BuaNews (Tshwane)
Bathandwa Mbola
13 February 2009
Pretoria — The issue of Zimbabwe, in particular the lifting of sanctions imposed by the European Union on that country, emerged in discussions between Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and the Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ivaylo Kalfin on Friday.
Minister Dlamini Zuma hosted Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Kalfin for bilateral political, economic and trade discussions at the Presidential Guesthouse in Pretoria. Mr Kalfin arrived in South Africa on Thursday for a three day official visit to the country.
The visit is within the context of South Africa's priority to consolidate bilateral political, economic and trade relations with the European Union of which Bulgaria is a new member, with a view to strengthening North-South co-operation.
" ....As you know, the European Union works collectively. We did suggest it would be good if Minister Kalfin could assist us in the discussions in the European Union but he can obviously not take a decision here as a single member because there are 27 member states," said Minister Dlamini Zuma.
South Africa which is also the Chairperson of the SADC has been urging foreign investors, multilateral agencies and international donors to acknowledge the positive developments taking place in Zimbabwe and help rebuild that country.
Mr Kalfin said the international community had expected the creation of a government reflective of the Zimbabwean people.
"I think that what we have now is the best possible option - an inclusive government and this government should receive very clear signals that if it proceeds in the right direction, economic reforms and democratic processes in the country, international support will be encouraged.
"I absolutely agree with Minister Dlamini Zuma and I think that the European Union has good reason to react positively. It is very important and we are going to pay very close attention to the developments in the country," said Mr Kalfin.
The deputy minister further noted former President Thabo Mbeki's efforts in this regard.
Zimbabwe has been slapped with sanctions, including mostly travel and restrictions to finances. The International Monetary Fund's withdrawal of support in Zimbabwe was seen as a cue for other multilateral financial institutions to freeze credit lines to Zimbabwe.
The global lender suspended Zimbabwe's voting rights in 2003, barring it from participating in IMF decisions, as the country fell behind on paying its arrears to the fund.
While the country averted expulsion from the IMF, the fund has maintained its suspension of financial and technical assistance.
This, together with other illegal sanctions, inevitably resulted in the economic situation deteriorating.
The African Development Bank and the World Bank have already expressed interest in assisting Zimbabwe and have said, in a joint statement, that the broad-based agreement represented a potential opportunity for the country.
Zimbabwe's new cabinet, under the new government of unity, was on Friday sworn into Parliament in Harare. Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara were earlier sworn in as Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister respectively, while Robert Mugabe will keep his Presidential title.
The two ministers also discussed the economic crisis. According to Mr Kalfin this was important "to meet with different countries especially South Africa so that we can have a common ground for common actions to address the crisis."
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When a bus hits a tree and is a total loss with many passengers injured due to a drunk driver one would expect the driver would be taken in custody. South Africa however is trying to collect funds to fix the bus so the drunkdriver can go ahead.
rmk..excellent analogy there...totally paints the picture...let's hope the bozos on here will comprehend the implications!! Somehow I rather doubt it...I am going to take a break from this forum for a bit now...trying to educate idiots is a thankless task and I'm getting severe migraines!!!
Thanks turnex. I would like to see your opinions though now and than. So please don't give up. Educating lunatics is not the only thing on this forum. It's also about ideas and sometimes a good laugh.
Turnex ,please dont give up on your mission.Southern Africa is about to see the grim reality of Mugabe and Mbeki's legacy!Decent folk in Africa will not accept this as the future.These guilty cretins are desperate ,Zimbabwe economy is stuffed,fear, blind hatred,unemployment, hardships,displacement of whole communities,starvation and cholera is going to sweep through Zimbabwe's neighbours lands and waters ,misery will be the only reward for doing nothing.There are no corners on this planet,we cannot hide and if these people want to piss on it, then look out!!
buddha,ha,ha,ha - what mission? You rhodies have lost, we have won - now pull your head in and go back under that rock you came from! We don't need you!
What have you won Kubby?...Tell me... please. I've lost nothing, but you and your pin-up boy Mugga are about to get thrown out of the game. I believe it's more of a sin when you get caught dealing from the bottom of the deck.Come on Turnex educate this man...come on..... just one more time ,please
Fantastic Turnex! and take Independent, texASS bobo, kjrs and the rest of your cronie rhodies with you. Now that an agreement has been made Zimbabwe does not need your negative views. It's all POSITIVE, POSITIVE, POSITIVE from now on.
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Before Zuma pleads in favour of lifting illusionay sanctions, He should order freezing all bank accounts in SA belonging to Mugabe and cronies - these very people on whom are hanging sanctions to prevent them from overseas trips!
SA is proving to be the main obstacle for cleansing Zimbabwe of these undesirable corrupt people who have turned the country into a "failed state".
Before calling for the lifting of sanctions, Zuma must work towards helping 4 million exiled Zimbos in SA to return safely and be reintegarted into whatever jobs they were in.
Will he have the guts to do… [Read Full Text]