Dear Friebds:


The struggle of the Zimbabwe dollar continues.


Jack Shepherd


Zimbabwe money loses three zeros


Zimbabwe's central bank has announced that three zeros will be taken off every
banknote to help consumers deal with inflation of almost 1,200%.


Central bank governor Gideon Gono said Zimbabweans had three weeks to exchange
existing banknotes for a new series being issued from this Tuesday.


Mr Gono said people had experienced enormous inconvenience because of banknotes
with too many zeros.


Mr Gono also announced what amounted to a 60% devaluation of the currency.


The new official exchange rate will be 250 Zimbabwe dollars ...   more »

Dear Friends:

News from Eddie Cross in B ulawayo, Zimbabwe. Dig down here and look at the maize production accounting vs. the maize needs.

Jack Shepherd

--- Forwarded Message from "Peter Soal" ---

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Dear Friends:

This is a significant announcement from WFP. China now becomes a major food donor and this becomes a significant piece of China's foreign policy. The use of food aid as an instrument of a donor's foreign ;policy is well-documented, beginning with US food aid to the new Soviet Union (and Lenin) in 1920 or so.

One might ask if China's interests in arable farmlands outside China itself might play a role here.

Jack Shepherd


--- Forwarded Message from Newsfeed@wfp.org ---

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Friends:

Here is the indestructable Trudy Stevenson, MP in Zimbabwe, back with the start-up of the trial of those accused of attacking her.

Jack Shepherd

--- Forwarded Message from "Trudy Stevenson" ---

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Dear Friends:

Here is Cathy Buckle's weekly email from Zimbabwe. This is interesting for her comments on the "brain drain" of people leaving the country, and the type of life people are now leading in this extraordinary place. Note also her comment that "winter is almost over" although frost still covers the ground, and her description of the colors and weather of July-August in Zimbabwe. Those of you who have been there will find this very evocative.

Jack Shepherd

--- Forwarded Message from Cathy Buckle ---

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Friends:

News from Cathy Buckle in Zimbabwe and disappointment over the Africa Union meeting and Kofi Anan's retreat from taking action on Zimbabwe. The role of the "Big Man" in Africa's politics seems to be continuing.

There is also further news of Trudy Stevenson's attack and injuries. I know all of us wish her a speedy and successful recovery.

Jack Shepherd


--- Forwarded Message from Cathy Buckle ---

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Friends:

Here is Cathy Buckle's latest email from Zimbabwe.

Jack Shepherd

--- Forwarded Message from Cathy Buckle ---

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Friends:

Awful news from inside Zimbabwe. The Mundys -- whom some of you know -- and I will try to keep you informed about Ms. Stevenson's (and the others') recovery.

Jack Shepherd

--- Forwarded Message from "Mundy" ---

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Dear Friends and Students:

Here is Cathy Buckle's weekly column from inside Zimbabwe. This is particularly interesting as an analysis of the role that China is playing in this country -- as elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa -- and its impact on the Zimbabwean economy. Remember that last year there were complaints that the Chinese are running many of the shops in Harare now and that China is being given prime agricultural land in exchange for fuel.

We also know that China has signed trade agreements with 43 SSA states and oil agreements with six African countries.

Jack Shepherd

--- Forwarded ...   more »