‘US ready to re-engage’

Farirai Machivenyika Senior Reporter
The US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Dr Shannon Smith, yesterday said her government was prepared to re-engage with Zimbabwe. She, however, repeated the discredited mantra that the illegal sanctions were targeted at a few individuals.Dr Smith who was in the country since last Friday, met Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Cde Chris Mutsvangwa, officials from the ministry and civil society members and businesspeople, among others. “The US does maintain targeted sanctions against individuals in Zimbabwe but at the same time the US wants to see Zimbabwe prosper and grow economically and the doors are open in that regard that American tourists come to Zimbabwe in large numbers, American businesspeople participate on the (Zimbabwe) Stock Exchange and other avenues in Zimbabwe. The efforts are to remain targeted but at the same time we are looking for opportunities for engagement and we are open to dialogue,” she said.

Dr Smith said Deputy Minister Mutsvangwa had been clear about the need to have the illegal sanctions removed.

“It was a very good conversation and we both looked for opportunities to discuss engagement and he certainly has strong views and his desire to have those removed. I do not think that’s a surprise but we had a frank and exchange of views,” she said.

Dr Smith also said some of the people she met also called for the removal of sanctions. “We had a variety of perspectives, some people whom we met wanted us to lift sanctions, some did not and we just reminded all of them that those are very targeted sanctions that affect a small number of Zimbabwe’s large population of 13 million. We heard a whole range of perspective about that and part of what I am doing is listening that is why I am here and not sitting in Washington. I wanted to hear from people on that part of our policy,” Dr Smith said.

She said the sanctions could also be reviewed. “It is not a static document and it is something that continues to be reviewed and I would refer to other developments in international relations where as things change relationships with those countries change,” she said.