Harare — OUR Washington DC Correspondent, OBI EGBUNA, caught up with the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry WALTER MZEMBI during the latter's recent visit to the United States as part of a Zimbabwe Government delegation. In the interview below, the Minister discusses his impressions of President Obama and the need for the lifting of the illegal economic sanctions on Zimbabwe.

Honourable Minister, I want to begin by saying my belated makorokoto on your appointment as Zimbabwe's Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry. You are the only Government representative from the Zanu-PF party in this delegation and as such we felt that it was important that we share your views on this historic trip and its implications for the people of Zimbabwe. In your opinion, does the US government have the genuine desire to establish full and normal relations with Zimbabwe?

I want to begin by thanking you for congratulating me for the appointment to this Ministry. While this is not my first ministerial post, it will be my most challenging because of the significance of the Global Political Agreement. The areas of Government controlled by Zanu-PF will be scrutinised by those who want to see the inclusive Government fail and ultimately collapse.

I felt it was necessary to share that with those who will read our interview. I now will answer your question. In my opinion, the Obama administration's reaction to engagement with the inclusive Government has begun with doubt and skepticism.

It is important that they understand the very establishment of the Global Political Agreement makes their criticism of President Mugabe and Zanu-PF totally invalid.

They now, for the first time since the inclusive Government was officially formed, have to look at the sanctions very carefully in terms of how they adversely affect the branches of Government controlled by the Prime Minister and his formation of the MDC.

The decision by President Obama to extend ZDERA (the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act of 2001) was an obvious lack of good will, especially since the inclusive Government is not only an illustration of Zimbabwe's commitment to resolving its political differences, but also emblematic of the diplomatic sophistication of Sadc and the African Union.

The inclusive Government of Zimbabwe came to Washington to establish and maintain direct engagement with the US Government, beginning with exploring more avenues for humanitarian aid and most importantly the process of removing sanctions.

We understand this is a process but we will not be deterred.

The activities of Senator Russell Feingold, who chairs the US Subcommittee on African Affairs, and Senator John Kerry, who chairs the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, must be monitored carefully by all three political parties who make up the inclusive Government.

We feel the need to stress that the issue of humanitarian aid to Zimbabwe does not divert attention away from letting both the Obama and Brown administrations understand the removal of sanctions is the main point of engagement for all of us.

Minister Mzembi, what political statement do you think President Obama was attempting to make by insisting that you not be invited to the White House with the rest of the delegation? I also would like to commend you for the exemplary diplomacy you demonstrated after discovering that this decision had been made.

Thank you, brother for the compliment. Due to the diplomatic sensitivity of this issue and both the Governmental and party training I have received in Zimbabwe, I would never even consider making any comments that would disgrace my President, country or people. I believe while President Obama's decision not to invite me to the White House was an attempt to undermine the value of President Mugabe and Zanu-PF, President Obama's behaviour exposed he has no respect for the Global Political Agreement, Sadc or the AU.

The gesture was rather odd because it was not in accordance with US governmental political protocol because I was received by Secretary Of State Clinton and held brief talks with her.

That conversation clears you to be received by the President of the United States.

This matter was deferred to Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai as the head of our delegation and it helps our entire delegation prepare to anticipate how to handle any other hostile acts of diplomacy from any other Head of State in the countries we will be visiting as part of this tour.

I believe this is why President Obama made the decision not to allow the Press who attended his photo op and meeting with Prime Minister Tsvangirai not to ask questions.

I was told the State Department protocol person had informed the media they could ask at least one question before President Obama changed his mind.

Minister Mzembi, what impact will the lifting of the US State Department's travel alert which instructed US citizens that non-essential travel to Zimbabwe be deferred directly have on your Ministry in particular and the country as a whole?

I think the outcome of Secretary of State Clinton's decision is at best an act of pragmatism by an experienced politician who knows her way around the White House and US Senate.

It is a strategic move specifically aimed at facilitating the re-entry of US corporations, who would like to position themselves in order to ensure they secure their business interests in Zimbabwe.

Because Zimbabwe is the safest country in Southern Africa, the language that was displayed on the US State Department travel alert was baseless and simply revealed the Bush administrations obsession with isolating Zimbabwe in order to successfully achieve their goal of illegal regime change.

A crucial point to highlight is, in spite of the political and economic challenges Zimbabwe has faced due to sanctions, the country maintained its natural beauty both in rural and urban areas.

I feel when our former colonial master attacks our leader, country and people, due to the political course we have chosen since Independence. That is expected.

What we don't expect is for our citizens to participate in attacking their own country hoping to be rewarded with what they consider a more comfortable existence abroad.

I welcome the offer by the oldest African American travel agency Henderson Travel Services in assisting my Ministry in helping our sisters and brothers in the US find their way back home to Zimbabwe.

Minister Mzembi, do you feel at some point President Obama should engage President Mugabe and Zanu-PF on the question of sanctions and the inclusive Government?

On the question of Zimbabwe, President Obama must listen to the African voice and not let this voice be drowned by the sentiments and opinions of his Vice President Biden and Secretary Of State Clinton who were co-sponsors of ZDERA in the first place.

If President Obama had more direct correspondence with former South African President Thabo Mbeki, who did a masterful job of mediating the discussions with Zimbabwe's three main political parties, we are confident he would understand the importance of having face to face discussions with President Mugabe.

How can President Obama successfully change the face of US Foreign Policy if his diplomatic posture reflects the old guard of leadership whose motto was to seek and destroy?

Dialogue with President Mugabe would certainly increase his understanding of not only Zimbabwe but Africa as a whole.

The first thing he would learn is when President Bush imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe, he was suggesting to the world that Zimbabwe, under the rule of President Mugabe, is equivalent to Rhodesia under Ian Smith and South Africa under Pik Botha.

Because of his role in determining the outcome of our nation, President Mugabe would provide President Obama with a first hand account of Zimbabwe's rich history.

A history that no NGO, human rights group or trusted member of his cabinet are equipped or qualified to give to him.

Until President Obama engages the highest office in the land of Zimbabwe, just because he is not ideologically compatible with President Mugabe, he indirectly makes the statement to the world his self-professed partnership with Prime Minister Tsvangirai is to bring about a regime change in Zimbabwe just like his predecessor George W Bush.

It appears that President Obama needs to become adjusted to hearing Prime Minister Tsvangirai calling for the lifting of sanctions against Zimbabwe.

Minister Mzembi, you have been extremely generous with your time and I wish you and the delegation a safe and productive trip.

Thank you. I would like to add, lastly, we are aiming at a reversal in fortunes in Zimbabwe and how our engagement with the West helps us overcome the hurdles sanctions have presented from their inception.