called "Gukurahundi." This brigade was named the Fifth Brigade….

The Fifth Brigade was different from all other Zimbabwean army units in that it was directly subordinated to the Prime Minister office, and not integrated to the normal army command structures. Their codes, uniforms, radios and equipment were not compatible with other army units. Their most distinguishing feature in the field was their red berets.

Most of the dead were shot in public executions, often after being forced to dig their own graves in front of family and fellow villagers. The largest number of dead in a single killing was on 5 March 1983, when 62 young men and women were shot on the banks of the Cewale River, Lupane. Seven survived with gunshot wounds, the other 55 died. Another way 5 Brigade killed large groups of people was to burn them alive in huts. They did this in Tsholotsho and also in Lupane. They would routinely round up dozens, or even hundreds, of civilians and march them at gun point to a central place, like a school or bore-hole. There they would be forced to sing Shona songs praising ZANU, at the same time being beaten with sticks. These gatherings usually ended with public executions. Those killed could be ex-ZIPRAs, ZAPU officials, or anybody chosen at random. 

It's hardly surprising, then, that not everyone shared Mugabe's delight at Kim Yong Nam's visit:

The leader of the anti-Mugabe camp in the MDC has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the DPRK President of the Presidium of Supreme People’s Assembly of the Democratic Republic of North Korea Mr Kim Vong Nam to leave Zimbabwe.

He indicated to Mr Kim that his visit was not welcome since the DPRK was responsible for training the fifth brigade which massacred the people of Matebeleland and Mr Sikhala indicated that his aunt was a victim in that horrendous and hellish crime against humanity.

Moreover Mr Sikhala spelled out that North Korea represents the most satanic outpost of tyranny and urged Mr Kim to go and organise elections in his country where people are languishing from unmitigated poverty and gross human rights abuses.

Mr Sikhala further stated that Mr Kim comes from the same club as Robert Mugabe and must not have the leisure of visiting countries which respect human rights.

Good for Mr Sikhala.

There are also rumours of ulterior motives behind the visit:

The visit to Zimbabwe by the top North Korean official has raised questions in the diplomatic circles. Zimbabwe is believed to have uranium deposits in the north of the country around the Zambezi escarpment.