The ZIMBABWE Situation Our thoughts and prayers are with Zimbabwe
- may peace, truth and justice prevail.
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Remarks By Representative Ed Royce on Release of Africa Policy Advisory
Report - 'Rising U.S. Stakes in Africa'

U.S. House of Representatives (Washington, DC)

DOCUMENT
July 8, 2004
Posted to the web July 8, 2004

Washington, DC

As Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Africa, US. Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA-
40) spoke at today's release of the Africa Policy Advisory Panel's report,
entitled "Rising U.S. Stakes in Africa." Royce was a member of the panel,
which was authorized by Congress in 2003 to develop policy initiatives based
on U.S. national interests in Africa. The following is Royce's comments at
today's report release:

"Needless to say, Secretary Powell deserves recognition for his commitment
to the continent over the last three and a half years. In 1999, I had the
privilege of traveling with then-General Powell to Nigeria, where we were
co-heads of the International Republican Institute's election monitoring
delegation. Secretary Powell played a big role in making that historic
transition election work. Seeing him on the ground, I knew that his tenure
at the State Department would be defined by a strong commitment to Africa,
as it has. Of course, he was well assisted by Walter Kansteiner.

"I also want to thank my colleague Frank Wolf, who inspired this project. I
consider Frank a de facto member of the Africa Subcommittee that I chair.
Frank frequently participates in our hearings, which I enthusiastically
welcome. Frank's commitment to Sudan and Sierra Leone and Liberia and all of
Africa is exceptional. I would also like to thank Steve Morrison for leading
this CSIS effort. Steve has appeared before our Subcommittee several times,
which I appreciate.

"The Administration deserves much credit for achieving a north-south peace
accord in Sudan. It has played a very good hand with the cards it was dealt.
But, we have a genocide in Darfur.

"The Sudan chapter of this report - 'An Action Strategy for a Post-Conflict
Sudan' - lays out a comprehensive plan for the six-year period leading to
elections. It also recognizes that stabilizing Sudan will be a 'daunting
task' and that Darfur could bring down the entire peace effort. I am afraid
that is the course we are on. Peace is s not divisible in Sudan. It is
cliche, but Khartoum is showing its true colors. Today Khartoum is hearing
loud and clear that there will be no U.S. aid, or improved relations in any
way, as long as the killing continues in Darfur. Maybe that matters to
Khartoum; to be honest, maybe it does not, which is a possibility we need to
prepare for.

"Darfur also has exposed discouraging African attitudes. Why is it that
African governments in general are far less concerned about the killing in
Darfur then we are? Why are they so hesitant to criticize Khartoum? Or
likewise, why does Robert Mugabe - who has brutalized Zimbabwe - receive a
standing ovation when he attends an AU meeting? These bracing realities
remind us to challenge constantly our Africa policy assumptions. We have
made many mistakes by dealing with the Africa in our minds, not the reality
on the ground.

"Today we are hearing discussions of the various chapters of 'Rising U.S.
Stakes in Africa.' The title is a good one. I believe that the days of
Africa being the lowest rung on the U.S. foreign policy ladder are ending.
For years, as most everyone here knows, Africa has been at the back of the
book. Despite beginning with 'A,' Africa has been treated as a 'Z' when it
comes to foreign policy. That is changing, because Africa is a continent
that:

- Is the epicenter of the HIVIAIDS pandemic;
- Is home to more Muslims than the Middle East;
- Is a place where our fight against terrorism is being fought - the focus
of one of this report's chapters;
- Is increasingly influential in international political and economic
organizations - an expanded U.N.
- Security Council most certainly would include an African country;
- Is producing more oil; and
- Is home to magnificent and increasingly threatened natural resources.

"Africa also is the continent where some of the most innovative policies are
being undertaken, including:

- The international courts for Rwanda and Sierra Leone, where Charles Taylor
must be delivered. I believe that President Obasanjo is coming to realize
that to deal honorably with dishonorable men is to court disaster.
- The Chad-Cameroon pipeline, which is recognized in this report's chapter
on energy policy toward Africa. This effort is so important because, as I
noted at a CSIS panel on African oil earlier this year: oil extraction has
rarely, if ever, led to sustainable economic development in Africa. I do not
think we can underestimate how great a challenge making oil work for the
African people will be.
- The Congo Basin Forest Partnership - I am just back from the Democratic
Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo, two countries in which the
Partnership is in full swing. This initiative of Secretary Powell's is an
innovative approach to help give Africans an incentive to save their flora
and fauna from destruction. Eco-tourism in the Congo Basin, and in the more
traditional tourist destinations in eastern and southern Africa, has great
potential for up-lifting Africans, and conserving for posterity the
resources all of mankind has an interest in. My observations and others are
contained in this report's chapter on natural resource conservation. I
should mention that we now have a congressional caucus on international
conservation in the House focused on these issues, including the destruction
of the Virunga National Park. Rwanda must stop its deforestation of one of
the two remaining mountain gorilla habitats.

"This report contains an important chapter on improving capital flows to
Africa. I will conclude by a note on trade. AGOA has proven to be a
tremendous development program, the best I have seen in Africa. A few days
ago, I had the opportunity to participate in a ceremony opening an apparel
facility in Dar es Salaam. This plant is now filling orders for Wal-Mart,
under AGOA. The general manager of Star Apparel said that these 1,000 jobs
would not have been possible without AGOA III. That is done - a real
bipartisan achievement - but looking ahead, we as a country must be bolder
on trade liberalization with Africa, especially with agricultural products.
This will be tough. But, many parts of Africa are in crisis. Our interests
on the continent are growing, as we are hearing today. There is no room for
business as usual."
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IMF
 
Press Release No. 04/139
July 8, 2004
International Monetary Fund
700 19th Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20431 USA

IMF Considers the Complaint Regarding Zimbabwe's Compulsory Withdrawal from the IMF

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reviewed Zimbabwe's overdue financial obligations to the Fund and considered the Managing Director's complaint regarding Zimbabwe's compulsory withdrawal from the IMF (see Press Release No. 03/210). Recognizing the severity of the decision at hand as well as the resumption of some payments from Zimbabwe and limited improvements in economic policy, the Executive Board decided to postpone a recommendation for compulsory withdrawal, providing Zimbabwe with another chance to strengthen its cooperation with the Fund in terms of economic policies and payments. The Executive Board will consider again the Managing Director's complaint regarding Zimbabwe's compulsory withdrawal from the Fund within six months and decide at that time whether to recommend to the Board of Governors of the IMF that Zimbabwe be asked to withdraw from the IMF.

The Board's decision does not impose further sanctions on Zimbabwe, but rather provides the country with an opportunity to significantly strengthen its cooperation with the IMF, with the aim of addressing its economic decline and resolving its overdue financial obligations, prior to the Executive Board's next consideration of the Managing Director's complaint.

Executive Directors expressed grave concern over the continued and sharp decline in economic and social conditions. GDP fell by 30 percent over the last five years and another 4-5 percent decline is expected this year. Year-on-year inflation reached 600 percent at end-2003, but decreased to around 450 percent in the year through May 2004, following a tightening of monetary policy and an appreciation of the average exchange rate since late 2003. Unemployment is very high and increasing, social indicators, which were once among the best in Africa, have worsened, and the widespread HIV/AIDS pandemic remains largely unchecked. Severe food shortages have necessitated massive food imports and donor assistance. Directors attributed these developments mainly to inappropriate macroeconomic policies and structural changes that weakened its economic base. In particular, the disorderly implementation of the land reform program has contributed to a sharp reduction in agricultural production. Concerns about governance and human rights, and the continued lack of clarity about property rights have severely damaged confidence, discouraged investment, and promoted capital flight and emigration.

Directors called on Zimbabwe to take decisive actions to improve cooperation with the IMF. In this connection, they strongly urged the authorities (i) to adopt a comprehensive policy package aimed at halting the deterioration of the socio-economic situation, restoring confidence and donor support, and restarting growth on a sustainable basis; and (ii) to increase payments. Directors noted the resumption of payments by Zimbabwe (totaling US$9 million to date in 2004), but regretted that these payments were insufficient to stabilize the country's arrears to the IMF.

Zimbabwe has been in continuous arrears to the IMF since February 2001. As of end-June 2004, Zimbabwe's arrears to the Fund amounted to almost SDR 200 million (US$295 million), or about 56 percent of its quota in the IMF. Compulsory withdrawal is the last step in a series of escalating measures that the IMF applies to members that fail to meet their obligations under the Articles of Agreement.

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VOA

African Union Defers Zimbabwe Human Rights Discussion
Cathy Majtenyi
Addis Ababa
08 Jul 2004, 17:42 UTC

Leaders at the African Union summit, which concluded in Addis Ababa
Thursday, discontinued the discussion of an internal report blasting
Zimbabwe's government of President Robert Mugabe for human rights
violations. One official says the African Union (AU) had more important
topics on its agenda.
AU spokesman Desmond Orjiako told VOA there were many items under discussion
by heads of the African Union member-states, but Zimbabwe did not rank high
among them.

"We're looking at issues like Darfur, where hundreds and thousands of people
have been displaced as more immediate than the issue of Zimbabwe," he said.

The summary of the confidential report, which was written by the AU's
Commission on Human and People's Rights in 2002, was circulated at the AU
summit, but never discussed.

The AU rights commission said in the summary it found enough evidence to
conclude that "at the very least, human rights violations occurred in
Zimbabwe." The commission concluded President Mugabe's government cannot
wash its hands of responsibility for the violations.

But, after a heated debate among foreign ministers, the publication of the
summary was delayed and a discussion on Zimbabwe's human rights has been
postponed for at least a year.

The dispute comes in the wake of U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan's appeal
to African governments at the summit to respect human rights and encourage
free and independent press. The AU itself has staked out fostering good
governance as one of its principal goals.

An official of South Africa's foreign affairs ministry, Kingsley Manabolo,
said discussion of Zimbabwe's human rights record has been postponed
indefinitely.

"The issue of Zimbabwe has been referred back because the process has not
[been] completed," he said. "There's been no discussion on the report, it's
gone back for further consultation. So it's not finalized."

The AU's Mr. Orjiako says the AU sees the situation in Zimbabwe, in his
words, as a political crisis that requires full negotiations at the highest
level.

AU officials said the report has been sent to Harare for response, and, if
Zimbabwe responds, will be presented at the next AU summit in a year's time.
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Building Material Costs Shoot Up 5,595%

Financial Gazette (Harare)

July 8, 2004
Posted to the web July 8, 2004

Allen Chifokoyo
Harare

CONSTRUCTION companies have been forced to scale down their operations as it
emerged that the cost of building materials has increased by an astronomical
6 595 percent in the past year.

Statistics indicate that the average construction costs for a house, which
averaged $59 000 per square metre at the beginning of 2003, had soared to
$3.95 million per square metre this year.

Cohen Chipunza, a property consultant with a leading local real estate
company, said over the past six months the average construction costs of a
basic house has reached unreasonable levels despite the slowdown in the rate
of inflation.

"The average construction price of a basic house was pegged at $59 000 per
square metre at the beginning of the year, but in December it was pegged at
4 750 000 per square metre," Chipunza said.

"In June 2004 it is being prognosticated that on average it now costs around
$3.95 million per square metre to construct a house. Although inflation is
slowing down, the prices of building materials are still going up."

He added: "At present, it is now cheaper to buy a house than to build one.
This is reflected in the replacement cost valuation of properties, which is
sometimes as high as thrice the open market selling value of the property."

Residential house prices have increased by an average rate of between 1 000
and 1 500 percent, while the cost of stands has risen between 2 000 and 2
800 percent within a year.

However, a study by Knight Frank shows that the prices of residential
properties have been falling in terms of the US dollar, with local
properties being the lowest priced in the Southern African region.

The year-on-year rate of inflation has slowed down since the beginning of
the year, when it reached an all-time high of 623 percent, to 448 percent in
May. But the cost of building materials has kept its upward momentum.

The high cost of building materials has resulted in a lull in the
construction industry and, consequentially, there has been an acute shortage
of both commercial and housing space.

Rentals have also skyrocketed as demand for space outstrips supply.

Housing problems continue to haunt the country as less people, mainly in the
low income bracket, can hardly afford building houses due to prohibitive
borrowing costs.

A number of building societies recently hiked their mortgage rates against
the backdrop of high cost of funds on the inter-bank market. Mortgage rates
are now between 120 and 200 percent.
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Pressure Mounts On Zim Dollar

Financial Gazette (Harare)

July 8, 2004
Posted to the web July 8, 2004

Harare

Increasing demand for foreign currency to meet the country's ballooning
import bill has raised the spectre of a further depreciation of the
defenceless Zimbabwe dollar.

Analysts said this week demand for foreign currency was rising against a
backdrop of dwindling reserves, piling pressure on the local unit to
depreciate further.

Research by Interfin Securities, a local financial institution, indicates
that at current levels of $5 300 to the greenback, the Zimbabwe dollar is
trading at a 25 percent discount to the market-determined exchange rate.

Interfin, which forecasts an increase in month-on-month inflation from six
percent in May to 10 percent in June, projects a rate of about Z$10 500 to
the United States dollar by December despite an expected year-end annualised
inflation rate of 202 percent.

Estimates indicate that the country requires about US$200 million every
month to meet its import requirements, but the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe
(RBZ) is only managing to allocate about US$100 million through bi-weekly
controlled auctions introduced in January.

Hard currency allocated through the auction system is complemented by about
US$15 million per month from the 25 percent foreign currency remitted
directly to the RBZ by exporters from their earnings.

The past three auctions have seen foreign currency demand increasing from
US$25.4 million to US$25.7 million and to US$30.1 million during last
Thursday's auction.

The RBZ's allocations were recently increased from US$8 million to US$9.5
million.

An analyst noted that allocations were running at 40 percent of money bid
for.

The RBZ recently announced that most of the money allotted so far was being
channelled towards raw materials, fuel imports and equipment and machinery.

Of the US$283 million allotted so far, raw materials have taken up 36
percent, fuel and petroleum products 17.8 percent and equipment and
machinery 10.8 percent.

Economic commentator Eric Bloch, who sits on the RBZ's foreign currency
auction advisory board, said rising import costs had compounded the
situation. The firmer South African rand was also leading to increased
import expenses such as freight and transport costs.

Foreign currency inflows have dwindled in the second quarter of 2004 and
analysts predict the Zimbabwe dollar will fall because of the demand and
supply imbalance.

Widening inflation differentials with major trading partners and adverse
investor sentiment, which has deprived the country of offshore lines of
credit, are also seen contributing to the fall of the local dollar, analysts
say.

According to Bloch, Zimbabwe realised foreign currency inflows amounting to
US$900 million in the first quarter of 2004, a figure he estimated would
decline drastically in the second quarter.

"The decline is mostly to do with the fact that a lot of exporters could not
afford to export due to a variety of reasons, ranging from shortage of
foreign currency and reduced production capacity," Bloch said.

"The RBZ should peg the rate at around Z$6 500 to ensure viability and
steady inflows of foreign currency," ha added.

Danny Meyer, another local economic commentator, urged the central bank to
consider increasing the money allotted under the auction system.

"This is not the way to turn around the economy. Money allocated is not
enough for companies to be able to procure inputs. Of the US$9.5 million
released at every auction, a third goes to fuel importation and this leaves
very little for procuring inputs," Meyer said.

In a bid to increase foreign currency supplies through improved exporter
viability and by harnessing funds from Zimbabwean nationals living abroad,
the RBZ adjusted the exchange rate to Z$5 200 against the United States
dollar in April.

This forced the local unit to depreciate against most key currencies.
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IPS

Calling Those With Deep Pockets, and Vast Patience

Wilson Johwa

BULAWAYO, Jul 8 (IPS) - Political office has never been for the
faint-of-heart. Getting into office is often a dirty business, and staying
there a trying one. There's no denying, however, that legislators from
developing countries - in the case of this article, Zimbabwe - face a
particularly challenging set of circumstances.

The only woman councilor in Zimbabwe's second-largest city of Bulawayo,
Stars Mathe, is well acquainted with the pressures of political life. On the
evening that IPS interviews her, she arrives home at a modest house in the
working class area of Cowdray Park, only to have two women visit shortly
afterwards.

While they appear to be older than Mathe, they call the councilor "mother".
One bluntly tells Mathe that she doesn't have anything to cook for her
family, and would like Mathe to provide her with assistance.

Without losing her poise, and clearly accustomed to such requests, Mathe
politely turns them away. The moment she does so, however, she discovers a
note, pushed under her door, requesting her presence at a nearby funeral.

"When they tell you this, they usually expect financial assistance," she
remarks wearily, while preparing to go.

Legislators from industrialized countries may well claim to have a "hands
 on" approach to dealing with those in their constituencies.

In the poorer areas of Zimbabwe however, especially rural settlements, a
good representative is required to be nothing less than a dependable
parent-figure: someone who is readily available to help individuals solve
private matters, and dig into their personal resources to do so.

At the moment, there is no shortage of needs in the country. Farm
occupations to redistribute land from minority whites, political violence,
periodic fuel shortages and triple-digit inflation have combined to
undermine Zimbabwe's economy, impoverishing a substantial part of the
population.

However, certain observers are sparing in their admiration of officials who
take on the role of "provider-of-last-resort". Instead, they criticise them
for creating or perpetuating a "donor-recipient" relationship with their
constituents.

"It is because when they campaign, they use money," says journalist and
feminist Miriam Madziwa.

Sheba Dube, who runs the League of Women Voters, observes "It's a disease of
the politicians." This body is a pressure group modeled along the same lines
as its American parent organisation.

Dube says many Zimbabwean voters hardly know what to demand from, or expect
of, a political leader. If they did, she adds, they would not support a
leader on one day - then vote them out the next, with scant regard for
performance.

Still, it seems the situation is sometimes more complex than these
explanations suggest - and that Zimbabwe's democratic institutions are
maturing.

If money is all that is required to secure political victory, then
Sikhanyiso Ndlovu would not have lost his parliamentary seat in 2000, when
the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) stormed onto the
political scene. During the preceding five years, this well-heeled
entrepreneur had no qualms about spending money in his constituency, also a
working class area.

He established a scheme through which residents could buy reconditioned "
kombis" (mini-vans) imported from Japan. These vehicles were used to set
their owners up in taxi businesses.

Ndlovu also organised an annual fair where women's groups he supported could
display the products of their home industries. Towards the end of his term,
the politician - a senior member of the ruling party - even arranged for a "
constituency ambulance".

Ndlovu says he's willing to stand in the next parliamentary election,
scheduled for Mar. 2005, but will only put his name on the ticket if people
ask him to. "They shouldn't expect me to keep pumping my own monies," he
adds, "It's not fair to want me personally and not want the (ruling) party."

Janah Ncube, who heads the lobby group, Women in Politics Zimbabwe (WIPZ),
describes the expectation of financial help from leaders as a "developing
world problem", engendered by poverty.

"I'm not a political leader, but as a public face I still meet people who
expect me to help them in one way or another," she notes.

Voter demands also result from a "distorted image of what a parliamentarian
is," she adds. Constituents might be uncertain about what a candidate stands
for - although they do have high expectations in other respects.

"We actually expect them to eat and look better than us, regardless of how
poor we ourselves are," Ncube observes.

Due to their general disempowerment, women are much more disadvantaged than
men in what Ncube calls "this whole psyche that's bought by money".

It is perhaps not surprising then that women - with fewer resources - have
also failed to make great inroads into Zimbabwe's parliament.

Of the 150 legislators, only 16 (or 10, 6 percent) are women, a decline of
three percent from figures registered for the previous parliament. The
Southern African Development Community, of which Zimbabwe is part, has set a
target of having 30 percent of legislative seats in all member states
occupied by women, by 2005.

Ncube says WIPZ intends to provide women candidates for the 2005 poll with
advice on "image-building", as well as assistance of a material nature.

But, she claims the largest obstacle to women's participation in politics
remains a lack of political will in the two main parties (the ruling ZANU-PF
and the MDC) to have equal representation in their ranks.

Just as important, says Dube, is voter education to make Zimbabweans aware
of what they should expect from their representatives. Unfortunately, this
type of education has only been carried out shortly before the country's
previous elections - rather than on an ongoing basis, as it should be.

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that conduct voter awareness
initiatives have also received a hostile reception from the ruling party,
which equates such education with campaigning for the opposition.

Only last month, the director of a Danish NGO (MS-Zimbabwe) was ordered to
leave the country. Although a Danish citizen, Paul Eklof had lived in
Zimbabwe for two decades while overseeing the organisation's programmes,
staff and training.

Another employee of MS-Zimbabwe, who requested anonymity, told IPS that the
deportation order included accusations that the Danish group had spread "
political messages" via its voter education programmes in rural areas,
particularly those in Matebeleland and near Binga.

The independent Zimbabwe Electoral Support Network has pressed ahead with
its voter education campaigns, although a network official - who also asked
not to be named - said the work was frequently (and illegally) disrupted by
the police or local politicians.

"There are some people with certain powers, in certain areas," she added.
(END/2004)
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12 African Countries Unite to Save Elephants
      US Newswire
      July 08,2004

      PARIS, Jul 8, 2004 (U.S. Newswire via COMTEX) -- Representatives from
12 African Francophone countries called for a full ban on the ivory trade.
They met in Paris on June 28 and 29 to discuss elephant conservation at a
symposium organized by IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare -
http://ifaw.org ) and SNPN (National Society for the Protection of Nature).

      The meeting included representatives from Congo, Benin, the Democratic
Republic of Congo, Chad, the Central African Republic, Gabon, Niger, Mali,
Togo, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Guinea, who agreed on a resolution to protect
elephants. Highlights of their recommendations include the uplisting of all
elephant populations to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species, (CITES) Appendix I and collaboration among elephant range states.

      Previously, CITES downlisted elephant populations in Namibia,
Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa and allowed limited ivory sales. After
this decision, ivory poaching and illegal sales increased. Current species
listings will be decided at the next CITES meeting in Bangkok, Thailand in
October 2004. If all elephant species are uplisted to Appendix I, as
recommended, international trade in elephant ivory will be banned.

      Elephants are threatened by ivory poaching and habitat loss. IFAW is
committed to working with African and Asian governments on all aspects of
elephant conservation including habitat preservation, elephant relocations,
anti-poaching training and law enforcement efforts.

      About IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare)

      Founded in 1969, IFAW is an international animal welfare and
conservation organization that works to protect wild and domestic animals
and to broker solutions that benefit both animals and people. With offices
in 15 countries around the world, IFAW works to protect whales, elephants,
great apes, big cats, dogs and cats, seals and other animals. To learn how
to help IFAW protect animals, please visit http://www.ifaw.org

      http://www.usnewswire.com

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Business Day

Zimbabwe rebels in crisis talks

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HARARE - Lawyers representing the Zimbabwe Cricket Union and 15 striking
white players were in exploratory talks to see if there is any way to break
the three month impasse caused by the sacking of captain Heath Streak.
Alwyn Pichanick, for the union, and Chris Venturas, for the players, are
acting on an International Cricket Council instruction to make another
attempt at finding resolution to the stand-off.

The ICC gave them 14 days from June 30 to find a solution - a near
impossible task, considering that there has been a hostile stalement through
almost 100 days.

Eight of those 14 days were allowed to elapse before discussions between the
legal representatives began and on Friday Venturas and seven players still
living in Zimbabwe leave for England, where they will join seven others for
a three weeks long charity cricket tour.

The ICC is anxious that the dispute is settled domestically, but it has made
clear to the ZCU that it has the right to intervene through its Disputes
Resolution Sub-committee if there is another failure.

However, this is also a cause of disagreement between the ICC and the ZCU.

The ICC claims any decision which might have to be made ultimately by such a
sub-committee will have legal standing and be binding.

The ZCU, through its chairman Peter Chingoka, disputes this view.

However, the ZCU has told AFP that it is working on what it calls an
"alternative mechanism" if the current talks fail. Officials failed to
elaborate but it appears to be some form of proposal for a compromise.

The ICC has also not said if they had received any "alternative mechanism"
from Harare or just what it is.

Zimbabwe cricket was ripped apart on April 2 when Streak complained to ZCU
directors through general manager Vincent Hogg about the make-up of the
selection panel and some of their choices, which he claimed put race above
merit in some instances.

The directors immediately took exception and they accepted what they saw as
Streak's threatened retirement from all forms of cricket, which Streak
vehemently denies making.

All the contracted white players demanded his reinstatement. They saw his
departure as a sacking. When this was refused they all went on strike,
refusing to practice or make themselves available for selection.

Since then, a very young and inexperienced second string was called up to
represent Zimbabwe in international matches and were badly beaten by Sri
Lanka and Australia. This resulted in Australia declining to play them in
Tests, a policy adopted by Pakistan, and by England, who are due here in
November for a one-day series.

Following talks in Dubai last month between the ICC, the ZCU and cricket
board representatives of India, South Africa and Australia, it was agreed
that the "new" Zimbabwe would be given intensive coaching and that India and
South Africa "A" teams would tour Zimbabwe later this month and in August.

The next Test series for the Zimbabweans will be against Bangladesh in
January. This will be a "test" indeed, for Zimbabwe's future as a full Test
playing member of the ICC will come under review after that series.

Read quits England's Cricket Board

LONDON - Another senior administrator at the England and Wales Cricket Board
(ECB) has decided to quit, with Director of Communications John Read
announcing his intention to resign.

"Ive enjoyed enormously working for the ECB and being part of the executive
team that has helped to drive the game forward," Read said.

"I was also delighted with the huge success of the new Twenty20 Cup and the
media campaign that helped attract over 250,000 spectators into county
grounds to watch the inaugural competition."

Chief Executive Tim Lamb will step down in September, in a move widely
linked to his handling of the crisis over whether England should play
matches in Zimbabwe.

AFP

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Zim-Iran Cultural Ties Need Further Strengthening: Official

The Herald (Harare)

July 8, 2004
Posted to the web July 8, 2004

Harare

THERE is need to further strengthen the strong cultural ties between
Zimbabwe and Iran that date back to pre-historic times, a senior Iranian
embassy official said yesterday.

Dr Amir Ahmadi, head of the cultural section, hailed the mutual cultural
relations between the two countries.

"The cultural ties between Zimbabwe and Iran date back to the 13th century
when there was trade in gold and ivory," he said.

The embassy, Dr Ahmadi said, would soon approach the National Arts Council
of Zimbabwe with a view to discuss exchange programmes for artists from the
two countries.

He said Iran was keen to have some of the rich sculpture from Zimbabwe
showcased in that country.

Dr Ahmadi has written a book about Zimbabwe's culture titled "Zimbabwe, A
Land of Eternal Mysteries" which is being translated from the Iranian
Persian language into English.

Iran has also participated in various cultural and art programmes in
Zimbabwe, among them the Zimbabwe International Book Fair.

The cultural ties between Zimbabwe and Iran are also being strengthened
through a magazine published by the Zimbabwe-Iran Friendship Association
that focuses on cultural issues.

Apart from the cultural ties, the two countries have strong relations in the
field of trade. Iran is also supporting Zimbabwe's land reform through a
credit facility to purchase agricultural equipment such as tractors.
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JAG CLASSIFIED: Updated 8th July 2004

Please send any classified adverts for publication in this newsletter to:
JAG Job Opportunities <justice@telco.co.zw>

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1.  Advert Received 29th June 2004

WANTED urgently is a working / non-working colour TV , VCR and/or DVD.
Kindly phone Joel on 04 751202 or 023 288454 email artslive@mweb.co.zw
_____________________________________________

2.  Advert Received 30th June 2004

FOR SALE :

1 second hand pellet gun (Gecado Mod. 27) plus carrier bag.  $800 000.00

1995 white Landrover Discovery.  Very good condition.  150 000kms. $70 000
000.00 (neg).

Tel: 04-494720 or cell : 091-247001 or email : cocky@zol.co.zw

______________________________________________

3.  Advert Received 1st July 2004

                       We can put a Sparkle in you eyes, a Smile on your
face, a Fragrance in the air and your Weight back to where you would like
it to be. Phone Liz O91-913-460
_____________________________________________

4.  Advert Received 1st July 2004

WANTED TO BUY:
SMALL CAR IN GOOD CONDITION FOR OLD LADY TO RUN ABOUT HARARE IN.
PREFERABLY MAZDA 323 or SIMILAR.
CONTACT: 011 208 836
_____________________________________________

5.  Advert Received 2nd July 2004

1.Cook/Gardner required for small home for aged in Mt. Pleasant
Must be experienced with meal preparation and cleaning.  Traceable
references
please
2.Male domestic worker required for Avondale area. Traceable references
please.
Telephone Mrs. D'Elia 739899/091311251

______________________________________________

6.  Advert Recived 2nd July 2004

WANTED. Urinal for small nursery school. Please phone Elize on 091318475 or
email skippie@mweb.co.zw.
______________________________________________

7.  Advert Received 3rd July 2004

Subject: Looking for contact details for Colin Wintle

 Prof. Morne du Plessis of the Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African
Ornithology wants to get in touch with Mr Colin Wintle.  We have tried
these two emails which were given to us by Alex Masterton:
geb@lineone.net; geb33@lineone.net, but without success.
Can anyone help?

Mrs Hilary Buchanan
Admin Assistant
 Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology
University of Cape Town
Rondebosch 7701
South Africa

Tel: (021) 650 3291
Fax: (021) 650 3295
visit our website: http://www.fitzpatrick.uct.ac.za
_______________________________________________

8.  Advert Received 4th July 2004

Subject: ANTIQUES WANTED
WANTED old furniture or antiques, anything you want to sell that is
unusual. Tel 091321640
______________________________________________

9.  Advert Received 4th July 2004

Subject: HOME INDUSTRIES
DO YOU HAVE A HOME INDUSTRY.  DO YOU WANT TO SELL YOUR PRODUCT THROUGH MY
OUTLET IN AVONDALE. CONTACT LINDA 091321640
______________________________________________

10.  Advert Received 5th July 2004

NEW "Gift" shop at Avondale next to Bata and Shamrock Chemist. Jerseys,
hats and booties in 100% cotton - all handknitted, t/shirts with a
difference, clothing,embroidery, ornaments, antique and unusual furniture,
gifts of all discriptions and fabulous animal art in metal.
______________________________________________

11.  Advert Received 5th July 2004

RADIO SYSTEM REQUIRED

Ballantyne Park Neighbourhood Watch urgently requires a radio system
complete with hand sets to coordinate the station with the vehicles and
foot patrollers. If you are able to be of

assistance please contact Paulette Resink 011 606 671 or 728098.
_____________________________________________

12 Advert Received 6th July 2004

 WANTED urgently is a working / non-working colour TV , VCR and/or DVD.
 Kindly phone Joel on 04 751202 or 023 288454 email artslive@mweb.co.zw

_____________________________________________

13 Advert Rceived 7th July 2004

Items for Sale:
Antique Show Case with Queen Ann legs and glass shelves.
Antique Chest of draws with swivel mirror.
Writting Beaureu.
Malaysian carved side tables x 4 large and x 1 centre table all inlaid with
bevelled glass and gold. Absolutely beautiful.
Printers Tray, Mantle Chime Clock, Old Valve Radio, Chairs, ornaments etc.
CALL IN AT iGwt SHOP AVONDALE SHOPPING COMPLEX NEXT TO BATA.
______________________________________________

14 Advert Received 8th July 2004

RARE ITEM OF RHODESIANA Offered

A Mint Condition Hardback Folder from the Rhodesiana Society Silver Jubilee
Portfolio of Botanical Prints (6)
Z$4million
Phone 04 - 739319
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