BuaNews (Tshwane)
Vivian Warby
18 June 2009
Cape Town — International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane has called on world leaders to open lines of credit to Zimbabwe and put an end to sanctions on that country.
"We must allow the people of Zimbabwe to take control of their lives and give peace a chance," she said at a media briefing on Thursday, ahead of the tabling of her Budget Vote in Parliament.
The minister said she had been impressed at the recent World Economic Forum by Zimbabwe's leaders, both Zanu-PF and MDC, who said they were committed to rebuilding Zimbabwe.
"They publicly and openly said they will be working toward the success of Zimbabwe and we will work with them for the realisation of this objective," the minister said.
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai visited the United States (US) earlier this year to enlist that country's support and "we show commitment to them in this situation," the minister said.
"We are acutely aware of Zimbabwe's problems. They did not happen overnight and they cannot be solved overnight.
"We encourage the international communities to come to the party to work with Zimbabwe," Minister Nkoana-Mashabane said.
She said the US's recent stance on Zimbabwe was "a good start". "Initially they wanted nothing to do with Zimbabwe in the past. Now they are considering the pleas of the Zimbabwean Prime Minister. It is encouraging and positive.
"We will be in the US soon where we will meet with Hilary Clinton in Washington and we will reiterate the message of Mr Tsvangirai," she said, adding that Zimbabwe was a work in progress and all its problems could not be solved overnight.
The minister added that South Africa was committed to regional integration, both politically and economically, of the South African Development Community (SADC).
She said the future lay in strengthening these blocs to build greater goals for the future.
The minister further called on the European Union to also work closely with SADC to integrate the economies of the region.
"We are aware that our strength will be in our integration rather than our disintegration. We understand the challenges of our neigbours ... but believe that our future, both politically and economically lie in our integration," the minister said.
She said the Medium Term Expenditure Framework would look at the consolidation of the Africa agenda. "Charity begins at home - that is SADC and the continent".
The country, she said, would continue to work with the African Union to find peace and stability on the continent.
She noted the importance of South-South co-operation with Asia and the Middle East, adding that future growth lay in these countries.
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Why should the west open credit lines to thieves? Why should the west open credit lines to leaders who do not respect democratic principals? Why should the west open credit lines to murderers and bullies?
There can be no guarantee with Mugabe and Gono in place that any line of credit will go to the places it is requried and not into the back pockets of these fraudsters.
Plain and simple.
Clean up the mess and home first, and then the money will flow. Otherwise they're just wasting their time.
Awt;
You seem to miss the point. The main issue, the main thrust of the Minister's speech was the removal of sanctions which you deny exist. Everybody else, including those on your side like Phiri have accepted what we have always been saying that there are sanctions on the people of Zimbabwe but you still want to hide behind your finger. WHY? The answer lies in who you are and who you work for - CIA.
Sanctions are not on a few individuals and companies but on the people of Zimbabwe and this is what the minister was talking about. She is concerned about the integration of the SADC region which is not possible as long as sanctions are in place.
MDC people who campaigned for the sanctions, the likes of Biti and Tsvangirai, are acknowledging the existence of sanctions on Zimbabwe but you, the killer of the Maori people, how long are you going to remain in denial - denying the undeniable?
Takunya, Mr "The CIA invented homosexuality" - no one takes you seriously. Why do you waste your time?
AWT looks like Mr "The CIA invented homosexualiity and HIV" is getting paid in US$ for talking GARBAGE!!! Havent u heard Mugga rant on about the BLITISH NOT BRITISH!! and those and no 10!!!
EXCAVATION OF THE DEBRIS IN RED, RED, RED COMRADE AWT-INDEPENDENT'S MORBID MIND
"Cholera was purposely introduced by Mugabe and ZANUpoofs. And Mugabe is a token of ALL AFRICAN leaders. Africans will always need the steady hand of the Euorpean prejudice of democracy, otherwise the Dark Continent will get even darker, and I cant agree more."
What an idiot: the DONKEY OF ZIMBABWE.
DickinSon,
Once again you make up a fictatious quote that is something I clearly would not have said. (I wont even bother to ask you for the link to this)
Readers here know this, and you've just gone and made yourself look more like an idiot that you aready are. Readers know this also.
Your attempts to discredit me are simply failing miserably. Pathetic really.
Jellyboobs the idiot.
"Total Empowerment!"
THE SAGACITY OF PUNY, RED, RED, COMRADE AWT-INDEPENDENT.
"I am the man of the hour on this site; accordingly, I have a reputation to protect. Dickison is trying to discredit me by correctly quoting statements that I have made. I have learned my lesson: the next time I cant agree more that I have to be very careful about the things I say on site and off site. Dickison has me on the run: this dude, who appears to be an American, keeps me awake at night. He is so nimble."
It appears that the DONKEY OF ZIMBABWE imagines he has a 'reputation' to protect.
The disgrace, the black sheep of Zimbabwe has a reputation?
WHAT THE ...! God save Zimbabwe from the DONKEY OF ZIMBABWE!
See all comments (13).
I knew this lady was a performer, very mature, balanced, non partisan and focussed. You can feel South Africa's foreign policy on Africa well pegged for the advancement of African people. She enunciates the essence of regional integration rather than disintegration. I appreciate the echoes revebarating from Zansi.
Yes, the world must put an end to illegal sanctions.