Economic and political sanctions slapped on Zimbabwe by some
Western countries should be lifted immediately because they are
hurting the ordinary people and not serving any purpose, a European
diplomat has said.
Sweden's newly appointed Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Sten Rylander,
was quoted by the Sunday News as saying that the world
would not benefit from isolating Zimbabwe.
"Ultimately, the targeted sanctions (imposed on Zimbabwe) must
be eventually removed . . . What I am saying is Zimbabwe should
come to a normal situation . . . I feel Zimbabwe and the
international community have reached a stage where both sides
realize the impasse cannot go on for a long time. There is need for
change, need for building of bridges as the State President (Robert
Mugabe) alluded to in previous statements," he said.
"This is a topical issue both in the international and national
community and the only question that remains is who should start
the building of the bridge and at which end. When one side starts,
what should the other do in reciprocation? These discussions are
coming in and we are taking them seriously," he said.
Rylander said Zimbabwe should do something to demonstrate that
it was serious about the building of bridges, claiming that there
has not been much in terms of concrete action on the ground ever
since President Mugabe talked about it.
Rylander added that the Zimbabwean government should do what
would improve the situation of the people of Zimbabwe.
"The Zimbabwe government should adopt progressive policies
because they are good for the people of Zimbabwe, not to please us
or anyone else," he said.
"The European Union is not against the land reform nor is it
calling for the situation to be what it was in 1990. We are saying
without compromising the interest of the country there are things
the government of Zimbabwe can do to have the situation back to
what it was."
"All the international community is saying is let there be
respect for property rights, weed out corruption and economic
opportunism and stop the farm invasions among other pertinent
issues. If all these things come into place, I am quite positive
that the situation will improve for all the Zimbabweans," he
said.
He said despite the sanctions that have been imposed on
Zimbabwe, Sweden would continue working with the government on
trade and investment issues.
Recently Stockholm, through the Swedish International
Development Cooperation Agency, approved the channeling of US$5
million for humanitarian support to Zimbabwe.
The funding will benefit various sectors including drought
relief, HIV/AIDS and the economic emancipation of the poor.
(Xinhua News Agency April 3, 2006)
