(TALKZIMBABWE) Merkel wants return of 'expropriated' land

COMMENT - Can you say NAMIBIA? The German government doesn't even want to pay compensation to the local people for the genocide committed against them by German corporations. But they want to prevent land reform in Zimbabwe, because it could lead to land reform in Namibia, where social inequality is among the highest in the world, mainly because of the apartheid style land distribution. They don't seem to consider the fact that turfing off 314,000 people of the land in Zimbabwe will lead to civil war. Which will threaten national security.

Merkel wants return of 'expropriated' land
Mutsawashe Makuvise
Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:06:00 +0000

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and German Chancellor Angela Merkel (R) inspect the honour guard during an official welcoming ceremony in the Chancellery in Berlin, June 15, 2009. REUTERS/Thomas Peter

GERMAN Chancellor Angela Merkel who met on Monday with Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said economic aid for Zimbabwe would depend on the pace of reforms and on the progress regarding the return of "expropriated" land.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Tsvangirai after talks at the chancellor's office, Merkel praised him as a "courageous man" who stands as "a symbol of democratisation".

"We wish the prime minister's government luck and we will seek to help it, in the future, whenever possible," she said adding that German assistance was dependent on land reform programmes

She said there was need to amend the Zimbabwean constitution and "allow for the return of land expropriated under President Robert Mugabe."

Merkel also spoke of humanitarian aid, but made no direct pledges.

German development minister Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul, who later met Tsvangirai, announced that Germany would give the World Bank 20 million euros (27 million dollars) to help Zimbabwe, along with five million euros to buy seed and fertiliser for small-time Zimbabwean farmers.

Speaking at the press conference, Tsvangirai said the inclusive Government was making progress in dealing with the country's problems.

"Zimbabwe is changing and is changing for the better," said the PM adding that Zimbabwe urgently needs credit to revive its economy.

"We have already made a number of strides forward. I ask that that be noted," he said, pointing to the re-opening of schools and hospitals and some success in reining in inflation.

"We need bridge loans now to rebuild our economy," he added.