Maravi

Britain opposes regime change in Zimbabwe

Britain opposes regime change in Zimbabwe
By Inonge Noyoo
Thursday March 29, 2007 [02:01]

BRITISH High Commissioner to Zambia Alistair Harrison yesterday said his country is not for regime change in Zimbabwe. During a press lunch, High Commissioner Harrison said Britain was for policy and not regime change in Zimbabwe. "We would like to see a policy change that will reverse economic decline in Zimbabwe. We are not for regime change but policy change," he said.

He said his country had tried to maintain a bilateral relation with Zimbabwe. "We are not against the people of Zimbabwe, the only measures we have taken are those against leaders in Zimbabwe. We have refused to let some leaders travel to European Union countries. These measures are not directed at people. It's not an issue about the United Kingdom and Zimbabwe," he said. High Commissioner Harrison welcomed President Mwanawasa's statements on Zimbabwe.

"It's good that African countries are seeking to find a way forward to the problems in Zimbabwe. We feel African governments themselves should solve problems in Africa. What we European governments share with the Zambian government is the political situation in that country," he said. "We have been touched by the political situation and the violence in Zimbabwe."

He said Zimbabwe stood out as a country that had in some way failed its people politically and economically. High Commissioner Harrison suggested that steps be taken to make reconciliation between Zimbabwe and its people. He said the reconciliation process was, however, being stopped by those indulging in violence. High Commissioner Harrison said his country had tried to continue supporting Zimbabwe economically. Leaders in the SADC region are meeting in Tanzania over the Zimbabwe crisis.

And High Commissioner Harrison announced that the Duke of Gloucester would be visiting Zambia in early May. He said this would be the first official visit of a British royal family member since the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh came to Zambia in 1979 and Prince of Wales in 1984. High Commissioner Harrison said the Duke of Gloucester would pay a courtesy call on President Mwanawasa, meet government officials and business leaders.

On Patriotic Front leader Michael Sata's letter to him over British Airways, High Commissioner Harrison said he had read the letter and would soon have a frank discussion with Sata on the matter. However, High Commissioner Harrison said British Airways was privatised 20 years ago hence he had no direct authority. Sata, in a letter to High Commissioner Harrison, protested against the treatment of prospective passengers at its Holiday Inn offices. He appealed to High Commissioner Harrison to prevail and restore humane services at British Airways.

Labels: ZIMBABWE

posted by MrK @ 3:39 AM