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HARARE – A group of British
law makers is expected in Zimbabwe next week, in the clearest sign yet of
thawing relations between London and its former colony. The group, from the UK
Parliament’s International Development Committee (IDC), will spend four days in
Zimbabwe during which they will tour various humanitarian projects funded by
British taxpayers through the Department for International Development (DFID). DFID head in Zimbabwe Dave
Fish said the visit by the parliamentarians will help ensure continued support
for the humanitarian projects in Zimbabwe. “The UK government is
committed to helping the poorest and most vulnerable people in Zimbabwe,” said
Fish. “Progress on halting the
spread of HIV/AIDS, caring for orphans, widows and disabled as well as access
to safe water supply and agriculture inputs are vital for Zimbabwe’s recovery.
The parliamentary visit will ensure that our support continues to deliver
life-changing results for those most in need of help.” It was not immediately
clear whether the UK parliamentarians plan to hold talks with President Robert
Mugabe or any other leaders or officials of Zimbabwe’s unity government that
came into office last February and has promised to restore relations with
Western nations. While the visit is
officially being touted as a parliamentary mission to inspect UK-funded aid
projects, it is likely to be viewed in political circles as indication that
London could be toying with the idea of renewing contact with Mugabe, who still
controls Zimbabwe despite agreeing to cede some of his powers under the
power-sharing agreement with Tsvangirai. Relations between Britain
and Zimbabwe soured after London and its Western allies imposed visa and
financial sanctions on Mugabe and his top lieutenants as punishment for
violating human rights, stealing elections and failure to uphold the rule of
law. Mugabe denies the charges
and instead accuses Britain of reneging on promises to fund land reform in
Zimbabwe and charges that London and its Western allies have funded his
opponents in a bid to oust him from power as punishment for seizing white land
for redistribution to blacks. – ZimOnline |