David Miliband

Foreign Secretary

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Tuesday 15 September, 2009

EU in Zimbabwe

I welcome the EU mission to Zimbabwe. The representatives played their cards well - supporting the global political agreement, but making enhanced EU support contingent on its implementation. The team recognised political realities, meeting both President Mugabe and Prime Minister Tsvangirai.

But they also made clear that they backed reform, and that  the measures targeted on the Mugabe elite could not be lifted as a prelude to the return to the status quo ante. The EU is the world's second biggest aid donor. It will need to play an important role in the reconstruction of Zimbabwe. And it needs to do it step by step.

Posted at 12:27 15 September 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[3]

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Dear David, I think that's a very promising act that you were the 1st EU -Foreign Secretary at all,who has spoken to both,President Mugabe and PM Tsvangirai.For I guess that topics like recognising the political realities or "Holding /backing reforms"were surely also on the subject area.Nevertheless :Your last sentences are to me very important.For if the EU is the world's 2nd biggest aid donor and need to play an important part in re. of the reconstruction of Zimbabwe-than it's logically that the EU,the USA and the UN will assist by building up new democratic structures as a 1st step,2nd step would surely mean that the entire economy should also completely building up new. In your words-to which I do full agree:"...do it step by step..". Best wishes, Ingo-Steven Wais, Anglo-German,Stuttgart

Posted by Ingo-Steven Wais on September 16, 2009 at 05:02 PM BST #

A return to normality is important, but never forget that the people of Zimbabwe deserve justice too, after all the crimes that have been committed against them by a regime that still seems to be managing to cling onto enough power to preserve itself.

Posted by OwenE2 on September 18, 2009 at 09:53 PM BST #

Personally I think Zimbabwe is in the state it is because it is in 'our' interests.

Posted by Adrian Peirson on September 25, 2009 at 10:13 PM BST #

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