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Fond Memories Dissipate in Zimbabwe Haze

Troubled country unrecognizable to reporter once stationed there

By Lev Weinstein,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 1, 2008 1:29 PM CDT
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(Newser) – "Is that the bad guy?" asks Chipo, the Zimbabwean-born adopted daughter of journalist Neely Tucker, watching Robert Mugabe on TV. She is a constant reminder of life a decade ago in the African nation, he writes in the Washington Post. "Mostly I miss the way it was then only because it looks good by comparison," Tucker writes.

Zimbabwe in 1997 was surely no paradise, but one could still find joy, Now "every day is a real battle … but I haven't been in jail for two years," as one native reporter describes the nation where Tucker says Mugabe "will kill any number of people … so that he can spend the few years he has left in a deranged version of comfort."

A man reads a copy of the state owned daily newspaper, 'The Herald' a day after President Robert Mugabe was sworn in as president of Zimbabwe in Harare, Monday, June, 30, 2008.
A man reads a copy of the state owned daily newspaper, 'The Herald' a day after President Robert Mugabe was sworn in as president of Zimbabwe in Harare, Monday, June, 30, 2008.   (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)
In a June 27, 2008, file photo, Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the main opposition party in Zimbabwe addresses a press conference at his home in Harare.
In a June 27, 2008, file photo, Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the main opposition party in Zimbabwe addresses a press conference at his home in Harare.   (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)
Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe attends the eleventh ordinary session of the assembly of the African Union in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, Monday, June 30, 2008.
Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe attends the eleventh ordinary session of the assembly of the African Union in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, Monday, June 30, 2008.   (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)
Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe leaves after attending the eleventh ordinary session of the assembly of the African Union heads of State and government in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, June 30, 2008.
Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe leaves after attending the eleventh ordinary session of the assembly of the African Union heads of State and government in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, June 30, 2008.   (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)
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