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(NEWZIMBABWE) MDC resists pressure on sanctions

MDC resists pressure on sanctions
by
27/01/2010 00:00:00

PRIME Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), put on the spot by the British government over western sanctions on Zimbabwe, resisted Zanu PF calls to call for the end of the embargo on Wednesday.

Britain’s Foreign Minister David Miliband told parliament on Tuesday that his country will only lift sanctions against Zimbabwe on the advice of Tsvangirai's MDC party.

"In respect of sanctions,” Miliband said, “we have made it clear that they can be lifted only in a calibrated way, as progress is made. I do not think that it is right to say that the choice is between lifting all sanctions and lifting none at all.

"We have to calibrate our response to the progress on the ground, and, above all, to be guided by what the MDC says to us about the conditions under which it is working and leading the country.”

The comments were seized upon by Zanu PF officials who have long accused Tsvangirai’s party of campaigning for the imposition of sanctions since 2002.

Under a September 15 power sharing agreement, all three of Zimbabwe’s main parties agreed to call for the lifting of the sanctions.

In its first response to Miliband’s comments, the MDC issued a brief and rather confusing statement. The press brief avoided the word “sanctions”.

The statement, sent out under the title ‘MDC’s position on measures’, said: “While we enjoy the goodwill and integrity of the majority of Zimbabweans and indeed the international community, we are not responsible and accountable for Zanu PF’s failed policies and repression of the past which led to the country’s circumstances.

“As a partner in the inclusive government we are committed to remedying those failed policies and bring real change to the people of Zimbabwe.

“In our quest to rejoin the family of nations we expect to be assessed on the progress that is made on the implementation of the Global Political Agreement (GPA).”

MDC officials are said to be privately furious at Miliband’s comments which they fear has given Zanu PF a defence shield to stall political reforms which it would justify by saying the MDC has the power to get sanctions lifted, but is reluctant to do so.

Labels: DAVID MILIBRAND, MDC, SANCTIONS, ZDERA

posted by MrK @ 4:18 AM