OWN CORRESPONDENT, Pretoria | Friday
US Secretary of State Colin Powell has blamed President Robert Mugabe for much of Zimbabwe’s woes and called for tougher action to stem the crisis in that country.
Powell told journalists in Pretoria he had discussed the Zimbabwe situation with South African Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma in bilateral talks on Friday morning and with President Thabo Mbeki the previous evening.
“I concentrated on the political crisis caused to a large extent by the actions of President Mugabe,” he said.
“Action must be taken both on an economic and a political front to stabilise the situation and persuade Mr Mugabe to move in a more democratic fashion towards a resolution of the problems in Zimbabwe.”
But Dlamini Zuma told reporters her main concern lay with events which have sent the economy of South Africa’s northern neighbour into free-fall.
“We outlined our approach, we view the situation in Zimbabwe as critical, particularly on the economic crisis … We will try to assist Zimbabwe to come out the economic crisis,” she said.
Powell arrived in South Africa on Thursday evening for a three-day visit which forms part of a four-nation trip to Africa, the first ever by an African-American US secretary of state to the continent.
Powell said there had been no need to discuss the Aids pandemic with Mbeki: “He understands the nature of the problem, how it affects his country and the whole region.”
A senior US official, speaking on condition of anonymity said after the briefing however that the United States remained worried that Mbeki was not personally involved in the fight against Aids.
Africa is the continent worst hit by the acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome, home to 25.3 million of the 36.1 million people infected worldwide, according to year-end statistics from 2000. South Africa has the highest number of cases – 4.7 million, or one in nine of the population.
“It is important for the government leadership to be actively involved in the HIV/Aids issue,” the official said.
“When you do see political leadership tackle this particular problem, the awareness side and prevention side makes a difference.”
Andrew Natsios, of the US Agency for International Development, commented: “President Thabo Mbeki has very unorthodox views on Aids, but his ministry of health has been very cooperative in fighting the problem.” – AFP
*ZA NOW:
Powell packs his bags for Africa May 24, 2001
Powell keen on African trip May 24, 2001