Representatives from Australia, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark,
Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New
Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the
United States, the European Commission, the European Union Council
Secretariat, the World Bank, African Development Bank, International
Monetary Fund, and United Nations met on Friday, March 20 in
Washington, D.C., to discuss how best to support the people of Zimbabwe
as they work to bring peace, stability, prosperity and democracy back
to their country.
We agreed to maintain and, to the extent possible, increase our current
levels of humanitarian assistance based on identified needs. In 2008,
we provided over $670 million in total assistance to the people of
Zimbabwe. To date this year, we have provided an additional $300
million in assistance. Our assistance is targeted at the most urgent
needs of the people and includes assistance for food, health services,
water sanitation, HIV/AIDS and cholera.
We agreed to work with the transition government to achieve specific
goals identified in the Global Political Agreement (GPA), notably the
restoration of the rule of law, economic stabilization and growth,
freedom of assembly and commitment to the democratic process, respect
for human rights and personal security, and full access to humanitarian
assistance.
We commend the reform efforts undertaken by the transition government
and the progress achieved to date towards these goals. We urge the
government to take additional steps to demonstrate its commitment to
reform such as the immediate release of all political prisoners, the
end of farm seizures, the cessation of politically-motivated violence,
the establishment of a credible and transparent Central Bank team, an
end to harassment and intimidation of the media, and a commitment to
credible elections in a timely manner. Provided positive developments
in regards to these political and economic reforms, the donor community
is ready to support Zimbabwe’s rebuilding with development assistance.
We will work closely with the guarantors of the agreement – the
Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union
(AU) – to monitor and encourage swift and effective implementation of
the GPA. Subject to performance from the transition government, we will
work with the international financial institutions to develop an
appropriate framework for reengagement.
Statement issued by the US Department of State, March 27 2009
Post published in: News