(TALKZIMBABWE) Inclusive Government working well, PM Tsvangirai

Thursday, April 02, 2009

(TALKZIMBABWE) Inclusive Government working well, PM Tsvangirai

Inclusive Government working well, PM Tsvangirai
Nancy Pasipanodya
Thu, 02 Apr 2009 05:54:00 +0000

PRIME MINISTER Morgan Tsvangirai says he has a good working relationship with President Mugabe and has given an insight into how the new inclusive Government is working.

Speaking to journalists since his return from South Africa where he was resting and recuperating after the death of his wife in a car crash, the prime minister said although they disagreed "from time to time", his relationship with President Mugabe was cordial and business-like.

"We operate on business-like relationship. Of course, we disagree from time to time, but not in a manner which is antagonistic. It is a productive relationship," he said.

The Prime Minister also said he reported to the president every Monday to brief him on the progress the inclusive Government is making and the challenges being faced.

Last month President Mugabe described his relationship with the prime minister as "brotherly".

Prime Minister Tsvangirai urged all Zimbabweans to put their faith in the inclusive Government to ensure its success.

"To Zimbabweans, your placing hope on this Government is not false. It is real," he said.

"Success can only be guaranteed if all Zimbabweans pull together and support this new government."

Tsvangirai also made comments about the land reform exercise.

He said there was a land reform process that had been set in motion and there was no need for that process to be chaotic.

"This is a matter of concern to us. Chaos is the last thing that should be in our minds. There is a process on land reform we have to follow . . . I have assigned the Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee to address the issue."

The Prime Minister also said the international community should support the reforms being made in Zimbabwe and there was no need to be skeptical.

"This country has embarked on a number of reforms — the constitutional process, legislative reforms, economic reforms, media reforms . . . I do not know what other reforms they are talking about.

"I see no reason why everyone should doubt these reforms," he said.

The Prime Minister is now back full time in office after a week's break to mourn his wife and be with his family.

His aide, James Maridadi said a meeting will be held soon by the leaders to resolve oustanding issues.

A scheduled meeting between PM Tsvangirai and President Mugabe, with their deputies and vice presidents, was put off until next week because Deputy Prime Minister Thokozane Khupe, whose mother passed away last Thursday, was unable to attend.

On Wednesday the Prime Minister met with Finance Minister Tendai Biti, Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa and Information Communication Technology Minister Nelson Chamisa for separate discussions.

Labels: LAND REFORM, MORGAN TSVANGIRAI, NATIONAL UNITY GOVERNMENT