UK parliamentarians expected in Harare

By Andrew Moyo

HARARE – A group of British law makers is expected in Zimbabwe next week, in the clearest sign yet of thawing relations between London and its former colony.

The group, from the UK Parliament’s International Development Committee (IDC), will spend four days in Zimbabwe during which they will tour various humanitarian projects funded by British taxpayers through the Department for International Development (DFID).

DFID head in Zimbabwe Dave Fish said the visit by the parliamentarians will help ensure continued support for the humanitarian projects in Zimbabwe.
“The UK government is committed to helping the poorest and most vulnerable people in Zimbabwe,” said Fish.

“Progress on halting the spread of HIV/AIDS, caring for orphans, widows and disabled as well as access to safe water supply and agriculture inputs are vital for Zimbabwe’s recovery. The parliamentary visit will ensure that our support continues to deliver life-changing results for those most in need of help.”

It was not immediately clear whether the UK parliamentarians plan to hold talks with President Robert Mugabe or any other leaders or officials of Zimbabwe’s unity government that came into office last February and has promised to restore relations with Western nations.

While the visit is officially being touted as a parliamentary mission to inspect UK-funded aid projects, it is likely to be viewed in political circles as indication that London could be toying with the idea of renewing contact with Mugabe, who still controls Zimbabwe despite agreeing to cede some of his powers under the power-sharing agreement with Tsvangirai.

Relations between Britain and Zimbabwe soured after London and its Western allies imposed visa and financial sanctions on Mugabe and his top lieutenants as punishment for violating human rights, stealing elections and failure to uphold the rule of law.

Mugabe denies the charges and instead accuses Britain of reneging on promises to fund land reform in Zimbabwe and charges that London and its Western allies have funded his opponents in a bid to oust him from power as punishment for seizing white land for redistribution to blacks. – ZimOnline