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A former Zimbabwean High Court judge says a United Nations armed force is the only option left to bring down Robert Mugabe and restore democratic rights in the troubled nation.
Benjamin Paradza came to New Zealand as a refugee in 2006 after his judgments against the Zimbabwean Government made him marked for death. He now lives in Wellington.
He says there is only one choice left for Zimbabwe.
"The only option available is the intervention from the international community - or else the Zimbabwean people will be forced to start a civil war, which many people don't want."
His call comes as international condemnation of Mr Mugabe's regime mounts following opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai's decision to pull out of a second presidential election because of violence against his Movement for Democratic Change supporters. Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade reportedly said Mr Tsvangirai was fleeing soldiers when he took refuge at the Dutch Embassy in Harare.
In New Zealand, politicians from all parties agreed to a motion condemning the actions of Mr Mugabe's regime and calling on him to stand down "for the good of his country".
Although New Zealand is talking with other countries about further sanctions, Prime Minister Helen Clark said Zimbabwe's neighbouring countries - especially South Africa - were best placed to put pressure on Mr Mugabe.
Yesterday she said she had tried to arrange a phone call to South African President Thabo Mbeki but had received no response.
She said Mr Mbeki must take a stronger stance on Zimbabwe after the failure of years of mediation attempts.
Helen Clark said the Zambian President had also told media Mr Mbeki was not returning his calls, despite many other states in the Southern African Development Community speaking out about Mr Mugabe.
"So I think South Africa is rather isolated on this now."
Mukoni Ratshitanga, spokesman for Mr Mbeki, refused to confirm last night if the President had received any calls from Helen Clark.
"We don't discuss matters involving communication with other head of states with the media or public."
Mr Ratshitanga also said South Africa's stand on Zimbabwe "remained unchanged", and that Mr Mbeki will continue to play a "mediating role" in trying to persuade Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai to meet to discuss the crisis.
Helen Clark welcomed a Security Council condemnation of violence against the Zimbabwe opposition party, and the actions of the Government.
United Future leader Peter Dunne said the international community was responsible for ignoring the "warning signs" about where Zimbabwe was going. He said international groups needed to work on a co-ordinated response to prevent states slipping in the way Zimbabwe had. Green MP Keith Locke called for a multinational peacekeeping force to be sent.
Maori co-leader Pita Sharples said international pressure should be brought to bear to end Mugabe's reign, but it must be left to the Zimbabweans to decide how to rebuild their country.
