(TALKZIMBABWE) Britain shifts policy on Zimbabwe
Britain shifts policy on ZimbabweOur reporter
Tue, 03 Feb 2009 11:33:00 +0000
BRITAIN is following in President Barack Obama’s footsteps regarding their public diplomatic policy on Zimbabwe.
Although the country expressed scepticism over the all-inclusive Government, the former colonial master on Tuesday said Zimbabwe’s power-sharing arrangement should be given a chance.
The new tone from Britain comes a week after a telephone conversation between Prime Minister Gordon Brown and President Barack Obama. Brown was the first EU leader that Obama called since he assumed office.
During the 15-minute call described as “friendly and substantive” the two leaders discussed the deteriorating global economy, the Middle East, and other international issues including Zimbabwe, according to No 10 Downing Street.
Details of the discussions on these issues were not available, although critics say it is already clear that Obama intends to use his enormous global popularity to undo some of the damage caused by his predecessor, George W. Bush's preference for military might over diplomacy and positive engagement.
On Friday during a daily press briefing, State Department Acting Spokesman Robert A. Wood was quizzed on whether it was still the U.S. view that President Mugabe must quit. Wood avoided calling for the ouster saying: “The key is always implementation.”
“What Robert Mugabe needs to do is to do what’s best for the people of Zimbabwe; and an effective power-sharing arrangement, one that is equitable, fair, and in line with the will of the Zimbabwean people, that’s what needs to happen,” said Wood.
Britain Following Suit
Britain’s Minister of State in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office with responsibility for Africa, Asia and the United Nations, Lord Mark Malloch-Brown has adopted a similar shift of tone as did Washington.
On Tuesday, Lord Malloch-Brown told BBC's Radio 4 Today programme that he was convinced by leaders attending the African Union 12th Ordinary Session that Zimbabwe should be given a chance, marking a milestone in Britain-Zimbabwe relations.
Britain, like the U.S. has dropped its public demand for President Robert Mugabe to step down, in direct contrast to Bush policy. Lord Malloch-Brown said Britain listened to the advice of African leaders regarding Zimbabwe.
"I think the one message I've got loud and clear from this summit, and I'm very sympathetic to it, is we've got to give this (unity government) a go, we've got to all do our best to support it, because the needs of Zimbabweans are so overwhelming," Lord Malloch Brown told BBC radio in an interview from Addis Ababa.
"We're skeptical but we've got to try and help this work," he said, saying Britain and others would be generous donors if the all-inclusive Government was formed.
Zimbabwe is working on a Sadc-timeline for the implementation of the all-inclusive Government which will see MDC leaders Morgan Tsvangirai and Prof. Arthur Mutambara installed as Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, respectively. President Mugabe remains Head of State.
Triumph for African Diplomacy
Britain and U.S. shift in policy on Zimbabwe heralds a new era in African diplomacy as the continent's leaders say they are determined to play a more active role in conflict resolution on their own continent.
African leaders' contribution to resolving African problems is symbolic, as in the past the continent depended on Western and foreign governments to intervene resolving seemingly intractable conflicts on the continent.
Few observers imagined this type of resolution to the Zimbabwe crisis would have been possible at the start of the Sadc mandated talks two and half years ago.
Months of tension and harsh criticism of Zimbabwe and the quiet public diplomatic approach of then President of South Africa and Sadc-mandated Facilitator, Thabo Mbeki, left Zimbabwe internationally isolated and facing unprecedented sanctions from the United States, the European Union and even the Commonwealth countries.
Critics now say the leadership in Zimbabwe has to work together to ensure the smooth implementation of the Global Political Agreement. With international political opinion shifting the best time for party rivals to work together is now.
The smooth implementation of the global agreement requires a strict adherence to the Sadc timeline and sincerity by the politicians.
Unity Government Timeline
30 January 2009: Activation of, and first meeting of, the Joint-Monitoring Implementation Committee (JOMIC), provided for in the Global Political Agreement to, among other things, elect chairpersons;
January – February 4: Enactment of Constitutional Amendment Number 19 Bill
February 5: Creation of posts of Prime Minister and Deputy PM
February 11: Swearing in of Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Ministers
February 13: Appointment of Ministers and Deputy Ministers (Cabinet)
Labels: BARACK OBAMA, NEOCOLONIALISM
posted by MrK @ 7:27 PM
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