Zim problems exaggerated - Levy
Zim problems exaggerated - LevyBy Bivan Saluseki
Sunday August 19, 2007 [04:00]
PRESIDENT Levy Mwanawasa has said the problems in Zimbabwe are sometimes overexaggerated. And South African President Thabo Mbeki has commended Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Joseph Kabila for the job he was doing for his country despite his age (36).
Answering questions from journalists after the SADC Summit on Friday evening, President Mwanawasa said any problems in Zimbabwe would not be solved through the press. He said the heads of state were satisfied with the briefing they got from President Mbeki over the political situation in Zimbabwe.
"I am very hopeful that the problems in Zimbabwe will be resolved. Now, I feel at times that we overexaggerate the problems in Zimbabwe. The Zimbabweans fought for their independence and attained it and I am sure that they will solve their economic problems and live happily of course," he said.
President Mwanawasa said President Mbeki's brief was detailed.
"The briefing was detailed and covered all the aspects which we needed and we feel that the problem in Zimbabwe is not going to be solved through the press but we are satisfied with the report which was given by President Thabo Mbeki and we are satisfied that the talks are on a sound footing," he said.
Asked on Zimbabwe's human rights record, President Mwanawasa said they discussed the issue and the leaders were satisfied with the answers given.
"We don't want to prejudice the talks which are going on," he said.
"The elections are scheduled for March. It all depends on when they reach an agreement and it will also depend on whether electoral reform can take place during that time but we are quite satisfied that the law of elections which exists in that country is valid and fair enough for elections to take place."
President Mwanawasa said President Mugabe was not asked about the situation in Zimbabwe.
"He wasn't asked. We based ourselves solely on the report of President Thabo Mbeki. We were quite satisfied that Mr Thabo Mbeki was capable enough and proceeding in the right direction," he said.
He said the leaders were also presented with a report by the executive secretary on the economic situation.
Asked why President Mugabe left early, President Mwanawasa said: "You ask President Mugabe why he left earlier. I don't know. Don't forget that President Mugabe is an old man and we have had two days of strenuous discussions." President Mwanawasa said the Prime Minister of Mauritius Navinchandra Ramgoolam and Angola's Jose Eduardo do Santos left earlier too.
President Mwanawasa said issues of sanctions on Zimbabwe were not raised too.
He said there was an economic plan for Zimbabwe being drafted by ministers.
On the SADC gender protocol, President Mwanawasa said it was not signed because some countries needed to consult more before they could append their signatures.
And President Mwanawasa said Zambia had a big challenge in terms of choosing between SADC and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).
"We have a big challenge as Zambia. We are members of COMESA and we host COMESA. COMESA is hosted here. We are also members of SADC and presently I am the chairman. So it becomes a very difficult problem for us to choose which organisation we should go to," he said.
"But our priority should not be deciding to which regional body we should belong. Our problem must be to work hard to try and harmonise the decisions in both organisations so that if we have common customs union, perhaps in the end it will not be necessary to decide where we should belong. I am thinking loudly. The economists will advise me."
And President Mwanawasa said the Summit readmitted Seychelles to SADC bringing the number of member states to 15.
President Mwanawasa said as of August 8, 2007, member states had remitted their contributions towards the expected US$18,907,693 SADC budget for the 2007/2008 fiscal year.
He said the customs instruments for customs cooperation and trade facilitation had been developed and adopted.
President Mwanawasa asked the media to disseminate the resolutions to the region.
"At some point, the media became known as the fourth estate or the watchdog. I do not envy you as that implies that you have to live exceptionally flawless lives because there is no rationale behind watching over others if you are not better than them, lest you find yourself throwing stones when you are also living in a glass house," said President Mwanawasa.
And President Mbeki who proposed a vote of thanks congratulated President Kabila for the efforts he was making in bringing peace to the DRC.
"I congratulate him because despite his age, he has really done a great job of leading DRC," he said.
President Kabila had earlier said he wanted to fulfill the expectations of the people arising from last year's elections.
President Mbeki commended President Kabila for such kind of efforts.
President Mbeki said everyone expected such responsibilities.
"I know he is going to do very well," he said.
President Mbeki, who takes over the chairmanship next year, said he was hopeful President Mwanawasa would deliver.
He commended Botswana President Festus Mogae, who will be leaving office next year, for his contributions to SADC.
He said President Mogae would be given a chance to address the SADC Summit next year because as soon as one retires from office, he becomes an elder statesman who should be consulted.
posted by MrK @ 3:43 AM
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