Harare — THE Netherlands government yesterday turned down Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's request for the lifting of economic sanctions and a financial package, saying they wanted to see "more reforms".
PM Tsvangirai was in the Netherlands on the first leg of a six-nation tour that will take him to the United States, France, Britain, Sweden and Belgium on a brief from President Mugabe and Cabinet to call for the lifting of economic sanctions.
Radio Netherlands reported that PM Tsvangirai met his Dutch counterpart Mr Jan Balkenende yesterday but came out empty-handed as The Dutch Premier, who acknowledged the inclusive Government's commitment to reforms, asked for political, economic and social reforms before his country can release any assistance.
Asked whether going back home empty-handed would not cause tension within the inclusive Government, PM Tsvangirai said the purpose of his visit was to educate "our partners" on political developments in Zimbabwe.
"The objective is to educate, educate, and educate our partners. It's not about going around with the begging bowl, because we believe that the country has been isolated the last 10 years and it is time to normalise relations and that doesn't come cheap. It has to be reciprocal. We have to do something which we said we are going to do."
Government has, however, already instituted a number of reforms by launching the Short-Term Emergency Recovery Programme and embarking on a constitution-making process.
Parliament is also in the process of recruiting persons to serve on four independent commissions, namely the Zimbabwe Media Commission, Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission and the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission.
Radio Netherlands said PM Balkenende told journalists after meeting PM Tsvangirai that financial aid to Zimbabwe would not resume until the new Government demonstrated "progress" on economic, political and social reforms.
"We are convinced that if they go in the right direction, then it will be much easier for us to support Zimbabwe," Radio Netherlands quoted PM Balkenende as saying.
He, however, acknowledged that the inclusive Government had demonstrated commitment "to improve things".
On Sunday, PM Tsvangirai met Dutch Development Co-operation Minister Mr Bert Koenders and assured him that the problems the country was facing were not "insoluble".
From Netherlands, PM Tsvangirai's next stop is Washington, DC, where he is expected to meet US President Barack Obama.
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Morgan went to Holland because he was invited to come and discuss the situation face to face. The Dutch, French, German, English and American governments wished to meet him personally to tell him that he can depend on their money once Mugabe starts acting as if he's the president of a country instead of pretending that he's a Mafia Don. If Mugabe begins to respect terms of the GNU agreement that he signed, then the money will flow.
Democratic governments don't want to speak to Mugabe, because he doesn't have discussions with people. He just shouts out his demands and then leaves in a huff. He's not interested in hearing opposing viewpoints. There's also the fact that he's not allowed to travel until he changes his behavior towards everyone else.
Mugabe is just a selfish, stubborn old crow who's never going to change his ways before he dies; then things will rapidly start to improve for the rest of the country.
Hei "DL"....GOOD ONE ! Maybe, Morgan had to Holland on invitation to discuss & explain the situation face to face. Most of all, HOW TO KEEP THE DONATIONS SAFE from Mugabe's reach !! Yeah--U could be right about the Dutch, French, German, English and American governments wished to meet him personally to tell him that he can depend on their money once Mugabe starts acting as if he's the president of a country instead of pretending that he's a Mafia Don. If Mugabe begins to respect terms of the GNU agreement that he signed, then the money will flow....BUT, SLOWLY (just incase!)
U ARE RIGHT too that Democratic governments don't want to speak to Mugabe, because he doesn't have discussions with people. He just shouts out his demands & then he curse them ! He has become from a real respected 'Warrior' into a racist.....I always thought he was a smart & learned man & he will build Zimbabwe into a MORE Prosperous country; but instead, he let his heart rule his brains--thus, ruining his country to the worst level !!! Yes ! How can a 'smart man' be interested in hearing opposing viewpoints ? He even get rid of his own people ! There's also the fact that he's not allowed to travel until he changes his behavior towards everyone else.... Yes 'DL' U are right--!Mugabe is just a selfish, stubborn old crow who's never going to change his ways before he dies.....What is needed now is a 'Miracle' for a sudden CHANGE ! Then things will rapidly start to improve for the rest of the country...... It's sad to see the innocent citizens suffering so much !! GOD BLESS U ALL.....
Yes "teremutyambizi" U HAVE SUGGESTED WISE IDEA !!! I thought so about this too....Where WELFARE OF THE PEOPLE ARE CONCERN... A focused humanatarian channel (NGO/ORG) is required to see to this !!! YES--That way at least the people in poverty will benefit !!! The idea is...that NO MONIES can get into the hands of the Crookeds! We have seen enough of violences; killings+murders; kidnappings & threats all these while....... Why must people (Donors) hard-earned monies go up there to fatten all those Crooks who have really destroyed the Country & her People!
ddlegend65....i can see u love to talk about 'humanitarian aid' to the people of zim...The ex finance minister trevor manuel said, the west is failing to address the zim issue properly when they resort to humanitarian aid to the same people they are strangling...why won't you just lift the economic sanctions so that u won't have to spend so much money on humanitarian aid since those people will get jobs to take care of themselves &that money mearnt for humanitarian aid be channeled towards employment creation and economic turnaround efforts...This western noise about humanitarian aid is just propaganda to divert attention from the illegal embargo that's doing untold damage to the economy..be warned, that 'humanitarian aid' rhetoric is fast getting discredited..Any way ddlegend65 which western country do u come from that has heartless people like u??
blah blah blah...more lies and irrational thinking...
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