The bilateral talks held in Gaborone on Thursday between the visiting United States President George Bush and Botswana President Festus Mogae would not change the country’s policy towards Zimbabwe, Botswana’s Foreign Minister Mompati Merafhe said.
Bush earlier said there should be democracy in Zimbabwe to enable the people to advance and the US would continue to speak out on that.
Merafhe said: ”The issue is one of a process of persuasion. We cannot dictate to a sovereign state. We have 640km of border with Zimbabwe. It is important that we continue to hold dialogues.”
She said Botswana would keep the lines of communication open and could facilitate a resolution but it cannot become ”the policeman of Zimbabwe”.
”Botswana cannot be the front runner in the resolution of the situation. We are neighbours, we have to do business with them. We cannot be antagonistic.”
Merafhe briefed media at the end of talks between Mogae and Bush.
Bush and his entourage arrived in Botswana on Thursday morning for a one-day visit. – Sapa