MUTARE President Robert Mugabe should restore the rule of law to encourage donors and help the country clear its debts, an economic specialist has said.In an interview with The Zimbabwean, Joseph Muzulu, an economist with the United States Embassy, said: Bilateral donors have set five principles for extending financial aid to Zimbabwe. Firstly, the donors have said there should be full and equal access to humanitarian assistance. Secondly, restoration of the rule of law, including the enforcement of contracts, an independent judiciary and respect for property rights.
Muzulu added that the third principle would be for Mugabe to show a commitment to the democratic process and respect for international human rights obligations, ncluding a commitment to freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly and freedom of association.
The fourth one is for the country to demonstrate a commitment to macroeconomic stabilisation in accordance with guidance from relevant international agencies, he said, adding that the fifth principle would be for Mugabe to facilitate timely elections held in accordance with international obligations, and in the presence of international election observers.
These principles require nothing other than observance of internationally accepted norms of behaviour. Fulfilling these principles does not require any financial expenditure at all, said Muzulu.
He said, given Zimbabwes dire foreign exchange situation and the global financial crisis, arrears clearance could be facilitated by a bridging loan.
Without this, said Muzulu, the country would continue to experience the credit constraint that had stifled development over the past decade.
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