Washington, D.C. — The United States on Tuesday announced the release of more food aid for Zimbabwe along with strong criticism of President Robert Mugabe's government.
The United States is offering 47,000 metric tons of additional food aid for 500,000 Zimbabweans through the U.S. Agency for International Development.
"The United States deplores actions taken by the Mugabe regime that have further eroded human and economic liberty in Zimbabwe," White House Press Secretary Tony Snow said in a statement announcing the aid.
Snow criticized the Zimbabwean government's recent price freeze. "Its irresponsible economic policies will only worsen inflation, unemployment, growing food shortages, and poverty," Snow said. Zimbabwe's inflation rate is estimated to be over 4,000 percent.
In the statement, Snow reaffirmed Washington's support for change in Zimbabwe. "Many brave Zimbabweans from all spectrums of society are fighting to secure freedom and a better life, and we stand ready to engage a new Zimbabwean Government committed to democracy, human rights, sound economic policy, and the rule of law," he said.
Snow also questioned President Mugabe's commitment to the Southern African Development Community's mediation process led by South African President Thabo Mbeki.
