It is being hosted by the Vigil and its sister organisations Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR) and the Zimbabwe Yes We Can Movement with the support of the Zimbabwe Association.
The purpose of the meeting is to agree a common platform and strategy for diaspora action on the Zimbabwe crisis following the fraudulent July elections. At a meeting of the Zimbabwe Action Forum last Saturday the following ideas were put forward for discussion:
• Scrapping indigenisation and encouraging foreign direct investment.
• Giving bankable title to farmers to enable them to finance their operations (economists say this would at a stroke stimulate agriculture).
• Nationalising the diamond mines.
• Privatising the parastatals.
• Stem corruption and require senior elected and non-elected leaders to disclose their assets.
• Replacing the judiciary and reforming the police and armed forces.
Last week we reported that Zanu (PF) in the UK was claiming that the British Minister for Africa Mark Simmonds was now allowing the party to operate in the UK. We asked the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for clarification and this is their reply: ‘I can reassure you that the response from Mr Simmonds’ office to the representatives of Zanu (PF) was not a change in policy. As you set out, there was never a ban on them operating in the UK, and any organisation that operates within the law can do so – which the response was clear on.
Mr Simmonds offered an official level meeting with the party, which is consistent with what we do/have done with other groups, as you know. Officials in Harare also meet with members of Zanu (PF) as part of their work.’
Post published in: News