Published by the government of Zimbabwe
22 April 2009
Harare — United States Ambassador James D. McGee and his British counterpart, Dr Andrew Pocock, leave Zimbabwe in two months' time after presiding over the most strenuous period in relations between Harare and the two Western powers.
The first secretary for political and communications at the British Embassy, Mr Keith Scott, confirmed that Dr Pocock would leave Harare at the end of June.
"Dr Pocock, the British Ambassador, is leaving Harare on June 30 at the end of his tour.
"He will be transferring to another diplomatic service appointment," he said.
Dr Pocock has been ambassador to Zimbabwe since February 2006.
Public affairs officer at the US Embassy in Harare Mr Tim Gerhardson said his office would only make a comment on Mr McGee in June.
However, diplomatic sources said Mr McGee would be leaving the country in July.
"He has been bidding his colleagues farewell but official functions would be held in May and June," a source said.
Another diplomat said the transfer was expected especially for Mr McGee following the change of administration in Washington.
"There has been a major shift in the US following the formation of the inclusive Government and election defeat of the Republicans by the Democrats," the source said.
"What we are experiencing is a major policy shift by the new administration which is avoiding confrontation with other states and would rather engage them."
Washington recently announced the lifting of travel warnings to Zimbabwe and Cuba in a major policy shift from the previous Republican administration.
US Secretary of State Mrs Hillary Clinton also sent a congratulatory message to Zimbabwe on the occasion of the 29th anniversary of Independence.
Mrs Clinton also commended efforts undertaken by the inclusive Government towards reforms.
The sources said while the US Embassy would not want to say anything about Mr McGee's imminent departure, plans for several farewell parties were at an advanced stage.
"Things would start moving in May and you should expect Mr McGee to make an address at Africa University where he might give a parting shot to President Mugabe or Zanu-PF."
The sources said Mr McGee's departure would also mark his retirement from diplomatic service.
Mr McGee arrived in Zimbabwe in November 2007 after vowing, in his speech before the US Senate, to take a cue from his predecessor Christopher Dell and continue pursuing the illegal regime change agenda.
The US ambassador is also blamed for the hardline stance maintained by the US even after the political settlement between Zanu-PF and the two MDC formations and the subsequent formation of the inclusive Government.
However, President Barack Obama has insisted that his government would rather engage countries than taking a confrontational approach in diplomatic matters.
"With this approach by President Obama, diplomatic missions like the ones led by Mr McGee have become unnecessary hence the re-assignment," a diplomatic source said.
While bilateral relations between Zimbabwe and Britain remain tense, Dr Pocock who replaced Dr Rodrick Pullen who left in a huff, has kept a low profile since arriving in Zimbabwe in 2007.
However, Britain constantly dabbled in Zimbabwean politics during Pocock's term.
Relations between Harare and London soured in November 1997 after the latter's refusal to meet the costs of land reforms in Zimbabwe as per the Lancaster House Agreement of 1979.
Britain later tried to internationalise the purely bilateral dispute and mobilised the European Union and the United States to impose economic sanctions on Zimbabwe as part of the quest for regime change.
The sanctions have since been condemned by progressives the world over.
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