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November 17, 2002

On November 12, Zimbabwean border police shot and killed a US citizen who has participating in a humanitarian mission. The man was identified as Richard Gilman, age 58, of Torrington, CT. According to wire service reports, Gilman was visiting his brother, who is a teacher in the town of Mutare. Gilman had brought school supplies and food. The Zimbabwean government claimed Gilman was stopped at a roadblock near the Mozambique border and was uncooperative. The US State Dept. is investigating the incident -as it darn well should. What happened? Heres a possibility: Mugabes government resents its international critics, and its critics now include the US. Harassing US nationals is one way dictators send a message. Of course, this kind of thuggery backfires, but only after tragic loss of life. (Austin Bay)