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Inclusive government - Index of articles
Zimbabwe
'needs reward for progress'
BBC News
January 29, 2010
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8486814.stm
Zimbabwean Prime
Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has urged the easing of targeted sanctions,
saying there ought to be a reward for Zimbabwe's progress.
His party joined
a unity government with President Robert Mugabe's nearly a year
ago with the intention of easing the country's economic crisis.
He told the
BBC at the World Economic Forum that he had come to Davos to clarify
misconceptions about Zimbabwe.
He said the
country was now on an "irreversible path to change".
"It's not
as if I'm here as a salesman of Zimbabwe, I'm here to clarify certain
misconceptions because I think there's been so much negative perception
about Zimbabwe," he told the BBC's Today programme.
He appealed
to investors to come and see for themselves how much progress had
been made.
He admitted
there were still "incidents" and it was frustrating that
agreements reached in principle with President Mugabe on the unity
government were still not being carried out.
But he said
he believed the level of political risk was far reduced from what
it had been a year ago.
He admitted
certain benchmarks still had to be reached and it was up to Western
capitals to decide, but said there was a case for easing the West's
targeted sanctions against his former opponents - to make them see
that supporting Zimbabwe's unity government was worthwhile.
"It is
a very positive signal, very positive signal to those who doubt
that they have anything to benefit from this inclusive government,"
he said.
Mr Tsvangirai
also said that he expected a referendum on a new constitution would
lead to new elections next year and Zimbabwe's people could then
elect a government of their choice.
However, public
consultations on a new constitution were suspended last week.
The unity government
has halted the collapse of Zimbabwe's economy by allowing the use
of foreign currency but some former opposition activists say they
are still being intimidated by Mr Mugabe's hardline supporters.
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