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Harare Bureau
THE United States has tightened sanctions on Zimbabwe after endorsing “final rule” stringent measures that will see the Office of Foreign Assets Control intercepting funds and goods such as medicines destined for Harare. International donations in the form of humanitarian aid, food, clothing, goods or money will not be spared under measures introduced on July 10.
Washington will also impose sanctions on any companies and financial institutions that do not follow orders to freeze money destined for Zimbabwe via international transactions.
It is understood the US is specifically targeting proceeds from the sale of diamonds from Chiadzwa, which are in strong demand worldwide.
In what could be construed as doublespeak, the “remodelling” of the sanctions comes a few weeks after US Ambassador to Zimbabwe Bruce Wharton said it was necessary to review the embargo since conditions under which it was imposed had changed.
Optimists had taken this to mean a relaxation of the widely discredited embargo, especially in light of the European Union’s indication that all its sanctions on Zimbabwe could be removed by the end of this year.
Online Reporter