United States Envoy Visits Zimbabwe

Former United States Ambassador to the United Nations Andrew Young meets with President Robert Mugabe of the Republic of Zimbabwe. Young says he wants Washington to normalize relations with Harare., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

US envoy condemns illegal sanctions

Tuesday, 16 April 2013 00:00
Farirai Machivenyika Senior Reporter
Zimbabwe Herald

CONFIDENCE in the MDC-T from its traditional supporters in the West continue to wane after the US State Department dispatched an envoy to Zimbabwe for talks to normalise relations with President Mugabe ahead of elections he is tipped to win.

Former US ambassador to the United Nations Mr Andrew Young today met President Mugabe at his Munhumutapa Offices to convey the message.

“The State Department has asked me to come visit and just to say that we have Zimbabwe in our hearts and that we would like to see relations with Zimbabwe resume as they were pre the problems,” he said.

Mr Young condemned the imposition of illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe by Western countries and urged Zimbabweans to be united in their adversities.

He said this soon after a two-hour meeting with President Mugabe at his Munhumutapa Offices.

“I should say I have never particularly approved of the sanctions personally but I have never been able to get rid of them.

“I think we have an administration now that is ready to move beyond sanctions but we need reassurance that Zimbabwe is as peaceful and as positive a society I think it is,” he said.

Mr Young who is a personal friend to President Mugabe also commended the empowerment drive and the land reform programme saying more support for the new farmers was needed to improve productivity.

“Well from what I know about it, it has been very successful but I know there is not enough seed, enough fertiliser but with help it can increase,” he said.

Mr Young supported President Mugabe and the late Vice President Joshua Nkomo in fighting colonialism and opposed the internal settlement of Ian Smith, Abel Muzorewa and Ndabaningi Sithole.

He played a pivotal role at the Lancaster House negotiations that brought country’s independence.