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Zimbabwe is a sinking titanic - Levy

Zimbabwe is a sinking titanic - Levy
By George Chellah
Thursday March 22, 2007 [02:01]

PRESIDENT Levy Mwanawasa has urged southern Africa to take a new approach to Zimbabwe, which he likened to a “sinking Titanic” as millions flee economic and political turmoil. And Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe will send a delegation to lodge an official complaint to the Zambian government over foreign affairs minister Mundia Sikatana's utterances on the human rights situation in his country.

According to Reuters yesterday, President Mwanawasa, who is currently in Namibia is reported to have said that the Southern African Development Community (SADC) had failed to achieve much in negotiations with Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe. "Quiet diplomacy has failed to help solve the political chaos and economic meltdown in Zimbabwe," Mwanawasa said late on Monday in Namibia. "As I speak right now, one SADC country has sunk into such economic difficulties that it may be likened to a sinking Titanic whose passengers are jumping out in a bid to save their lives."

And addressing journalists before departure for Namibia on Tuesday, President Mwanawasa said SADC would soon take a stand on the situation in Zimbabwe. Meanwhile, President Robert Mugabe would send a delegation to lodge an official complaint to the Zambian government over Sikatana's utterances on the human rights situation in Zimbabwe. Acting foreign affairs minister and chief government spokesperson Vernon Mwaanga yesterday confirmed media reports that the Zimbabwean government was sending a delegation over the matter. "We have received information to that effect. We are waiting to receive the delegation, which will be sent by President Robert Mugabe to make representation to the Zambian government concerning the statement made in Parliament by foreign affairs minister Mundia Sikatana," Mwaanga said.

He said President Mugabe's delegation would be warmly received. "Whatever issues they will raise will be discussed in a very open and frank manner as it has always been in the past," Mwaanga said. "They are welcome and we will listen to whatever they will say. They are our brothers and we are ready to discuss anything with them." Last week in parliament, Sikatana defiantly raised concern at the deteriorating human rights situation in Zimbabwe and the spill-over effects on neighbouring countries.

Despite parliamentary committees chairman Mkhondo Lungu advising Sikatana not to mention names of the countries he was debating because it was against parliamentary procedure, Sikatana assured that he would not violate the rules of the National Assembly. He said Zambia had taken a strong view that she should not keep silent when human rights were violated.

He said the Zambian government was not against Zimbabwe but was concerned that Zimbabweans were suffering. "We are not saying we are against Zimbabwe," Sikatana said. He said some Zimbabweans were becoming refugees in Zambia, Botswana and South Africa. He said although the illegal Zimbabwean immigrants were deported, they still returned. Sikatana said Zambia was the first country to urge the SADC to be concerned about the happenings in Zimbabwe.

Labels: MWANAWASA, ZIMBABWE

posted by MrK @ 3:48 AM