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anniversary celebrations at the National Sports Stadium in Harare yesterday, President Mugabe said the conciliatory moves should be coupled with the complete removal of sanctions.
“Zimbabwe welcomes the re-engagement efforts that were initiated by Britain, the European Union, and recently US government. We hope that these efforts will lead to the unconditional lifting of illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe,” he said.
The President said while Zimbabwe accepted relations with the West, it did not tolerate interference in its internal affairs.
“What is crucial is Zimbabwe attained independence . . . It demands, according to international law, to be treated fairly. These countries should respect our sovereignty which underpinned the right of our people to self determination.
“While these countries lead their activities in accordance with the international law to build harmonious relations with us, it is imperative that these countries respect our sovereign independence and wishes of our people to defend their nation.”
President Mugabe said the re-engagement efforts should culminate in the complete removal of illegal sanctions regime the westerners imposed outside the purview of the UN system.
Last month, the EU suspended sanctions against 81 individuals and eight entities in the wake of the constitutional referendum, a move that was dismissed as tokenism.
And Britain and its allies also invited the Zimbabwe re-engagement team to London for talks aimed at normalising relations.
President Mugabe, on Tuesday, met an envoy from the US State Department who said his country was keen to normalise relations ahead of harmonised elections scheduled to be held by midnight June 29 when the life of the Seventh Parliament ends.
The State Department dispatched its former ambassador to the United Nations, Mr Andrew Young, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Mr Reuben Brigety, who met President Mugabe for over two hours at his Munhumutapa Offices to convey the message of reconciliation.
The overtures by Britain, the EU, US and their allies, analysts say, indicate that the MDC-T’s handlers had realised that the regime change agenda has aborted and MDC-T cannot form the next government.
President Mugabe paid tribute to Sadc and the African Union for their support in the implementation of the Global Political Agreement in Zimbabwe.
He also commended the security forces for maintaining peace and security in the country.
“We continue to look up to them, trust them those in defence, those in the army and in police to continue to be vigilant in their exercise and obligation to defend our country and all individuals in the country, “ he said.
The MDC formations have been pressing for changes in the top hierarchy of the security agencies as part of a grand plan to facilitate regime change at a time countries in the region continued showing confidence in the ZDF by sending their officers for training.
Zanu-PF has ruled out the reforms saying these were disguised attempts to weaken the security services to abet regime change.
Online Reporter