Congressional Delegation concludes Zimbabwe Visit
Delegation held meetings with PM, Speaker of Parliament and the President
Harare: September 3, 2009- A delegation of U.S. Congressmen concluded two days of meetings with senior Zimbabwean government officials in Harare during which it discussed a range of issues including the performance of the inclusive government, unresolved issues of the Global Political Agreement signed last September 15, and the role of the United States in supporting the government and the Zimbabwean people.
The five-member delegation was the largest group of American policymakers Zimbabwe has hosted in more than a decade and was led by Representative Gregory Meeks (D-New York) and included Representatives Jack Kingston (R-Georgia), Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-Texas), Melvin Watt (D- North Carolina) and Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio).
The delegation met separately with President Robert Mugabe, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, and Speaker of the House of Assembly Lovemore Moyo and the tri-partite chairs of the Parliamentary Select Committee on the Constitution.
Following their meeting with the Prime Minister, Representative Meeks, speaking on behalf of the delegation, explained, “This delegation and my government are supportive of the inclusive political arrangement established between the three primary political parties in Zimbabwe. We recognize that it is not intended as a permanent arrangement and as such is bound to experience some growing pains. However, to have a reasonable prospect of delivering benefits to the Zimbabwean people it is paramount that the signatories work in good faith with each other. We are concerned that multiple issues remain unresolved with respect to the Global Political Agreement.”
While addressing America’s relationship with Zimbabwe and what additional support the U.S. government might provide, Meeks commented, “Our support for the Zimbabwean people cannot be questioned. U.S. direct assistance to the Zimbabwean people exceeded $310 million, primarily food aid, non-food emergency assistance, health assistance, and democracy building support this year. We have always stood ready to help the Zimbabwean people.”
“During Prime Minister Tsvangirai’s visit to Washington in June, President Obama promised additional support in the areas of agriculture and education. Beyond this, increased U.S. engagement and assistance will depend on further political and economic reform; and compliance with the Global Political Agreement,” said Meeks.
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