Morgan Tsvangirai heads for Europe and US in bid to raise cash

http://www.timesonline.co.uk

June 6, 2009

Jan Raath in Harare
The United States, Britain and Europe will welcome a Zimbabwean leader on an
official visit to their shores for the first time in nearly a decade next
week as Morgan Tsvangirai, the Prime Minister in the new power-sharing
Government, embarks on an international tour to try to win support to
rebuild his shattered country.

After nearly ten years of policies designed to isolate Robert Mugabe's
autocratic regime in Zimbabwe, Mr Tsvangirai is expected to be embraced by
President Obama in the White House early next week. He is expected to
receive a similarly warm welcome from heads of states across eight European
capitals, including London.

It is the first top-level effort from the new Zimbabwean Government - which
still has Mr Mugabe as its President - to resume close relations with the
West.

The speed and ease with which Mr Tsvangirai has been accommodated into the
schedules of world leaders is being seen as a carrot to Mr Mugabe, who has
been forced to cool his heels in Harare by sanctions against him and about
230 of his cronies. Only one Cabinet minister from Mr Mugabe's side of
government will be able to accompany Mr Tsvangirai to America, because he is
the only one not banned from entering the US. Several, however, are being
granted visas for the European leg of the trip - Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, the
Foreign Minister, among them - because a clause in the European Commission's
sanctions allows them to be waived for "political dialogue".

Zimbabwe needs billions of pounds in international aid for the
reconstruction of an economy wrecked by corruption and abuse of power in the
past decade of Mugabe rule. A £5.3 billion, three-year reconstruction
project is planned - but although Mr Tsvangirai will personally be well
received, Western diplomats say his chances of securing the funding package
he wants are remote.
Concerns remain that Mr Mugabe has failed to demonstrate sufficient
commitment to reform and genuine power-sharing, and continues to use the
security forces, judiciary and media to stiffle change. Potential donors are
worried that funds could be diverted to him and to his cronies.

"Until the finance ministry can ensure that nothing will be channelled to
corrupt use, as it has been before, forget it," said one.

Instead, London, Washington and Brussels will continue to insist that aid
money goes to humanitarian agencies' projects, although Sweden is tinkering
with what is called "the humanitarian-plus option" of paying salaries direct
to teachers and nurses.

Many of Mr Tsvangirai's senior officials - some of whom have still not been
put on the government payroll - admit to the frustration of trying to work
within a government where Mr Mugabe's side often makes things as difficult
as possible.

Mr Tsvangirai has had to have his Prime Minister's address to the nation
recorded privately because the pro-Mugabe state media have refused to handle
it, and he is now struggling to have it broadcast.

"Every day is a struggle to get the tiniest thing done," said one of Mr
Tsvangirai's officials, who asked not to be named. "It is utterly
exhausting."

Mr Tsvangirai is due to visit the US, Britain, France, Germany, Holland,
Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Belgium, the latter as headquarters of the EU.

Zimbabwe growth at 2.8 pct in 2009

http://af.reuters.com/

Sat Jun 6, 2009 3:28pm GMT

CAIRO (Reuters) - Zimbabwe's economy, devastated by an economic crisis, is
forecast to grow by 2.8 percent in 2009 helped by the new government's
recovery programme, a Zimbabwean Economic Planning Ministry official said on
Saturday.

"Our forecast this year is that the economy is going to grow by 2.8
percent," Samuel Undenge, deputy minister for economic planning, told
reporters on the sidelines of a Cairo conference, adding this followed the
new coalition government's move to set up a recovery programme to stabilise
the economy.

Transparency International Says Corruption Widespread in Zimbabwe Police, Judiciary

Interview With John Makumbe  - Download (MP3)
Interview With John Makumbe  - Listen (MP3)

Audit to weed out ghost workers

Moves to set up commissions

http://www.zimonline.co.za

by Nqobizitha Khumalo Saturday 06 June 2009

BULAWAYO - The government moved closer to meeting targets set under the
global political agreement (GPA) when a special parliamentary committee
invited on Friday interested people to submit applications to be appointed
to four key commissions to be set up in terms a constitutional amendment
earlier this year.

Adverts placed in local papers by Parliament's Standing Rules and Orders
committee stipulate that those applying to be commissioners must be chosen
for their knowledge and experience in the field applied for.

The four commissions provided for under Constitutional Amendment Number 19
are the Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC), the Independent Zimbabwe Electoral
Commission, the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission and the Zimbabwe Human
Rights Commission.

Parliament said the application process would close in two weeks time.

Speaker of Parliament, Lovemore Moyo, in an interview last week indicated
that interviews will be conducted immediately after applications have been
invited and said the names of those that applied will be made public while
those that are ultimately recommended to President Robert Mugabe will also
be made public.

The setting up of the commissions will be the starting point towards the
democratisation of state institutions that have been under the control of
Mugabe and ZANU PF.

ZMC will replace the Tafataona Mahoso led Media and Information Commission
(MIC) which during its tenure shut down four independent newspapers and
issued stringent conditions for registration of foreign journalists.

Four freelance journalists have applied to the High Court challenging the
legality of the MIC.

The Independent Zimbabwe Electoral Commission is set to replace the Zimbabwe
Electoral Commission (ZEC), accused by the opposition MDC of backing and
supporting Mugabe and ZANU PF in the last polls.

The Anti Corruption Commission is expected to deal with worsening corruption
in the country while the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission is expected to
start work in reviewing the human rights situation in the country. -
ZimOnline

PM meets Swedish delegation

http://www.zimonline.co.za

by Patricia Mpofu Saturday 06 June 2009

HARARE - Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai on Friday held private
discussions with a visiting Swedish delegation ahead of his visit to the
European nation next week.

Tsvangirai is due to visit at least 10 European countries. He leaves
Harare Monday on a trip to plead for financial support for the troubled
inclusive government.

Sweden ambassador to Harare, Sten Rylander, said Friday that the
delegation led by Jan Knutsson, the Director General of International
Development Cooperation in the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, had
held fruitful discussions with the Prime Minister.

"It was a fruitful discussion and he is looking forward to the visit.
He will be probably leaving for Europe on Saturday as he is scheduled to
visit 10 countries," said Rylander.

Government sources said Tsvangirai met the Swedish delegation together
with nine other embassy officials of the countries he is due to visit in
Europe as well as America.

The Swedish delegation left Harare Friday night.

On Thursday the delegation, which was in the country to assess the
political situation following the formation of the inclusive government,
held high level talks with senior government officials, among them Finance
Minister Tendai Biti.

Knutsson arrived in Harare on Wednesday accompanied by that country's
Head of Southern Africa, Pereric Högberg. - ZimOnline

Washington Grants Visa To Zimbabwean Minister of Mugabe's ZANU-PF

http://www.voanews.com



By Blessing Zulu
Washington
05 June 2009

The U.S. administration has granted a visa to a Zimbabwean minister of the
ZANU-PF party of President Robert Mugabe who had previously been barred from
entering the United States, allowing him to come to Washington next week
with Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.

Sources in Harare said Tsvangirai leaves on Saturday for the Netherlands but
is scheduled to be in Washington on Monday, when he is expected to meet
President Barack Obama.

Tourism Minister Walter Mzembi of ZANU-PF will be traveling with Mr.
Tsvangirai. Though he is not among ZANU-PF officials subject to travel and
financial sanctions, he was rebuffed last month when he sought to travel to
Washington with Finance Minister Tendai Biti.

Sources in Harare said Mzembi is considered to be a moderate and conjectured
that the U.S. administration might be be trying to isolate ZANU-PF
hardliners.

Also accompanying Mr. Tsvangirai will be Economic Development Minister Elton
Mangoma and Regional Integration Minister Priscilla Misihairambwi-Mushonga,
respectively of the Tsvangirai formation of the former opposition Movement
for Democratic Change party and the MDC grouping headed by Deputy Prime
Minister Arthur Mutambara.

The delegation will seek budgetary and humanitarian assistance, government
sources said.

Minister of State Gorden Moyo, attached to the prime minister's office, told
reporter Blessing Zulu of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that the cabinet has
decided Mr. Tsvangirai and his staff should be in charge of coordinating
humanitarian assistance.

London-based human rights lawyer Dewa Mavhinga said ZANU-PF must capitalize
on the olive branch seemingly extended by the Obama administration and
embrace reform.

Sudan's Beshir in Zimbabwe for trade summit

7 hours ago

VICTORIA FALLS, Zimbabwe (AFP) - Sudan's President Omar al-Beshir, who faces
international arrest for war crimes, arrived in Zimbabwe on Saturday for a
two-day African trade summit.

Beshir will join heads of state from the 19-member Common Market for Eastern
and Southern Africa (COMESA) who are set to approve a free customs union on
Sunday.

Zimbabwe has no duty to arrest Beshir as it is not party to the treaty that
set up the International Criminal Court (ICC), justice minister Patrick
Chinamasa told AFP.

"We are aware that the President of Sudan is under an ICC warrant of arrest
which he disputes. We are not a state party under the Rome Statute. We have
no obligation under the Statute of Rome to execute that obligation," he
said.

The ICC issued an arrest warrant in March for Beshir to face five counts of
crimes against humanity and two of war crimes over the conflict in Darfur.

Sudan is a member of COMESA, which will be chaired from Sunday by Zimbabwe
President Robert Mugabe who takes over from Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki.

Under the free customs union deal, the 19 countries with a total population
of 400 million people will impose the same tariffs on goods from outside the
region.

Raw materials and capital goods will travel across borders without tariffs,
while intermediate products will be taxed at 10 percent and finished goods
at 25 percent.

Also in Victoria Falls is ousted Madagascan leader Marc Ravalomanana, who
said Madagascar needs support and help from the trade bloc, following his
ouster in March.

"It was a coup. I'm sure COMESA will make a commitment so that I get my
country back," he told reporters at Victoria Falls airport.

Ravalomanana this week dismissed a four-year jail term to which he was
sentenced in absentia over his purchase of a 60-million-dollar presidential
jet.

COMESA consists of Burundi, Comoros, the Democratic Republic of Congo,
Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi,
Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sudan, Swaziland, Uganda, Zambia and
Zimbabwe.

Ousted Madagascan Leader in Zimbabwe

http://www.radiovop.com


VICTORIA FALLS, June 6 2009 - Ousted Madagascan leader Marc
Ravalomanana arrived in Zimbabwe on Saturday ahead of a two-day summit set
to launch a free customs union for Africa's main trading bloc.

Ousted Madagascan Leader Marc RavalomananaHeads of state from the
19-member Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) are set to
approve the free customs union on Sunday after trade ministers agreed on a
common external tariff deal.

Ravalomanana said he was invited by Africa's main trade bloc and the
Zimbabwean government and that Madagascar needed support and help from the
trade bloc, following his ouster in March.

"It was a coup. I'm sure COMESA will make a commitment so that I get
my country back," he told reporters at Victoria Falls airport.

"People of Madagascar are suffering. The illegal government is bad and
the situation is deteriorating every day. We have to follow rules of
democracy."

Ravalomanana this week dismissed a four-year jail term to which he was
sentenced in absentia over his purchase of a 60-million-dollar presidential
jet.

On Sunday, Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe will take over the
COMESA chairmanship from outgoing chairman Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki.

Under the customs union deal, the 19 countries will impose the same
tariffs on goods from outside the region.

Raw materials and capital goods will travel across borders without
tariffs, while intermediate products will be taxed at 10 percent and
finished goods at 25 percent.

COMESA consists of Burundi, Comoros, the Democratic Republic of Congo,
Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi,
Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sudan, Swaziland, Uganda, Zambia and
Zimbabwe. (AFP)

Security of Re-abducted MDC Members Guaranteed

http://www.radiovop.com


HARARE, June 6 2009 - Judge President Justice Rita Makarau on Saturday
granted security to three Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) activists who
were re-abducted on the 2nd of June and forced by the state to testify
against their fellow party members.

In her address to the court when she withdraw an application by the
state to force the three MDC party members to appear as state witnesses on
the 8th of June when the trial of the six MDC members, who were also
abducted in October last year, Judge President Rita Makarau said the three
will be protected by law and should give their true testimony without fear
on Monday 8 June when the trial kicks off.

"I am personally going to guarantee your security on the trial day,
and you should also seek security before you start giving your testimony. It
is not my responsibility to grant you security but the law should do that
for you. You should also show the courage you have shown to me when you were
narrating your reasons for refusing to testify against your fellow party
members, and this should be done truthfully because if you lie you wont be
protected by the law," said Judge President Makarau.

The three MDC members who were re-abducted are Fanny Tembo, Lloyd
Tarumbwa and Terry Musona.

Judge President Makarau also applauded the three's lawyers, Innocent
Chagonda and Chris Mhike and the state which was represented by Chris
Mtangadura from the Attorney Generals office, for their apolitical approach
to the matter.

"I want to thank the defence team and the prosecution for the
professionalism they have shown in dealing with this matter. You have done
me proud because you did not put any political connotation to this case
throughout the hearing. If our justice system treats all cases like what you
have done surely everyone will be fairly tried without political bias," said
Judge President Rita Makarau.

The three MDC members were arguing that the state was forcing them to
testify against their fellow six party members whom they were abducted with
by state agents, and who are being charged under the criminal law and
codification act.

The activists whose trial date has been set for Monday 8 June at the
High court are Cecilia Chinanzvavana, Fidelis Mujabumi, Violet Mupfuranhewe
and Collin Mutemagau.

The three through their lawyers last Thursday filed an urgent chamber
application challenging their forced appearance in court as state witnesses.
The chamber application was heard on Friday and Judge President Justice Rita
Makarau requested that that the three be brought before her to narrate their
ordeal leading to the application.

The three were brought before the Judge President on Saturday
afternoon where one of them Fanny Tembo told the court that if their
security was guaranteed, they would tell the truth on the trial date
contrary to the state's affidavits which state that the three are state
witnesses.

He also said he was not aware of the contents of the state affidavits
which he said he together with the two other activists were forced to sign
while in abduction.

The trial will kick off on Monday the 8th of June at the High Court of
Zimbabwe.

Villagers accuse Mohadi of seizing cattle

Cheap Imports Collapse Troubled Textile Industry

http://www.fingaz.co.zw/

Shame Makoshori

4 June 2009

Harare - ZIMBABWE'S textile workers this week appealed for government's
intervention to halt the mass importation of textiles after results of a
recent survey revealed that 5 231 jobs had been lost in eight months as the
industry responded to increased foreign competition by cutting jobs.

The importation of textiles, which started taking its toll on the once
vibrant industry in the early 1990s when cheap fabric from Mozambique
flooded the local market, has accelerated since the liberalisation of the
country's economy in February. Most industry players are now on the brink of
collapse after failing to withstand the heat from cheap imports.

Last month, the Zimbabwe Textile Workers Union (ZTWU) warned, in a letter to
Industry and Commerce Minister Welshman Ncube, that further job cuts were
imminent if government does not take swift action to minimise the influx of
cheap fabric into the country.

The ZTWU membership has declined from 11 523 workers in September 2008 to 6
292 at the end of April.

"The industry is in intensive care," ZTWU secretary general Silas Kuveya
wrote.

"Our statistics reveal that from September 2008 to April 2009, the textile
industry in Zimbabwe lost about 5 231 jobs and if the issue is not addressed
as a matter of urgency, the textile sector will loose more jobs.

"The above only refers to the textile industry and we believe that the
clothing industry is also affected in the same manner and this affects our
economy as well," added Kuveya.

Recent statistics by the National Union for the Clothing Industry indicate
that 16 000 workers remained in the industry in 2006 from about 24 000 in
2000 as the effects of hyperinflation, power and foreign currency shortages
combined to subdue production.

Two years ago, industry leader David Whitehead Textiles Limited escaped from
the jaws of closure as a result of the harsh economic terrain worsened by
the effects of imported textiles.

In the 1990s, another industry giant, Cone Textiles, now operating as
Modzone Enterprises, had to be rescued from collapse after serious viability
concerns triggered by the increased competition from imports and input
shortages.

Several other small textile companies have closed shop due to the hostile
operating environment.

The ZTWU said it has particularly been enraged by the sale of two-in-one
blankets in Chinese and Nigerian shops weighing only 3,5 kg instead of the
recommended 5kg.
The union said while it appreciates the need for competition on the domestic
market, it noted with concern that there is "unfair" competition emanating
from some blanket manufacturers.

"The union has discovered that there is a sub-standard two-in-one blanket
being purported to be imported from South Africa and sold in local Chinese
and Nigerian shops.

"In actual fact, it seems this blanket is made in China and its packaging
and distribution is done in Zimbabwe while the bag is written 'Made in South
Africa' and the blanket label is written in Chinese," Kuveya said.

Zuma vows to continue supporting Harare

http://www.zimonline.co.za

by Own Correspondent Saturday 06 June 2009

JOHANNESBURG - South African President Jacob Zuma has said his
government will continue supporting efforts to resuscitate Zimbabwe's
economy and bring back democracy in the troubled northern neighbour.

In a state of the union address last Wednesday Zuma, who is also the
current Southern African Development Community (SADC) chairperson, urged
"all peace-loving countries of the world" to support the inclusive
government in Harare to help resolve the current political and economic
problems confronting it. ?

"The plight of the Zimbabwean people has had a negative impact on the
SADC region, especially South Africa. We call upon all peace-loving
countries in the world to support the inclusive government to achieve
economic recovery," said Zuma.

The newly elected South African President, who unlike former President
Thabo Mbeki has been outspoken against Mugabe's autocratic rule, said South
Africa will continue with its efforts under the regional SADC grouping to
find lasting solutions to political problems in Zimbabwe and other
flashpoints in Africa.

"As the chairperson of SADC and facilitator, we will participate in
promoting the inclusive government until free and fair elections are held in
Zimbabwe," he said.

Zuma said problems in Africa, and Zimbabwe in particular, will impact
on every nation in the region adding that it was important that neighbouring
countries help Zimbabwe in its recovery efforts. ??

The South African president also vowed to continue supporting efforts
to resolve conflicts on the continent's hot spots including Darfur in Sudan,
the Saharawi Arab Republic and Madagascar. ??

Zuma, who survived an eight-year battle against corruption charges
that threatened to ruin him, was inaugurated as South Africa's third
democratically elected president last month following his ruling African
National Congress (ANC) party's victory in national elections in April.

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai
and Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara formed a unity government under a
power sharing deal brokered last year by former South African President
Thabo Mbeki on behalf of SADC.

Under the inclusive government, Zimbabwe has halted its spectacular
economic collapse, abandoning its worthless currency and easing price
controls, which has brought food back on to store shelves.

But with state coffers empty, unemployment at 94 percent, more than
half the population surviving on international food aid and some squabbles
still dogging the unity government, the country remains mired in crisis.  -
ZimOnline

 

Zimbabwean, Betty Makoni is my hero!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com

Michealene Cristini Risley
Posted: June 5, 2009 06:28 PM

I met Betty Makoni back in spring of 2007. I was introduced to her work by
photojournalist and dear friend, Paola Gianturco:
http://www.womenwholightthedark.com/

Paola and I were going to hear Betty speak in San Francisco but by accident
when I called for a ticket to the event, Sara Dotlich, who was head of
African Affairs for IDEX, answered the phone. Idex is a non-profit "that
provides grants to those who promote sustainable solutions to poverty."
http://www.idex.org/who-we-are.html.

After my conversation with Sara, she arranged for Betty and I to meet in a
small Café in San Francisco. We talked and shared our personal stories of
abuse as children. Betty's story was horrific. By the age of 9, she had
already been raped and watched her mother beaten to death before her eyes.
We spoke the same language; a language of survivors who turned their
personal stories into something more collective to change the world. We were
like an old married couple, we finished each others sentences, read each
others minds and left that restaurant as life long friends. In truth a
relationship that was cemented by the same origins of pain. A pain that for
both of us caused a deep and burning desire to help others.

So much of the anger and resentment surrounding rape and abuse is stirred in
a large bowl with love and laughter and other confusing factors. It is tough
to mix those ingredients together into anything that resembles a normal
life. The combination of those feelings makes sifting through the items for
the recipe painful at the very least.

I suppose part of what Betty and I had in common at that point was the
resilience to keep moving through the pain to find a place of comfort. We
both had healed enough to create productive lives and raise families. Both
of us had a strong desire to help others through the maze of abuse. Even if
helping others is defined by simply telling your personal story-it is enough
to make other survivors feel less alone.

Betty founded an organization called The Girl Child Network, a place where
girls could come after being raped or abused. The number of children abused
and raped in Zimbabwe is staggering. This behavior is fueled by the belief
that if a man rapes a virgin he will cure his AIDS. Makoni has created three
empowerment villages in Zimbabwe to help girls devastated by this myth. She
has saved thousands of lives. Betty continues to tell her story, even though
it is difficult. She must encounter those traumatized every step of the way.
Sometimes she can help them, sometimes she cannot, but pain follows her like
the skin upon her frame. Vital but unwanted. The aftermath of abuse, no
matter how well you have healed, often hits you when you least expect it.

For Betty, telling the truth and helping these girls has put her life at
risk. After I went to Zimbabwe to tell her story, and after my own
imprisonment, they hauled her into prison for harboring me, an "alleged CIA"
agent. In the prison cell, she had to stand for days without food or water.
Despite this, Betty never waivered from her support of the girls.

So many people REFUSE to discuss rape and abuse. I often say that I can
clear a room, when I start talking about this issue. It would be funny, if
it wasn't so true. The only way we can begin to understand and eradicate
abuse is by talking about it. According to Amnesty International:
http://www.amnestyinternational.com "One out of every three women worldwide
is beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in her lifetime."
According to the US Census Bureau roughly 3 billion women inhabit the globe.
http://www.census.gov/ipc/www/popclockworld.html. One third of that is 1.1
billion women. Think about this-1.1 billion women will face abuse in their
life time. Isn't it time we stood up and said, enough?

By they way, Betty isn't only my hero, check out her recognition at
CNNHEROES: http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/cnn.heroes/index.html

Please check out our upcoming documentary on Betty Makoni:
http://www.tapestresofhope.com.

Walking amongst us

Dear Family and Friends,

Life is strange, almost surreal, in Zimbabwe this winter 2009. A week
into June and the weather still can't quite decide if its winter or
not. Mosquitoes, usually long gone by now, continue to emerge at dusk
and come into our houses, sitting on ceilings and roofs waiting for
victims. The weather isn't the only thing that's weird at the moment.

Deputy Prime Minister Mutambara came to our town this week. One port
of call was the local government hospital which has been in a state of
near collapse for a couple of years. Gaping potholes that littered the
road leading to the hospital were hastily filled before the Deputy
PM's visit but the patching stopped a couple of metres past the main
entrance gate. You fall into the holes on this main road just a corner
away. The mentality of making things look good just for the leaders
and only when VIP's visit, continues to haunt us and the rights and
needs of ratepayers and members of the community remains elusive.

There's a notable increase in the amount of big 4x4 vehicles
belonging to international charities on our roads. UN departments,
food programmes, medical organizations, religious charities. We hear
this week that the ICRC are feeding our prisoners, providing inmates
with blankets, soap and clothing. Unicef are drilling boreholes at the
University and our supermarkets are filled with South African goods.

'Zimbabwe for Zimbabweans,' the much quoted Mugabe mantra, is never
more hollow than now.

So destroyed is our agricultural foundation and so collapsed

our production at home, that imported South African goods are cheaper
than home grown food. Imported frozen chickens continue to be 2 US
dollars (20 SA Rand) cheaper than birds grown in our back yards. Its a
surreal situation not likely to improve any time soon as farm grabs by
senior political and security men continue unashamedly even as we try
to put the country back together again.

Perhaps the most surreal and frightening thing of all is that 4
months into Zimbabwe's unity government, truth, justice and
accountability is simply not featuring. The very men and women who led
us to this diabolical state; the ones who stole, beat, burnt and
killed are walking amongst us untouched - as if nothing happened.
Zimbabwe cannot be allowed to move on without truth, justice and
accountability. Until next week, thanks for reading, love cathy.

Copyright cathy buckle 6th June 2009 www.cathybuckle.com

Zimbabwe Still A Work In Progress

http://www.voanews.com/

The Following is an Editorial Reflecting the Views of the US Government


05 June 2009

Zimbabwe's transitional government marked its first 100 days in office
recently, and its leaders can be justly proud of the progress so far. Since
President Robert Mugabe grudgingly agreed to share power with Morgan
Tsvangirai as prime minister, the economy has begun to stabilize, hospitals
and schools have gradually reopened, government workers are receiving modest
amounts, and food is increasingly available in shops again. Given Zimbabwe's
total collapse in 2008, the country has come far.

But while improvements have been made in these areas, hard-line factions
within the government continue to stymie comprehensive reform. Zimbabweans
are still being detained for their political beliefs and activities, and the
nation's agricultural sector, once among the most productive in Africa, is
in shambles due to ongoing farm invasions and government mismanagement. The
country's humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate in the wake of a
major cholera epidemic, among other factors.

Zimbabwe's friends in the international community have been quick to address
the country's humanitarian needs and will continue to do so. According to
the United Nations, donor nations have provided more than $246 million since
November for medical, feeding and other relief programs there. The U.S. has
provided more than $150 million in humanitarian aid so far in fiscal year
2009.

While the government has requested financial aid beyond humanitarian
assistance, unresolved problems in implementing the power-sharing agreement
raise doubts that any funds provided directly to the government would reach
those who need it most. In light of the Mugabe regime's disastrous record of
handling the nation's finances and caring for those in need, those doubts
are justified.

The United States is closely monitoring the government's progress with
regard to providing development assistance in the future. But at this point,
much more work needs to be done. Foremost, there must be movement toward
democracy, true power sharing and a commitment to human rights and respect
for due process. Zimbabwe is seeing real change, but the journey is just
beginning.

Lessons of Zimbabwe revisited