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Zimbabwe at Pivotal Point in its History
Charles W. Corey, Washington File
June 25, 2004

http://usinfo.state.gov

Washington -- "Zimbabwe is at a pivotal and perilous moment in its history," the U.S. ambassador-designate to that country, Christopher W.Dell, told the United States Senate June 23.

In testimony before the Committee on Foreign Relations, Dell reminded thelawmakers that "until recently, Zimbabwe was a force for stability andprosperity in the region."

At one time, he recalled, Zimbabwe "had strong financial, health and educational institutions, an independent and respected judiciary and a robust free press. Its strong agricultural sector produced a surplus of grain that helped to ensure the region's food security.

"Today," he lamented, "Zimbabwe is in a state of worsening political, economic and humanitarian crisis caused by its government's misrule in pursuit of absolute power. This crisis," he told the lawmakers, "has triggered political restiveness, popular dissent, human rights abuses, economic collapse, food shortages and environmental degradation."

If confirmed by the full Senate as the next U.S. ambassador to Zimbabwe, Dell pledged, he will continue the efforts of the U.S. government in "seeking Zimbabwe's re-emergence as a country with legitimate, democratically elected government that respects the rule of law and human rights, that works to ensure the well-being of its citizens, that fosters regional peace and stability and that pursues sound economic policies contributing to the prosperity of its people and to national and regional growth."

Dell said he faces these challenges "with the utmost seriousness," fully aware of obstacles that lie ahead.

A career diplomat for 23 years, Dell said his previous postings in Angola, Kosovo, Bulgaria and Mozambique have prepared him well for his assignment in Harare.

Speaking of his time in Kosovo, Dell said, "I witnessed firsthand how misrule by one man and his regime in pursuit of narrow political advantage devastated the lives of millions of his citizens -- both Albanian and Serb -- and I am proud to have helped in the effort to bring about Slobodan Milosevic's departure from power by democratic means."

These experiences, Dell said, convinced him that "American engagement is critical to helping countries such as Angola and Zimbabwe move beyond crisis" and taught him about the limits of American power and the need for nations and leaders to assume responsibility for their own destinies.

Responding to questions following his testimony, Dell summarized current aid to Zimbabwe. He said about $14 million in development assistance is targeted to promote democracy and governance, about $10 million to fight HIV/AIDS and $1 million to help stimulate economic development on a small scale. Additionally, he said, the United States is providing food assistance "on an increasingly large scale." This fiscal year, he said, food aid amounts to about $86 million.

Questioned about the prospect for "free and fair" upcoming parliamentary elections in Zimbabwe, Dell said, "It is more than evident that ZANU-PF -- President Mugabe, the government -- are doing everything they can to ensure that there is not a level playing field for elections." That, he said, is a "very disturbing prospect."

"If this approach is not reversed very quickly," he cautioned, "I don't think there is a prospect for genuinely free and fair elections to be held."

Senator Russell Feingold, the ranking Democrat on the Subcommittee on African Affairs, urged Dell to "work with the rest of the international community and key regional actors ... to agree on some consequences if these parliamentary elections turn out to be deeply flawed."

In a statement that set the tone for the hearing, Republican Senator Lamar Alexander, the chairman of the Subcommittee on African Affairs, said, "The implosion of the Zimbabwe economy has been caused by the gross mismanagement of its ... president, Robert Mugabe.

"Once the liberator of that country, today Mugabe is the captor -- willing to undertake any destructive policy in order to hold on to power."

"In the midst of this catastrophe, one thing is clear: it is time for Mr. Mugabe to go!" Alexander stressed. Feingold, the subcommittee's ranking Democrat, fully endorsed Alexander's remarks.

(The Washington File is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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