Zimbabwe slams US over its own debt

HARARE – Information minister Chris Mushohwe has slammed the United States government for attempting to scuttle Zimbabwe’s efforts to clear its debts and secure new credit lines from multilateral lenders, and other creditors.

This comes as US senator Bob Corker has called on Treasury secretary Jacob Lew to stop the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund from helping Harare until a number of reforms — bordering on the rule of law and other rights issues — have been addressed.

“The statement leaves no one in doubt about the reality of country (sanctions)… that Zimbabwe is being denied lines of credit for failing to service its arrears. What lies at the heart of US policy towards Zimbabwe is the vain hope for regime change through sanctions-aggravated social conditions..,” Mushohwe said.

“The ultimate objective is to … weaken Zimbabwe’s status as a sovereign, independent African State. The letter makes it plain that the talk of re-engagement is duplicitous, indeed a way of buying time in the hope that sanctions-wrought challenges may worsen,” he added.

The January 28 letter, Mushohwe said, also revealed that Washington’s control of what are supposed to be independent global financial institutions was not good for international relations.

“… it leaves government with the impression that the impending visit by US Congressmen is a side drama bereft of any real serious constructive intentions.

“Zimbabweans are reminded once more to look in other directions for economic recovery and assistance, including the east as well as internally,” he said. Daily News