Herald House, the headquarters of one of Zimbabwe's state newspapers in Harare. It was reported that over one million adults read the paper, one of the leading state newspaper in Africa., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.
Zim says no to EU, US observers
Tuesday, 05 March 2013 00:08
Felex Share Herald Reporter
GOVERNMENT has invited observers for the constitutional referendum from Sadc, Comesa, the African Union and other friendly countries, but will not entertain those from the European Union and the United States.
Foreign Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi said in an interview after meeting Swedish International Development Co-operation Minister Gunilla Carlsson in Harare yesterday that observers from friendly countries would also be invited for the harmonised elections.
He said EU and US observers would not be allowed to monitor electoral processes in Zimbabwe as long as illegal sanctions they imposed on the country were in place.
Zimbabwe is set to hold the referendum next Saturday.
“One cannot observe anything in a country that they are hostile to. The level of hostility is measured by the relationship those countries have with Zimbabwe and clearly those countries that have imposed sanctions on us will not be here.
“To be an observer, you have to be objective and once you impose sanctions on one party, your objectivity goes up in smoke. If you are not objective, you are not entitled to observe elections anywhere and that is the situation with those Western countries.”
Minister Mumbengegwi said countries that never invited Zimbabwe to observe their elections would not be welcome.
“I do not see why they need to be invited when they have never invited us to monitor theirs (elections),” he said.
“Of course Sadc, Comesa and the AU will be here and also those countries that are friendly to us. Those coming already know and as for the elections we will only invite them once we have an exact date.”
On his meeting with Ms Carlsson, Minister Mumbengegwi said Zimbabweans were against the idea of the EU suspending the sanctions, but wanted them to be removed unconditionally.
The EU, which met last month to review sanctions on Zimbabwe, said it would suspend most of them after a credible referendum.
“We have taken a position that sanctions should go without any condition and the idea of suspending sanctions is not acceptable to the people of Zimbabwe,” he said.
“We have done nothing wrong and this is an issue where we differ. They are talking of suspension and I do not even know what suspended sanctions look like.”
Minister Mumbengegwi said they would continue engaging Western countries to have the sanctions lifted.
“It is good that we are talking and we hope that when she goes back she will talk with her colleagues and see if we can not resolve and normalise our situation amicably so that we can be able to move forward,” he said.
Political violence, Minister Mumbengegwi said, would not be tolerated before and after the referendum and the elections.
“I took an opportunity to brief her about developments in our country leading to the conclusion of the constitution making process, the pending referendum and forthcoming general elections,” he said.
“I emphasised to the minister that we have taken a clear and uncompromising position that there will be zero tolerance to violence as we move towards, during and after the plebiscite.”
Ms Carlsson said the elections should be free and fair.
“I was last here in 2009 when Sweden was still leading the EU and now I have come ahead of the referendum and also before the elections which we hope would be credible,” she said.
“They should be free and fair because it has been a long journey for the Government of National Unity in terms of taking Zimbabwe forward.
“I told the minister (Mumbengegwi) our expectations and our willingness to continue cooperating with them for peace, stability, democracy and human rights.”
Ms Carlsson said the EU was willing to adjust the “restrictive measures” depending on what would be happening in Zimbabwe.
“That has been done over the years, with the referendum coming up it will be again time to look at them (sanctions),” Ms Carlsson said.
“The last time we adjusted them was last month and if all goes well what you call sanctions could be suspended after the referendum. But this has to be discussed by 27 different member states.
“Sometimes you know in politics it takes time but it is our hope there will be a sense of mutual understanding and recognition.”
Ms Carlsson met Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai at Charter House later in the day.
Speaking after the meeting, she said her country wanted to observe the referendum and the elections.
“We would be happy to take part in such a process and see that international standards are met,” she said. “For them to be met, the elections have to be monitored by people with experience to do this kind of work.
“We have supported the constitution making process and we have to play a part in the elections. We would be happy if we are invited, but it is up to Zimbabwe to decide because they know the kind of assistance they need.”
Ms Carlsson said the Zimbabwean economy had recovered tremendously since the formation of the inclusive Government.
“The country has also recorded developments in the education sector and other areas though some reforms are still to be done.”
Ms Carlsson arrived in the country on Sunday and was expected to leave yesterday afternoon.
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