Maravi

(HERALD) EU accepts Zim envoy

EU accepts Zim envoy
By Tinashe Farawo

The European Union will not interfere with Pre-sident Mugabe’s redeployment of ambassadors because the matter is internal, the recently appointed EU Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Aldo Dell’Ariccia, has said. In an interview last week, Mr Dell’Ariccia said the posting of diplomats should be left to individual sovereign states.

“This is a reflection of internal matters, which must be dealt with internally,” said Mr Dell’ Ariccia shortly after making his contribution on the sanctions on Zimbabwe debate organised by a local NGO.

In his contribution, Mr Dell’Ariccia said the EU would continue engaging Zimbabwe because it was strategic to the bloc’s economic interests.

Early last month, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai wrote letters to the UN, EU and South Africa demanding the expulsion of some recently redeployed diplomats in those countries.

South Africa did not respond to PM Tsvangi-rai’s letter.

MDC secretary-general Professor Welshman Ncube yesterday said problems could not be solved by writing letters to foreigners or addressing rallies.

“Yes, there are problems but they cannot be solved in the media or by writing letters to foreigners but through negotiations,” he said.

Prof Ncube distanced his party from the letters written to EU and SA.

“We do not subscribe to those letters written to various international bodies and governments because we believe in dialogue,” he said.

A fortnight ago, the United Nations dismissed the MDC-T leader’s plea for the world body not to recognise the deployment of Ambassador Chitsa-ka Chipaziwa as Zimbabwe’s Permanent Represe-ntative to the UN in New York.

UN deputy spokesperson Mr Farham Haq brushed aside PM Tsvangirai’s letter, arguing Ambassador Chipaziwa was properly accredited.

“The appointment of an ambassador is an internal matter for a member state which is to be decided upon in accordance with the provisions of its own domestic law.

“Ambassador Chipaziwa was properly accredited as Permanent Representative of the Republic of Zimbabwe to the United Nations Headquarters in New York on 28 June 2010.

“We will be bound by the letter of his accreditation until advised otherwise by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” he said.

Mr Dell’Ariccia’s statement last week put to rest the debate on whether diplomats redeployed by President Mugabe should be accepted by those countries or not.

Speaking after Tuesday’s debate, political analyst Dr Tafataona Mahoso said it was shocking that the PM (Tsvangirai) still thought outsiders could solve the country’s internal problems.

“I find it quite offensive when the PM still thinks that our erstwhile enemies are our saviours, yet they have proved beyond any reasonable doubt that they don’t wish us well,” he said.

PM Tsvangirai also came under fire from his partners in the inclusive Government for trying to rope in foreigners in Zimbabwe’s internal affairs.

President Mugabe last month said PM Tsvangi-rai’s letters to the UN and other countries on the issue of ambassadors were mere politicking and “absolutely nonsensical,” pointing out that all due processes had been followed.

The President in May reassigned several serving diplomats in line with the Constitution.

Labels: ALDO DELL'ARICCIA, AMBASSADOR, EU, MDC, ROBERT MUGABE

posted by MrK @ 5:13 PM