Gono defuses UN pull-out threat

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Gono organised a meeting between the UN agencies and President Robert Mugabe, who reassured them that a particular international fuel procurement company would be exempt from the ban of July 18 – which removes one of the last ways available for people to buy fuel, a diplomatic source told IWPR.
The source added that some embassies were threatening to relocate to South Africa. “The fuel directive was the last straw. We are already working under very difficult circumstances,” he said.
The scheme allowed fuel purchases with foreign currency coupons either from private oil companies or individual importers. All businesses have now been ordered to redeem fuel coupons within two weeks.
Gono, whom analysts say is growing increasingly frustrated with government’s ad hoc economic policies, reacted with anger to the announcement that the fuel scheme would be scrapped.
“Everything needs to be properly dissected, looking at the pros and the cons so that we do not make rushed decisions,” he said. “We have hindered people from going about their normal business.” – IWPR