(HERALD) ‘We’ll not spare a penny for Zim’
‘We’ll not spare a penny for Zim’Herald Reporter
OUTGOING United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr James McGee says Washington will not give a penny to Harare because it has its own economic problems.
He said Washington was unable to provide aid because it faced its own financial problems, adding that the illegal sanctions imposed by his country on Zimbabwe would remain.
In an interview after paying a courtesy call on Vice President Joice Mujuru at her Munhumutapa Offices in Harare yesterday, Mr McGee said US citizens desperately needed help and were against giving Zimbabwe financial aid.
Asked whether the US was capable of assisting Zimbabwe considering its current economic woes, he said: "We have millions who have lost their jobs. It is serious (the recession).
"People say why should we give one penny to Zimbabwe or Sudan? We should take care of our people at home. They desperately need assistance.
"Sanctions are in place. They will remain in place. People know what has to be done (for them to be removed)."
But Mr McGee described his meeting with VP Mujuru as "good".
"It was good," he said. "It was my first time to meet her in person. It is important that we open dialogue and continue to dialogue. All parties should talk to each other."
The outgoing ambassador was silent on his achievements since his appointment here in 2007.
"I still have three weeks left," was all he could say.
He said he hoped to "score one or two" goals before flying back home.
During his meeting with VP Mujuru, Mr McGee was said to have acknowledged progress made by the inclusive Government so far in resolving outstanding issues under the Global Political Agreement.
Government has started the constitution-making process while it is in the process of appointing commissioners to the Zimbabwe Media Commission, Anti Corruption Commission, Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission, among other reforms.
"Indications from him were that there is potential for further improvements on our relations," a source close to the meeting.
He acknowledged there was progress in resolving "outstanding issues."
VP Mujuru called on the US to lift the sanctions and to acknowledge the existence of the inclusive Government.
Ambassador McGee replaced Mr Christopher Dell as ambassador to Zimbabwe in July 2007, following his appointment by the George W Bush administration.
Like his predecessor, Mr McGee worked towards achieving an illegal regime change in Zimbabwe.
In his testimony before the Committee on Foreign Relations in the US Senate in September 2007, Mr McGee claimed there was a deep reservoir of democratic knowledge, capacity, and desire in Zimbabwe that needed continued support to challenge the Government.
He said the US would use all tools at its disposal to "achieve the results we seek".
The ambassador boasted that the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act and illegal sanctions had increased pressure on the Zanu-PF Government.
During his two-year stay in Zimbabwe, Mr McGee was on a spirited campaign to demonise the Government ahead of the June 27 presidential run-off.
He has been US ambassador in the Comoros, Madagascar and Swaziland.
Labels: AMBASSADOR, JAMES MCGEE, JOICE MUJURU
posted by MrK @ 7:43 PM
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