Harare — PRESIDENT Mugabe has said the inclusive Government does not have the luxury of engaging in unending theoretical discourse, pointing out that the mobilisation of the country's own resources should be considered as key to the successful implementation of the Short-Term Emergency Recovery Programme (STERP).
In his keynote address to officially open the ministerial retreat here yesterday, President Mugabe said the thematic slogan for the inclusive Government should be the implementation of agreed programmes.
"I wish to remind you that our people, be they the many from rustic dwellings, or emergent farmers, or indeed, the suave urban dwellers, share high hopes of progress during the tenure of the inclusive Government, and so we have an onerous responsibility of ensuring that we do not dash their hopes and disappoint them.
"It is, therefore, incumbent upon us to ensure that we emerge from this retreat with a clear, recharged and re-energised, compelling sense of achievement deriving from our design of implementing STERP.
"We dare not indulge in the luxury of engaging in unending theoretical discourse, for our thematic slogan should be resonantly 'Implementation! Implementation! And Implementation Again!'" said the President.
The three-day ministerial retreat, which ends tomorrow, brings together ministers, deputy ministers, permanent secretaries, the private sector, civil society as well as heads of parastatals who are set to come up with a 100-day Action Plan for the implementation of STERP.
The President said the retreat should come up with "clear-cut roles and responsibilities" for all key players in Government.
"The roles and responsibilities should be well-defined, performance-based and time-framed.
"I am also confident that the programme will receive much support, judging by the various stakeholder workshops held recently across the country.
"It is our collective hope that after the 100 days, the country will begin experiencing a firm and determined walk on the road to economic stabilisation and recovery.
Honourable Prime Minister, you have the challenge of carrying this assignment and, indeed, Cabinet will look forward to your implementation of STERP," he said, directly addressing PM Morgan Tsvangirai.
"However, everyone of us should rally behind the programme in order to realise its goals and objectives.
"The country greatly appreciates the offers of much-needed financial assistance that are beginning to flow in, first from within the region and also from beyond. This assistance shall be effectively applied as agreed with our co-operating partners.
"I should, however, hasten to point out that the mobilisation of own resources should be considered as key to the successful implementation of STERP, with outside support being complementary.
"This strategic posture is not only necessary, but also prudent, and far-sighted, more so in the light of the prevailing international financial crisis," said the President.
He said he was confident that the "quiet and serene environment" of the Victoria Falls would provide an ideal venue for the retreat that also seeks to "engender constructive ideas and realistic deliverable targets for the Government".
The President said Article 3.1 (a) of the Global Political Agreement prioritises the pursuance of economic stability and recovery by the inclusive Government.
"I am pleased to note that immediately after its formation, the inclusive Government has got down to serious work by producing the Short-Term Emergency Recovery Programme," said the President, who went on to praise the architects of the programme.
After his address, President Mugabe flew back to Harare while business at the retreat continued.
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It must surely be a slip of Mugabe's tongue referring to his thematic slogan! What Implementation? ..And Implementation Again?
What then did he implement during his 28 yeras of catastrophic tyranical rule?
Implementation of a failed state! Implementation of terrorizing pro-MDC supporters to run abroad! Implementation of assassinations, maiming and rape? Implementation of a police state! Implementation of corrupt practices! Implementation of hyperinflation?
And what other empty slogans next?
Prem to you have anything positive to say about Zimbabwe. You might need to be realisitic and accept the new dispensation in Zimbabwe.
Yes! I have a lot of things positive to say about Zimbabwe.
Zimbos are a courageous determined set of people. Very tolerant indeed. Perhaps too tolerant from a political point of view.
Otherwise, how can one explain how criminal Mugabe can cling to illegitimate power inspite of the "failed" state that he has engineered.
Zimbos values freedom and democracy. It explains why so many run away from the terror unleashed by Mugabe's brutal police.
Zimbos are a sort of non-violent people. Otherwise, how can one explain why Mugabe has not been murdered so far although he actively encouraged assassinations, maiming and rape?
You just remove Mugabe and his cronies from the front seat. You will see how Zimbos will unleash their individual initiatives to propell the country back into the 21st century.
The bad thing about Zimbabwe is that a gang of corrupt people in power is keeping the nation in hostage through the brutal and subtle use of a police state.
That is why I am still on this forum to help raise awareness about the harm these people are causing to innocent Zimbos.
Why can't you join us in denouncing the corrupt behaviour of the gang? Should you denounce assassination attempts on the life of politicians and their supporters? Irrespective of whichever party they belong to?
I would love to see Zimbos enjoying genuine freedom and free elections to choose their leaders and the type of society they wish to support.
Indeed, that's what I try to promote for the whole continent, along with many NGOs who share the same concerns.
We want Africans to live on their continent without having to fear tyrants and their police state.
Prem, how do you know what Zimbabwean's want ? All your talk about Zimbabwe is NEGATIVE . You have never said ONE good thing about the place and yet you KNOW WHAT ZIMBABWEAN'S WHAT ? Well Prem, go back and read these posts - ZIMBABWEAN'S WANT THEIR LAND YOU IDIOT !
Kube, hate to point out the obvious to yo umate, I'm sure I shouldnt have too, but since you've returned to Zimbabwe (thank God!) havent your realised what a complete piece of shit Mugabe has turned it into? What is there positive to say about it? Mugube's just bought a $4million USD mansion for his daughter, to educate her instead of her whole country for 3 years. Made his decision... is this positive?
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