adminhas seen relations between the US and Zimbabwe sinking to unbelievable levels.
When Zimbabwe embarked on the land reform programme, a programme meant to economically empower the marginalised indigenous population, the US seemed not to appreciate this redressing of historical imbalances.
This was not withstanding that the Carter administration played a pivotal role at the Lancaster House Conference in 1979, when the talks nearly collapsed because of the land issue.
Zimbabwe also took exception to what it sees as interference in its internal affairs from the US and its Western allies.
The imposition of economic sanctions through the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act of 2001 and attempts at implementing illegal regime change were viewed by Harare as interference in matters of a sovereign state.
This meeting was a follow-up to another meeting the ambassador had with unnamed reporters in Marondera on January 18, according to a Voice of America report.
Since being posted to Harare, Ambassador Ray has adopted a different approach from that of his predecessors. He has met with a cross-section of Zimbabweans with diverse viewpoints.
His electronic “Amb chat” on Facebook, which is popular with youths, is also giving him a window of opportunity to understand and appreciate the Zimbabwean situation vis-à-vis the US’ foreign policy.
Thus we hope that his advice to Washington is based on these interactions about a realistic Zimbabwe, and not something that some in Washington’s bureaucratic system would want to create.
Towards the end of last year, the US envoy also met the Zanu-PF national chairman, Ambassador Simon Khaya Moyo, before meeting with President Mugabe.
These new developments between Harare and Washington have been hailed as steps in the right direction by Zimbabweans in particular, who hope that a new and fresh chapter is being opened.
Ambassador Ray made it clear that dialogue was not only the way forward for both administrations, but that it was also healthy to interact.
With the global economic crisis affecting both nations, there is no country that can afford to miss out on opportunities offered by other markets. Zimbabwean and American people need to fully exploit their potential, live better lives and prosper.
While we commend these initial actions of reaching out, interpreting the value of such engagements depends on how sincere both parties are on mending fences.
Americans popularly say that talk is cheap, unless it is matched by concrete actions.
After a battered decade of strained relations, we would want to interpret Ambassador Ray’s overtures as genuine, consistent, sincere, and not political posturing.
We do not want to see ourselves saying in future, “there goes the West’s double standards”.
Although governance issues seem to top the US agenda in Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe on the other hand would want the illegal sanctions imposed by the US to be unconditionally removed.
This point has been drummed to the US administration several times.
Confidence in Ambassador Ray’s efforts will be boosted when he tells the people of Zimbabwe that the illegal sanctions have been removed.
This important step that some interest groups in the US seem oblivious of, is the key that will unlock doors to better relations for the two nations.
We give Ambassador Ray the benefit of the doubt and sincerely believe that this is a new beginning where mutual understanding and respect will be catalysts to achieving the desired goals he espoused last week.
At the same time, we question actions that make it difficult to see Washington’s sincerity. A few days before last week’s meeting, Zimbabwe’s Finance Minister Tendai Biti complained that the US’ continued sanctions regime on the sale of diamonds was eroding the country’s efforts to economic growth.
Despite Ambassador Ray’s explanations, we wonder how many people understand the minute details regarding US laws used to put the two companies on the sanctions list? What does this also say for the US, which assumed the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme presidency?
While Ambassador Ray was addressing the meeting, international news wires had a story about Thailand’s new prime minister who had to defend her appointment of a cabinet minister who is on a US blacklist owing to alleged business links to the First Family.
This made us wonder whether we are speaking from the same page, although we feel that the letter and spirit of such engagements should be explored further.
The future belongs to us all, and the world becomes a better place when we work together for the best interests of the people.
Online Reporter