The United Nations holds the key to solving an economic and political crisis in Zimbabwe, President Thabo Mbeki told a British newspaper in an interview published on Wednesday.
South Africa’s leader threw his weight behind a planned visit to Zimbabwe by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, who wants to negotiate a deal with the country’s ageing President, Robert Mugabe, The Financial Times said.
Mbeki told the daily: ”We are all awaiting the outcome of his intervention. What Mr Annan is interested in is that the circumstances must be created for Zimbabwe to face their real problems: the falling standard of living and so on.
”You have got to do something to turn around the economy. It is necessary to turn around the climate for that.”
Zimbabwe’s government has agreed to a visit by the UN chief and is making the necessary preparations, according to Mbeki.
”You need to normalise relations between Zimbabwe and the rest of the world. So [Annan’s] interaction with the Zimbabwean government would be intended for those sort of outcomes, including what sort of assistance the UN would give,” the South African president said.
A UN official said Annan has been exploring the possibility of movement on the political and economic front ahead of a possible visit.
However, he told The Financial Times: ”At this stage it would be premature to talk about an initiative. We are exploring whether there are possibilities.” — Sapa-AFP