Maravi

(NEWZIMBABWE) US demands GPA progress

COMMENT - BS. The US needs to come clean, admit that they lied (difficult for Hillary Clinton) and remove economic sanctions against Zimbabwe. It is the only decent thing to do. Too many people have been killed by these sanctions already.

US demands GPA progress
by Staff Reporter
28/09/2010 00:00:00

THE UNITED States (US) has demanded "further-progress" as a condition for the removal of sanctions against ZANU-PF leaders as re-engagement talks opened last week between the two countries.

US officials led by Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Johnnie Carson met a Zimbabwe delegation that included Ministers Elton Mangoma (MDC-T) , Patrick Chinamasa (ZANU-PF) and Priscilla Misihairabwe-Mushonga (MDC-M) in Washington last week.

Carson’s latest meeting with the Zimbabwe delegation follows another one he held with President Robert Mugabe last year which saw the Zimbabwean leader describing the diplomat as “an idiot” no-one would want to speak to.

A statement released by the US Embassy in Harare said although the O Obama administration ruled out lifting the sanctions discussions were cordial and both sides agreed on the need to seek opportunities to continue an open dialogue.

“The United States pointed out that the current political and human rights environment in Zimbabwe remained troublesome, pointing to the recent harassment of WOZA and the disruption of constitutional reform meetings in Harare.

“The United States said that Zimbabwe must make further progress for the removal of targeted sanctions. Political progress comes with strong institutions, not strong individuals, and developing strong and transparent institutions will sustain economic growth,” the statement read.

The US said the sanctions were however under regular review but warned that chances of lifting the measures would be undermined by continuing rights abuses and the “intimidation of those participating in the country’s political process”.

“Significant improvements in the political environment, greater respect for human rights and political freedoms will result in change in U.S. posture. “The United States welcomes engagement with the transition government, and we are committed to keeping the door open to further dialogue,” the statement added

The meeting in Washington reviewed the economic and political progress that has occurred over the past 18 months since the formation of the inclusive government.

The US said it “recognised and commended” the economic advances that have occurred in the country but remained concerned that political progress has not been as successful.

Labels: GLOBAL POLITICAL AGREEMENT, JOHNNIE CARSON, NEOCOLONIALISM

posted by MrK @ 12:42 PM