Maravi

(HERALD) Talk of restrictive measures nonsensical

Talk of restrictive measures nonsensical

TODAY, the inclusive Government turns one year and the country is rebuilding its economy after a decade of political impasse and economic sanctions. Three political parties — Zanu-PF, MDC-T and MDC — formed the inclusive Government on February 13 2009 and have since soldiered on, albeit with a few teething problems. Features Editor, Isdore Guvamombe (IG) had a one-on-one interview on a wide range of issues with one of the three principals to the Global Political Agreement, Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara (AM), that include the GPA, economic sanctions, democracy and the Look East Policy.

IG: Deputy PM, you have just returned from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. How was it?

AM: Yes, we just came back from Davos, where all the key leaders in government, civic society, international banking institutions — World Bank, International Monetary Fund — United Nations and so on, participated. It was a very unique experience. We want Zimbabwe to participate in the crafting of world policies and solutions. We want to define what Africa is; we want to address climate change; global buy-in and buy-out and ownership, in a holistic manner.

IG: Was that your first time at the World Economic Forum?

AM: No, no, no! This was actually my third time at the World Economic Forum. There was a lot of interest in our Government, and the way we are running things here. Slowly, but surely we are having respect and understanding on our situation.

There has been skepticism and suspicion. There has been doubt, and at times there has been a wait-and-see attitude, but we have come up with a national project that is irreversible. We, however, need to do more to build investor confidence and business compliance and we need to do more to ensure continuity.

IG: While you were at Davos, the other principal to the GPA, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai told the international media that sanctions or as he calls them, restrictive measures should be removed in parts.

AM: No, no, no! Let us get it right. There are no restrictive measures, they are sanctions. This country is under full sanctions and these sanctions must go, not today or tomorrow but yesterday. The talk of restrictive measures is nonsensical. Let us stop that nonsense. There are no restrictive measures. These are sanctions. All Zimbabweans must openly speak with one voice that our country is under sanctions.

Anyway back to Davos, we explained how we came together to create this inclusive Government, where our next step is giving our civil servants living wages so that they have enough disposable incomes.

IG: But sanctions remain a real issue of the GPA?

AM: Yes, because when you target a President of a country, you are in effect, saying the country is not safe. You are discouraging investors to come to the country. We are now working like one team, and the sanctions against individuals are nonsensical.

They do not make sense. The sanctions erode our ability to access loans, our access to finances. In short, all the sanctions must go.

Yes, we have challenges in the GPA but we are having a new dispensation and we are saying help us help ourselves. We will not despair.

IG: And, what about British Foreign Secretary David Milliband’s comments that his Government will take a cue from MDC-T on the way forward on sanctions?

AM: My position has been very clear from the beginning. It is not a new position. Let us encourage these foreigners to do the right things. These do-nothing-good friends! Milliband is undermining our inclusive Government. I am very disappointed by the way such foreign leaders are naïve, stupid and undermining us. The sanctions are now central to the dialogue of the GPA. Without the removal of the sanctions we cannot talk about servicing our debt. How can Milliband say that? With friends like Milliband, who needs enemies?

IG: What about the motion moved in Parliament by Zanu-PF Mwenezi MP Kudakwashe Bhasikiti on (the) removal of sanctions?

AM: I understand the spirit of the motion. To me, there is nothing new because that motion articulates my position and my party’s position. I have already called for the removal of the sanctions. We must say now without equivocation or ambiguity that the sanctions must go.

IG: You are on record as having received applause in Cabinet, when you said that President Mugabe made an excellent decision when he undertook the Look East Policy?

AM: Well, I am bound by the rules of Cabinet and I cannot disclose deliberations of that August house. But thank you for having a source in Cabinet, whoever that is. Yes, for the Look East, there was the vision, insight and creativity.

It was insightful and correct. Zimbabweans must show maturity by giving respect where it is due. President Mugabe is a founding father of this nation, who was part of the liberation struggle. He has generational results, which you cannot take way.

You cannot take away 1980, which he brought to Zimbabwe and 1980 will be celebrated 500 years from now. These are generational results so is 1776 in America and 1876 in France. You cannot take away President Mugabe’s education policies. I am a product of his education policy.

The decision to look to China was noble, insightful and correct, but is not as simple as that. We must perfect the art of benefiting from China. By 2015 China will have overtaken America as the biggest economy. By 2040 China will control and own 40 percent of the world Gross Domestic Product and America will control and own only 14 percent. China will have US$85 000 per capita and the Chinese rich in Goungzhou will live three times better than the American rich in Los Angeles.

China is the future, America will be dwarfed. America will be a junior partner in global economics. If you don’t have a future with China you are doomed.

We are in a unique position to partner China, the future number one economy in the world. We must do all we can to patronise China. We want investors to come in from America, Britain, and all over but China is the way. In any arrangement it is important for China to be given more attention.

America owes China billions and if the Chinese withdraw assistance, America will collapse. In Davos, Americans worshipped China. You should see how Obama and Brown ran like little kids when Chinese vice premier Dr Lee was presenting. The centre is shifting. When Obama went to China recently he refused to meet the Dalai Lama. He did not want to upset the master. But are the Chinese democratic?

IG: What do you think about Chinese governance?

AM: I am a defender of democracy myself but the West’s view on democracy is simplistic. The Chinese are still communists and are not models of democracy as defined by the West, but they are very successful. Singapore is not (a) role model democracy by Western standards, and so is Malaysia but look at their economies? When you are successful no one thinks about your democracy or lack of it? China has the economic muscle and will receive no lecture from Europe, Brown, Obama or anyone.

It does not mean that democracy, good governance and a new constitution brings economic prosperity to a country. It does not mean that seek the kingdom of democracy and economic prosperity will follow. In terms of economic dynamics, seek the kingdom of prosperity and democracy will follow. We need to re-look at democracy.

There is no prediction that by 2040 the Chinese will have turned democratic. In fact they still have a lot to do in terms of democracy. It does not follow that when you have democracy you have passed, it is more complicated than that. At times democracy, human rights etc are not necessary.

IG: What does this mean for Zimbabwe?

AM: We are not trying to promote autocracy or dictatorship but a new constitution does not bring food on the table. The assumption that democracy, human rights and a new constitution bring prosperity is wrong. Yes we love human rights, yes we love democracy but they are not everything. We must learn from the Chinese.

They are using their best brains, their professors, their technocrats and their economists to run their country. They are allowing their best to run the country.

This is not political. It is about the country. We must service our debts with China like we did recently with their Zisco debt. We are lucky to have a relationship with them, starting from the liberation struggle that has continued since then, but we must improve the relationship and enter into strategic partnerships in marketing, extraction, manufacturing and value addition.

Let us change the way we deal with the Chinese to retain their confidence.

IG: Many people want to know what is happening in the inclusive Government and the talks. Can you give an insight?

AM: We are moving in the right direction. On balance things are going on very well. There are problems here and there but these problems are growing pains, but they are not insurmountable. The big issues are under control.

The national healing organ and the commissions are now done with, what is left is (the) swearing in. National healing and national rebranding are all going well. The future is very sound.

IG: Ordinary Zimbabweans think the principals are no longer interested in the talks. What is happening?

AM: No. In fact, on Friday there was a meeting of the Top Six, that is the President and his two deputies and the Prime Minister and his two deputies and the meetings went well.

IG: What did you discuss?

AM: Again I am not allowed to discuss in the public domain but we were very clear about what we want. We must move from economic stability to economic growth. The wages we are paying civil servants are not reasonable. We must pay living wages. All these activities are the mandate of the inclusive Government. We must free the media.

We must make politics attractive.

In Zimbabwe the best brains are there, they exist but some of them are not significant because they do not participate in national governance. We have the big brains elsewhere and mediocrity in politics. Let us have our big brains in running the country.

In the inclusive government, we have more successes than problems. We are on our way to the Promised Land!

isadore.guvamombe *** zimpapers.co.zw

Labels: ARTHUR MUTAMBARA, INTERVIEW, ISIDORE GUVAMOMBE, SANCTIONS, ZDERA

posted by MrK @ 8:10 PM