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Trip to US, Europe was very successful – Tsvangirai

Trip to US, Europe was very successful – Tsvangirai
Written by Chibaula Silwamba in Paris, France
Sunday, June 28, 2009 4:44:14 PM

ZIMBABWEAN Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has said his trip to the United States and Europe to seek financial assistance was very successful.

And Prime Minister Tsvangirai said only two SADC countries - South Africa and Botswana - have contributed financial aid to Zimbabwe since the regional bloc's heads of state and government summit in Swaziland where the regional countries pledged their financial assistance.

Addressing journalists during a briefing on Thursday at centre d'Analyse de la Press 'Entrangere after holding meetings with various senior French government officials at the end of his three-week trip to Western countries lobbying for financial support to rebuild Zimbabwe, Prime Minister Tsvangirai said he was happy with the trip and its outcome.

"I think it is important to note that this trip was very successful; it represented a re-opening of minds on the situation in Zimbabwe. People noted the progress that the inclusive government is making. Of course there are still shortcomings in fulfilling all the conditions of the Global Political Agreement. We were able to have frank and constructive discussions," Prime Minister Tsvangirai said.

"We go home very proud that we were able to meet all the leaders and that there is a different perception created by this trip. This is the end of a three weeks tour, quite exhausting tour of the United States and Europe."

He said when he and his entourage left Zimbabwe, they were very clear about the objectives of their mission to the United States and Europe and after the trip everyone in the two continents knew the situation obtaining in Zimbabwe.

On the monies pledged by Western donors, Prime Minister Tsvangirai responded: "There is no amount yet; we have identified areas of support."

Prime Minister Tsvangirai said it was difficult to describe his relationship with Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe.

"It's very difficult to describe personal relationships. The truth of the matter is that we were involved in a very confrontational, heated and protracted negotiation for a long time. We then agreed," Prime Minister Tsvangirai said.

"Yes, we disagree from time to time but it's a work relationship, it's a business like relationship. We differ on matters of principle, we differ on matters of strategy or tactic but at the end we both agree that there are no problems which are beyond our abilities to resolve."



Prime Minister Tsvangirai also observed that from the time of independence, President Mugabe was a hero to Zimbabwe but in the past years the Zimbabwean leader "has now turned into something else."

"So, perhaps, the appropriate person to answer why he is holding on to power is him, not me. He is the one to answer why he is holding on to power at the age of 85 and still want to be in power," Prime Minister Tsvangirai said.

"For me in spite our rivalry, we have come to terms with the new situation, a new political dispensation where he and me are working together for the good of the country."

He said his wife, Susan, would not have allowed him to quit politics following her death in a car crash.

"As regards that accident that killed my wife, it was an accident, investigations have also confirmed. I think a lot of speculations have been driven by previous accidents where politicians died in unexplained circumstances, but in this case I can confirm that it was an accident because I saw what happened. Unfortunately that accident killed my wife; it could have taken me too," Prime Minister Tsvangirai said.

"Regarding to abandon politics, far from it, I don't think my wife would have allowed me to stop or get out of politics. The outpouring of grief actually made us to continue until a democratic Zimbabwe is achieved."

Asked on the number of Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries that had fulfilled their pledges during the SADC heads of state and government summit in Swaziland in February 2009 to contribute funds towards the US $10 billion [about K55 trillion] required to rebuild Zimbabwe, Prime Minister Tsvangirai said only South Africa and Botswana had given support to Zimbabwe.

"I can confirm that there are only two countries that followed up their commitment - South Africa and Botswana. South Africa has given R300 million for balance of payments support and more could be negotiated with South African banks, but that is a private sector arrangement. Botswana has given US $70 million as line of credit," said Prime Minister Tsvangirai.

"I am sure that others have the wish but they don't have the capacity. I am hoping that all will put their demonstration of good faith in assisting the inclusive government."

SADC has 14 member countries.

Labels: MORGAN TSVANGIRAI

posted by MrK @ 3:44 PM