World perception of Zimbabwe changing – Tsvangirai

Tsvangirai was speaking at a press conference at the La Fontaine-zaal here on June 7 after meeting Bert Koenders, the Minister of Development Cooperation of the Netherlands.
Prime Minister Tsvangirai said his interaction with the minister had proved that the international community had shifted from scepticism to realism in their dealing with Zimbabwe.
“The Minister’s message was not whether or not Zimbabwe should be supported as was the case previously, but it was about how the support should be structured,” said the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister said since he had not brought with him a begging bowl, it did not disturb him much that he had not been given a figure or the time lines on financial support for his country by Koenders. He added that while there was no mention of dollars and cents, the sudden change of heart and attitude from scepticism of wait and see to openness and exploration of viable options for transitional support was quite heartening nonetheless.
Koenders said the bloc wanted to see clear progress on human rights, the reining in of security services and reform of the country’s central bank before resuming aid.
“It is the agreement of the parties in Zimbabwe itself regarding human rights, security, regarding economic policy, regarding land survey that forms the basis for our future support,” Koenders told reporters after meeting Tsvangirai in The Hague.
The slow pace implementation of some crucial aspects of the Global Political Agreement by the inclusive government keeps coming up where ever the Prime Minister goes.
According to Pascal Richard of Zimbabwe Watch, full implementation of the GPA as agreed upon by the three parties to the agreement will be an indication to the world that all are willing to be bound by its letter and spirit. He said wanton violations of some provisions of the agreement by any of the parties as is visible in some cases would only militate against the cause of international re-engagement and transitional support.
On Tuesday Prime Minister Tsvangirai met his opposite number Dr. Jan Peter Balkenende, Netherlands Prime Minister, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Verhagen .
From Neatherlands. the Prime Minister departed for Washington DC. He is accompanied by the Minister of Regional integration and International Cooperation, Priscilla Misihairambwi-Musonga, Walter Muzembi of Tourism and Elton Mangoma of Economic Development and Investment Planning.