Maravi

(HERALD) Zim, UK in frank talks

Zim, UK in frank talks
Herald Reporter

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Foreign Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi held separate meetings with British Junior Foreign Minister Mr Mark Malloch-Brown in Pretoria on the sidelines of the swearing-in of South African President Jacob Zuma on Saturday.

In a statement, the Zimbabwean Embassy in South Africa said ministers Mumbengegwi and Malloch-Brown welcomed the political engagement between their countries following a long stand-off.

According to the statement, the two ministers had a frank exchange of views on the relations between Harare and London.

Minister Mumbengegwi briefed Mr Malloch-Brown on the developments in Zimbabwe since the Sadc meeting of March 29, 2007 in Tanzania, which resolved to mediate between Zanu-PF and MDC and called for the lifting of the illegal sanctions imposed on the country by the West.

The developments included amendments to the Constitution, the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, Public Order and Security Act and the Broadcasting Services Act.

Minister Mumbengegwi also briefed Mr Malloch-Brown on last year’s parliamentary elections, which produced no outright winner in the House of Assembly.

The electoral outcome brought about the talks between Zanu-PF and the two MDC formations, which culminated in the power-sharing agreement last September and the formation of the inclusive Government in February this year.

Minister Mumbengegwi told the British minister that the inclusive Government was working well and the three parties were determined to make it succeed.

The inclusive Government’s present focus was reviving the economy, but Minister Mumbengegwi said this would be difficult with sanctions in place.

"In light of these developments, the minister argued, there was no justification for continued sanctions against Zimbabwe.

"The minister urged the British to show political will and commitment to Zimbabwe’s economic recovery by removing the sanctions. The two ministers then committed themselves to continue dialogue in an effort to normalise relations between Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom," the statement said.

Yesterday, Minister Mumbengegwi told Zimbabwean journalists that Mr Malloch-Brown had indicated that a team of British officials would soon fly to Harare to find ways of continuing the dialogue.

He said he told the British minister that there was no basis to continue arguing that Zimbabwe had draconian laws when all parties represented in Parliament had unanimously amended the laws in question.

Press reports in South Africa quoted Mr Malloch-Brown as saying his separate talks with PM Tsvangirai and Minister Mumbengegwi had been frank and fruitful and pledged to maintain close dialogue with the fledgling Government in Harare.

"My exchanges with both ministers were open and productive," Mr Malloch-Brown said in a statement.

These were the first such talks between a British government minister and PM Tsvangirai.

"I welcomed areas of progress made by the inclusive Government to date and assured both Mr Tsvangirai and Mr Mumbengegwi of the UK’s continued willingness to help the Zimbabwean people to rebuild their country.

"However, I also underlined the need for further reform. Progress is needed in these and other areas before the UK and the international community as a whole can engage more fully. In the meantime, the UK remains fully committed to helping Zimbabwe with its most pressing humanitarian and essential needs.

"Prime Minister Tsvangirai, Minister Mumbengegwi and I agreed that our respective governments would continue to maintain close dialogue as Zimbabwe works through this challenging transitional period."

Finance Minister Tendai Biti recently held talks with Mr Malloch-Brown and British Foreign Secretary Mr David Miliband in London.

Labels: SANCTIONS

posted by MrK @ 7:26 PM