Why,

whenever an item about Namibia makes it on to the BBC news or other national medium,

does one get ready to cringe? This time, where African governments had been keeping a discreet silence on the China-Tibet issue, our Min of Foreign Affairs comes rushing in with a statement, probably dictated by the press secretary at the Chinese embassy, that Namibia deplored 'separatist' movements in Tibet, claimed that the violence in Tibet had been 'orchestrated' , condemned moves to independence in Taiwan, and supported re-unification into the one-China policy. Maybe Taiwan will decide its own destiny without the recommendations of Namibia.

Now compare with a press release from Ms. Yade, the French human rights minister: Ms Yade had said that Mr Sarkozy would miss the event unless China freed political prisoners and agreed to talk to the Dalai Lama.
The newspaper Le Monde had quoted Ms Yade as saying: "Three conditions are essential for him to attend: an end to violence against the population and the liberation of political prisoners; light shed on the events in Tibet; and the opening of a dialogue with the Dalai Lama."

Yes indeed. (Of course, China would be fully entitled to boycott the London Olympics because of Britain's involvment in Iraq, but that is another story).

Then last month, we had the North Korean deputy president/chairman of something arriving on a state vist and presiding over the independence celebrations with much acclaim.

I mean, is it a central pillar of Namibian foreign policy to ass-lick the world's crappiest countries? And when, after the usual bloodbath, Mr Mugabe is re-confirmed for another term as President of (what is left of) Zimbabwe, guess which country will be the first to rush with recognition and congratulation?