Congresswoman Waters Urges China to Cease All Arms Shipments to Zimbabwe

Today, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-35) sent a letter to President Hu Jintao, the President of the People's Republic of China, urging him to immediately recall the shipment of weapons aboard the An Yue Jiang intended for Zimbabwe and cease all arms shipments to Zimbabwe.  The text of the letter follows:

 I write to urge you to immediately recall the shipment of weapons aboard the An Yue Jiang intended for Zimbabwe and cease all arms shipments to Zimbabwe.

 Zimbabwe is in a state of crisis.  The government of Zimbabwe has refused to release the results of the country's March 29 elections for more than three weeks.  The opposition Movement for Democratic Change claims to have won the elections and is accusing the government of trying to steal the elections.  The Movement for Democratic Change has alleged that pro-government militias have killed ten of its members and injured hundreds since the elections, a claim the government denies. 

 Human rights violations in Zimbabwe have escalated since the elections.  Human Rights Watch reported that members of Zimbabwe's armed forces have established torture camps targeting members of the opposition and civilians who did not support the government in the elections.  Catholic, Anglican, and Evangelical church leaders reported that organized violence, including abductions and torture, has been unleashed against individuals, families, and communities accused of voting for the opposition.  They warned that the violence has the potential to become a full-scale genocide.  Given the volatile nature of the situation, any arms provided to government forces or any other parties in Zimbabwe could exacerbate the crisis.

 The An Yue Jiang is reportedly carrying 77 tons of lethal weapons, including 3 million rounds of AK-47 ammunition, 1,500 rocket-propelled grenades, and more than 3,000 mortar rounds and mortar tubes.  The cargo is valued at $1.245 million.  An arms shipment this large could easily cause the deaths of thousands of innocent civilians.

 Members of Congress already are deeply concerned about the military supplies your government exports to the genocidal government of Sudan, including at least $24 million in arms and ammunition, nearly $57 million in parts and aircraft equipment, and $2 million in helicopter and airplane parts.  China's attempt to deliver arms to Zimbabwe amplifies our concern that China's polices are contributing to instability, chaos, and loss of life in these African countries.

I, therefore, urge you to immediately recall the An Yue Jiang to China and cease all arms shipments to Zimbabwe.  It is not in your country's interests to be held responsible for any possible escalation of violence that could result from such shipments.

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