MDC-T must act on sanctions now: Zanu PF
Ralph Mutema
Sat, 23 Jan 2010 00:17:00 +0000
THE Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) must immediately ask the West to lift sanctions against Zimbabwe as they have taken part in the formulation of those sanctions in the first, Zanu PF national chairman Simon Khaya-Moyo has said in the wake of revelations by Britain that the lifting of sanctions is dependent on the MDC-T.
On Tuesday during a Question and Answer session in the House of Commons, British Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary David Miliband said that Britain was waiting for MDC-T to ask for the sanctions to be removed.
Miliband also revealed that
some of the sanctions in place are controlled by PM Tsvangirai's MDC-T party.
MDC-T leaders have in recent months tried to wriggle out of the Global Political Agreement obligation of lobbying for an end to Western sanctions by claiming that they hold no sway over the European Union and the US position on the embargo.
Speaking in Harare yesterday, Khaya-Moyo said, "Britain has let the cat out of the bag on the issue of sanctions. They have admitted that the MDC called for the sanctions and it can only remove them on the request of the MDC.
"Thus Tsvangirai should go and ask for the removal of those sanctions. The declared and undeclared sanctions are affecting the country because we are not getting lines of credit and companies are being forced to close."
Newsnet quoted MDC-T spokesperson Nelson Chamisa as saying sanctions were "an outstanding GPA issue". The spokesman has previously denied that sanctions were an outstanding issue saying the MDC-T party did not have a hand in the sanctions formulation process.
A founding member of the MDC, Gabriel Chaibva said last year that the MDC was the brainchild of the so-called Zimbabwe Democracy Recovery Act (ZIDERA) legislation which imposes sanctions on Zimbabwe.
“I was there when Zidera was crafted in Nyanga by the MDC. At that point Munyaradzi Gwisai stood up in protest and told everyone present that the MDC had been taken over by the U.S. and Europe and business was no longer controlled from Harvest House…,” said Chaibva in September last year.
The MDC-T secretary for international relations Professor Eliphas Mukonoweshuro tried to dismiss Miliband’s statement saying it was just an "insinuation" and did not indicate that they had any influence over Britain or the EU’s decisions.
Miliband categorically stated that they were waiting for instructions from the MDC-T party regarding the removal of sanctions.
"In respect of sanctions, (that) is something that we will discuss. We have ... to be guided by what the MDC says to us about the conditions under which it is working and leading the country," Miliband told the House of Commons in response to a question posed by Henry Bellingham, the Conservative MP for North-West Norfolk.
Miliband also revealed that some sanctions are controlled by the MDC-T party of PM Tsvangirai, but he was not in a position to inform the House which ones were controlled by that party.
"A range of EU sanctions is in place. Different sanctions have been brought in at different points, and different sanctions are the responsibility of different ministries in the Zimbabwean system.
"Some are controlled by the MDC. I would be happy to give ... a more detailed answer, but I think that it might detain the House beyond the time available for the question."
In the GPA the MDC-T party agreed to call for the lifting of the illegal sanctions and campaign for the closure of pirate radio stations illegally beaming into Zimbabwe.
MDC-T party ministers still offer interviews to these pirate stations despite having agreed to campaign for their closure or licensing.
Labels: DAVID MILIBRAND, HOUSE OF COMMONS, SANCTIONS, ZANU-PF, ZDERA
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Zanu PF pounces on Miliband remarks
23/01/2010 00:00:00
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Unguarded ... David Miliband
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ZANU PF has demanded that the MDC calls for the removal of sanctions, seizing on tactless remarks made by British foreign secretary David Miliband that the UK government would be guided by advice from Prime Minister Tsvangirai’s party on the issue.
Simon Khaya Moyo, who took over as Zanu PF national chairman in December, said the MDC could no longer claim it had no influence over the issue and “must” now call for the removal of the sanctions.
NewZimbabwe.com reported on Wednesday that Miliband had told the British House of Commons that the sanctions would only be lifted on recommendation of the MDC.
“In respect of sanctions, 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,” Miliband said in response to a question by one parliamentarian.
Now Khaya Moyo has moved in for the kill.
"Britain has let the cat out of the bag on the issue of sanctions. They have admitted that the MDC called for the sanctions and it can only remove them on the request of the MDC.
"Thus Tsvangirai should go and ask for the removal of those sanctions. The declared and undeclared sanctions are affecting the country because we are not getting lines of credit and companies are being forced to close," the former Zimbabwe ambassador to South Africa said in Harare yesterday.
Zanu PF has always insisted that the sanctions were imposed at the instigation of the MDC and is demanding that the part calls for their removal.
On the other hand Prime Minister Tsvangirai’s party has all along denied any involvement, but Miliband’s unguarded remarks will now make that position difficult to sustain.
The party’s foreign affairs spokesperson, Professor Eliphas Mukonoweshuro tried to limit the damage.
"We (the MDC) don’t formulate foreign policy on any country’s behalf . . . We are saying that they should judge us by the progress that we have made so far in the commitments we have undertaken (in the GPA).
Labels: DAVID MILIBRAND, HOUSE OF COMMONS, SANCTIONS, ZDERA
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Zanu PF pounces on Miliband remarks
by
23/01/2010 00:00:00
ZANU PF has demanded that the MDC calls for the removal of sanctions, seizing on tactless remarks made by British foreign secretary David Miliband that the UK government would be guided by advice from Prime Minister Tsvangirai’s party on the issue.
Simon Khaya Moyo, who took over as Zanu PF national chairman in December, said the MDC could no longer claim it had no influence over the issue and “must” now call for the removal of the sanctions. NewZimbabwe.com reported on Wednesday that Miliband had told the British House of Commons that the sanctions would only be lifted on recommendation of the MDC.
“In respect of sanctions, 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,” Miliband said in response to a question by one parliamentarian.
Now Khaya Moyo has moved in for the kill.
"Britain has let the cat out of the bag on the issue of sanctions. They have admitted that the MDC called for the sanctions and it can only remove them on the request of the MDC.
"Thus Tsvangirai should go and ask for the removal of those sanctions. The declared and undeclared sanctions are affecting the country because we are not getting lines of credit and companies are being forced to close," the former Zimbabwe ambassador to South Africa said in Harare yesterday.
Zanu PF has always insisted that the sanctions were imposed at the instigation of the MDC and is demanding that the part calls for their removal.
On the other hand Prime Minister Tsvangirai’s party has all along denied any involvement, but Miliband’s unguarded remarks will now make that position difficult to sustain.
The party’s foreign affairs spokesperson, Professor Eliphas Mukonoweshuro tried to limit the damage.
"We (the MDC) don’t formulate foreign policy on any country’s behalf . . . We are saying that they should judge us by the progress that we have made so far in the commitments we have undertaken (in the GPA).
"We can’t instruct them on what to do as regards their foreign policy on Zimbabwe," he said.
Labels: DAVID MILIBRAND, ELIPHAS MUKONOWESHURO, HOUSE OF COMMONS, MDC, SANCTIONS, SIMON KHAYA MOYO, ZANU-PF, ZDERA
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British MPs condemn Malawi gay arrests
By Nyasa Times
Published: January 22, 2010
Twenty-nine British MPs have signed a House of Commons Early Day Motion (EDM 564), which condemns Malawi’s arrest and current trial of two men, Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga, who are accused of a homosexual relationship.
The pair who returns in court on January 25, face up to 14 years in jail if convicted but they have already suffered abuse, humiliation and violence while being held on remand in Chichiri Prison.
The EDM, tabled by Liberal Democrat MP, John Hemming, also urges the dropping of all charges and the decriminalisation of homosexuality in Malawi.
The motion read: “This House notes the same-sex engagement ceremony in late December 2009 of Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga; calls upon the President of Malawi to ensure that they are released from jail and that all charges against them for homosexual relations are dropped; calls upon the Government of Malawi to decriminalise homosexuality in accordance with the equality and non-discrimination clauses of the Malawian constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and to ensure the human rights of all its citizens, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.”
Peter Tatchell of the London-based gay human rights group OutRage! who has been working with Malawian friends to support the men on trial and to oppose their prosecution helped organise the EDM in the British Parliament.
He said: “The men’s prosecution and the ban on homosexuality violate the equality and non-discrimination provisions of the Constitution of Malawi and of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which Malawi has signed and pledged to uphold.”
Tatchell said the EDM will be communicated to the Malawian High Commissioner in London, Dr Francis Moto.
“It will hopefully add to pressure for the acquittal of Steven and Tiwonge and for the eventual decriminalisation of homosexuality by the Government of Malawi,” Mr Tatchell added.
“We hope this parliamentary motion will send a strong signal from the House of Commons to the Malawian government that the criminalisation of consenting same-sex relations is a violation of human rights. Malawi’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens have a right to privacy, equality, respect and dignity, under the country’s constitution and under international humanitarian law.
“Malawi is a sovereign nation and we respect its independence. But we hope that its government will recognise that this trial and the criminalisation of homosexuality are contrary to the human rights principles that Malawi has embraced since its transition from dictatorship to democracy.”
Labels: HOMOSEXUALITY, HOUSE OF COMMONS, MALAWI, MPs, PETER TATCHELL
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Miliband on Zimbabwe: Arrogance or ignorance?
Thu, 21 Jan 2010 17:50:00 +0000
DEAR EDITOR - I read on your website a recent statement by British Foreign Secretary David Miliband regarding lifting of sanctions against Zimbabwe by Britain and the European Union. It was unfortunate that a man of his supposed stature could demonstrate such arrogance or ignorance, or both.
Miliband denied that sanctions were hurting the people of Zimbabwe. I wonder what planet the British Foreign Secretary has been living for the past 5-10 years. I wonder if he ever reads the news or cares to find out about the struggle of the black person on the African continent.
Sanctions are responsible for thousands of deaths in the country and countries in the region have said time and again that they should be lifted as they are neither helpful nor effective in altering the policy of the government of Zimbabwe.
They are hurting everyone in the country including the weak and vulnerable.
Zimbabwe went through a protracted Liberation War that is about to be trivialised by the likes of Miliband who have never been to Zimbabwe, nor bothered to read in depth, the history of the country.
Miliband also said: "Some of them (sanctions) refer to individuals, others to so-called parastatal organisations."
"Different sanctions have been brought in at different points, and different sanctions are the responsibility of different ministries in the Zimbabwean system. Some are controlled by the MDC."
These are very disturbing statements exposing the Foreign Secretary's sheer arrogance or ignorance.
We do not know how sanctions imposed by Britain and the EU can be "the responsibility of different ministries in the Zimbabwean system."
We do not know what he means by "so-called parastatals".
It is also troubling to hear also that "Some (of the sanctions) are controlled by the MDC".
Maybe the British Foreign Secretary would care to explain to the thousands of Zimbabweans living in poverty what he means by these statements, and whether he wishes to see a few whites own former ancestral lands of the black population.
PM Tsvangirai could help him in that process as he "controls some of the sanctions".
*Peter Chimutsa writes from the United States of America. He can be reached via peterchimutsa@yahoo.com
Labels: DAVID MILIBRAND, HOUSE OF COMMONS, SANCTIONS, ZDERA
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COMMENT - Please
read the extentive comments section at the bottom of this article (click on 'view all'). The article is no longer linked to on the NewZimbabwe front page.
Sanctions lifted on MDC Advice: Miliband
by Gilbert Nyambabvu
21/01/2010 00:00:00
BRITISH foreign secretary David Miliband says a decision on whether to lift sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe will be guided by advice from Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s MDC party.
Speaking in the House of Commons of Tuesday Miliband said the UK government welcomed the recent agreement by the principals of the inclusive government to establish key commissions and would continue to press for progress in the implementation of the Global Political Agreement.
Asked by North-West Norfolk member of parliament, Henry Bellingahm whether he agreed that sanctions should not be lifted until the arrest of Roy Bennet and concerns about human rights were addressed Miliband said the UK would be guided by advice from the MDC.
“I agree that numerous aspects of the situation in Zimbabwe are of deep concern. It is right to say that, over the past year, the economic situation has changed in a quite fundamental way, although it is not quite right to refer to the detention of Roy Bennett as a continued threat to him through a legal case.
“In respect of sanctions, 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,” Miliband said.
The sanctions remain one of the major issues still dividing the country’s inclusive government with President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu PF accusing the MDC of not doing enough to have them lifted.
The MDC has always maintained it has no influence over the issue insisting removal of the sanctions is a matter for the European Union and the respective European governments.
However the party has recently indicated it would campaign for the removal of sanctions targeted at state-owned companies saying these were undermining the country’s economic recovery.
Meanwhile, Miliband said the sanctions had helped send a “strong message”.
“A range of EU sanctions is in place. Some of them refer to individuals, others to so-called parastatal organisations. Different sanctions have been brought in at different points, and different sanctions are the responsibility of different ministries in the Zimbabwean system.
“I believe that EU sanctions have helped to send a strong message, and that they have had a practical effect without hurting the Zimbabwean people, which would have been a sanction too far,” he said.
The British foreign secretary also defended the role of SADC facilitator, South Africa President Jacob Zuma after some parliamentarians suggested he was leaning on the MDC to compromise in the on-going dialogue with Zanu PF.
“President Zuma is playing a careful hand, and he is playing it rather skilfully. The position of the South Africans has certainly been to urge adherence to the global political agreement, which requires compromise on all sides, and I do not think that they have been less than even-handed in the way in which they have done that,” Miliband said.
Labels: DAVID MILIBRAND, HOUSE OF COMMONS, MDC, MDC CORRUPTION, SANCTIONS, ZDERA
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Some sanctions are controlled by MDC-T, says Britain
Philip Murombedzi
Thu, 21 Jan 2010 04:42:00 +0000
THE United Kingdom Foreign Secretary David Miliband says the lifting of illegal sanctions against Zimbabwe will be guided by a call from the Movement for Democratic Change to that effect. He added that there are a range of sanctions imposed by the EU, some of them "controlled" by the MDC-T party.
This is the first time a high level British official has tacitly acknowledged that there are SANCTIONS against Zimbabwe and not "restrictive measures" as argued by the former opposition MDC-T party of Morgan Tsvangirai.
The MDC-T for the past decade actively campaigned for illegal sanctions to be imposed against Zimbabwe.
"In respect of sanctions, (that) is something that we will discuss... We have ... to be guided by what the MDC says to us about the conditions under which it is working and leading the country," Miliband told the House of Commons in response to a question posed by Henry Bellingham, the Conservative MP for North-West Norfolk.
Miliband added that there will not be a wholesale removal of sanctions, but will be "calibrated" according to "progress on the ground" as determined by the MDC-T party.
The MDC-T has not heeded calls from Zanu PF to campaign for the lifting of sanctions as agreed in the September 2008 Global Political Agreement arguing that they did not have a hand in their imposition.
Miliband, however, revealed that some sanctions are controlled by the MDC-T party of PM Tsvangirai, but he was not in a position to inform the House which ones were controlled by that party.
The MDC-T party says there are no sanctions against Zimbabwe, but "restrictive measures" against Zanu PF officials.
"A range of EU sanctions is in place. Different sanctions have been brought in at different points, and different sanctions are the responsibility of different ministries in the Zimbabwean system.
"Some are controlled by the MDC. I would be happy to give ... a more detailed answer, but I think that it might detain the House beyond the time available for the question."
In response to a question by Kate Hoey, the Labour MP for Vauxhall and the Chair of the Parliamentary Sub-Committee on Zimbabwe regarding the latest statement by President Jacob Zuma criticising PM Tsvangirai of stalling talks, Milliband said "President Zuma is playing a careful hand".
Zuma is "playing it rather skilfully" said Miliband.
"The Prime Minister (Gordon Brown) was able to discuss Zimbabwe, among other things, with him at the Commonwealth conference in November," added Miliband.
"President Zuma will be making a state visit to the UK in early March, and I have had discussions with my South African opposite number.
"The position of the South Africans has certainly been to urge adherence to the Global Political Agreement, which requires compromise on all sides, and I do not think that they have been less than even-handed in the way in which they have done that."
Sir Malcolm Rifkind, the Conservative MP for Kensington and Chelsea called for the lifting of the ruinous sanctions saying the EU must respect the inclusive Government of Zimbabwe.
"Is it not worth remembering that even Nelson Mandela entered into a coalition with the white South African National party, and that Solidarity in Poland entered into a coalition with the communists?" asked Sir Rifkind.
"They all recognised that change has to be gradual if it is to have any chance of producing peaceful stability."
READER OPINIONS
Smiler Mucaradi • n/a
Subject: n/a
Thu, 21 Jan 2010 05:30:53 • “, to be guided by what the MDC says to us about the conditions under which it is working and leading the country.”
Milliband reiterating Tony Blair’s statement in Parliament a few years ago that his government (then ) was working with the MDC for regime cahnge in Zimbabwe.
So Mugabe is really paranoid to complain that the MDC is a protege of the British government!
Is it not strange that ; the so-called human rights issue in the Marange diamonds is support for illegal diamond panners, instead of allowing the government to facilitate proper mining operations in Marange.
There is no such thing as ’so-called parastatals’. These are genuine agencies properly constituted by the laws of the land… Railways, CSC, GMB.
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Madzimbabwewezaka • n/a
Subject: n/a
Thu, 21 Jan 2010 05:29:22 • MDC puppets should call for the removal of sanctions
British puppets, MDC, who shout democracy during the day and practice self enrichment schemes (corruption) during the night should come out in the open and call for the removal of the sanctions they actively campaigned for.
We Zimbabweans we are tired of being fed lies and if MDC doesn’t call its imperialist masters to remove the sanctions, it will regret it come the next elections.
Time has come for all patriotic sons to call the MDC to account for its actions in the destruction of the Zimbabwean economy. Through their whining and cry baby antics, MDC called for the imposition of sanctions which have had as much as an impact on the suffering of Zimbabweans as much as Zanu pf’s ruinous economic policies.
Granted MDC is guilty of the same sins it accuses Zanu-PF of. Miliband’s admission that there is a range of sanctions in place is a slap in the face to MDC’s Gorden Moyo, Biti, Tsvangirai and the rest of them who have been denying that there are no sanctions on Zimbabwe.
Labels: DAVID MILIBRAND, HOUSE OF COMMONS, MDC, SANCTIONS, ZDERA
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