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(NEWZIMBABWE) Germany threatens to cut aid over farm sizure

Germany threatens to cut aid over farm sizure
by Staff Reporter
02/07/2010 00:00:00

GERMANY’S government says it will cut off aid to Zimbabwe unless illegal and violent occupiers leave a farm owned by a German national in the eastern part of the country.

In a Friday protest note to the Zimbabwe foreign ministry, Germany noted the occupation of the property owned by German investor Heinrich von Pezold violated a decade-old investment agreement between the two countries.

Germany said the farm seizure and looting of the property could imperil aid. Last year, Germany gave $50 million to the southern African country.

The Germany embassy in Harare expressed concern over the seizure of the property last month and warned foreign affairs minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi the development could undermine relations between the two countries.

"The German embassy notes with great concern that property rights of German nationals and their investments in Zimbabwe are being put under threat, in clear violation of international law," the embassy said in a letter to Mumbengegwi.

The embassy said news of the farm seizure would make German parliamentary approval of any aid to the country “highly unlikely”.
The Zimbabwean authorities were urged to "take the necessary steps to ensure an immediate end of all threats to the ... German investments," it added.

Over the last decade most farms owned by whites in Zimbabwe have been seized for resettlement by the government under its controversial land reforms.

Under the programme the Zimbabwe government pledged to compensate affected farmers for “improvements on the land” but no restitution has been paid due to the lack of funds.

The farm seizures have reportedly continued even after the coalition government came into office.

Labels: LAND REFORM

posted by MrK @ 5:18 PM