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Zimbabwe government's theft of children's aid is "unconscionable"
Stephen Kaufman, U.S. State Department
June 12, 2008

http://www.america.gov/st/democracy-english/2008/June/20080612175438esnamfuak0.8762323.html?CP.rss=true

Washington -- Humanitarian aid intended for hungry Zimbabwean children was looted by military and police forces June 6 and distributed to government party members as part of what U.S. officials have described as the government's control of food as a weapon to discourage support for President Robert Mugabe's political opposition.

U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Henrietta Ford described the action as "unconscionable" in a June 12 statement. "It is unacceptable for the Government of Zimbabwe to steal food from hungry children," she said.

USAID said Zimbabwe's governor of Manicaland directed the military and police to hijack the truck carrying 20 metric tons of U.S. food assistance destined for schoolchildren and give it to supporters of the ruling ZANU-PF party who had gathered for a political rally in Mutare District.

"Given the existing food insecurity and widespread violence that has recently spread throughout the country, this event is another affront to the people of Zimbabwe and the humanitarian organizations working to assist vulnerable Zimbabweans," Fore said. "It also represents an orchestrated theft of U.S. government property. Those responsible should be brought to justice."

Mugabe regime taking "awful strides to maintain its power"
At the State Department, deputy spokesman Gonzalo Gallegos said June 12 that the Mugabe government "is taking tremendous and frankly just awful strides to maintain its power." By denying food to children, the regime has "lowered the bar to a level that we rarely see" in terms of the abuse of its own citizens.

U.S. Ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGee had told reporters June 6 that as the June 27 presidential runoff election approaches, government officials have been using food aid as a weapon against the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party by providing assistance to MDC members only if they surrender their identification cards, thereby forfeiting their right to vote in the June 27 presidential runoff election.

"The only way you can access food is give up your right to vote. It's a very well-orchestrated campaign," McGee said.

Gallegos called on the government to "immediately reinstate permission for all aid agencies" to resume badly needed food and other assistance. "Failure to do so constitutes the government of Zimbabwe in complicity in the assault, suffering and deaths of innocent citizens."

The State Department also condemned the Mugabe government's arrest of MDC Secretary-General Tendai Biti after his arrival from South Africa.

"This is another example of their concerted effort to ensure that the opposition party cannot campaign effectively," Gallegos said. The United States is continuing to note the abuses and consult with parties in the region, he said.

"The world is taking note. And if this government does not allow a free and fair runoff, they will have to pay in some way, shape or form in the end. And they will be held accountable," Gallegos said.

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