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African Regional News
8 June 2009
Harare — Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai is today expected to leave for the United States and Europe after being tasked by the Government to call for the removal of sanctions and seek a financial package to revive the economy.
President Mugabe met with US Congressman Donald Payne last week ahead of PM Tsvangirai's three-week visit to Washington and European capitals to call for the lifting of sanctions and seek a package to revive the economy.
The President told Mr Payne that Government had tasked PM Tsvangirai to visit the US and European capitals to call for the lifting of the embargo and seek aid to resuscitate the economy.
An official in the Prime Minister's Office yesterday said the PM leaves today for a three-week visit to France, Sweden, Britain, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Denmark and the US.
According to sources close to the deliberations between President Mugabe and Mr Payne, the President expressed hope that his visit would lead to the removal of the sanctions the US imposed through the so-called Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act (ZDERA).
"The President especially underscored that what Zimbabwe wanted were not just handouts and donations, but soft loans and credit lines which Zimbabwe would pay back on the strength of its own resources.
"He was hopeful the Congressman's visit would bring 'the flag of freedom from sanctions'," a source said.
Mr Payne emphasised that he was a supporter of Zimbabwe's liberation struggle and it was important that the inclusive Government reasserts human rights.
He told the President that Washington wants peace and justice in Zimbabwe and was strong on issues pertaining to human rights.
"He also revealed that the US Congress would take the initiative on ZDERA and would send it to the executive for consideration in the shortest possible time," the source said.
Mr Payne informed President Mugabe that the US was currently working with Cuba, Iran and Venezuela to normalise relations and it was important that Zimbabwe was not left out of this new engagement policy.
Mr Payne was involved in the crafting of ZDERA.
The sanctions -- which have hit Zimbabwe badly -- were called for by the united MDC before it joined Government.
But lately, there has been a common call across parties for an end to the embargo.
Besides Zanu-PF, the MDC formation led by Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara has spoken strongly against the embargo.
On MDC-T's side, PM Tsvangirai has indirectly called for the removal of the sanctions, urging the West to lift the "restrictive measures".
However, MDC-T secretary-general and Finance Minister Tendai Biti has been more direct, telling the West that sanctions are hampering the inclusive Government.
Observers have wondered why the sanctions were being maintained long after both MDC formations have joined Government, raising the question: "In whose interests were the sanctions imposed?"
PM Tsvangirai's visit to the US and Europe is in accordance with the Global Political Agreement, which states that the sanctions must be removed.
The sanctions, therefore, remain the major outstanding issue of the GPA, which gave birth to the inclusive Government.
The Sadc summit of March 2007 in Tanzania set the ball rolling in the call for the lifting of the sanctions by unequivocally slamming the embargo.
After the formation of the inclusive Government, it established a Cabinet committee chaired by Foreign Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi to call for the removal of the sanctions and re-engagement of Zimbabwe with the EU.
On the other hand, Sadc established a team of ministers, which has been going round Western capitals calling for the lifting of the sanctions and seeking economic aid for Zimbabwe.
Visiting Swedish Director of International Development Co-operation Mr Jan Knutsson yesterday met PM Tsvangirai and Deputy PM Mutambara.
In an interview, Mr Knutsson said he had been briefed by the PM on the political developments in the country.
"We also discussed the European Union presidency that Sweden will be assuming next month and how we can assist Zimbabwe," said Mr Knutsson, who was accompanied by the head of the Southern, Central and Eastern Africa section, Mr Pereric Hogberg.
An official in the PM's Office said the Swedish officials were briefed about the successes and challenges facing the inclusive Government.
"The PM also briefed them about the support the country requires," said the official.
Speaking after meeting Mr Knutsson, DPM Mutambara said it was critical that Sweden and Zimbabwe restore their relations and co-operation.
"The future of this country lies in investment and not humanitarian aid, because we are capable of feeding ourselves and the continent," said DPM Mutambara.
During his three-day stay in Zimbabwe, Mr Knutsson also met Minister Biti, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Elton Mangoma, Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Eric Matinenga, Secretary for Foreign Affairs Mr Joey Bimha, local World Bank representatives and ambassadors accredited to Zimbabwe.
The Swedish official, who arrived on Wednesday, is on a fact-finding mission as Stockholm prepares to assume the rotating EU presidency on July 1.
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