Mugabe wants sanctions lifted

2008-09-25 08:30

New York - Zimbabwe's president said on Wednesday he sees no obstacles to carrying out a power-sharing agreement with rivals and hopes it will lead the West to ease sanctions, which he blamed for devastating the country's economy.

In an interview with The Associated Press, the 84-year-old Robert Mugabe was sharp, quick and animated - and made clear he is determined to remain president despite what he said were efforts by Britain and the US to oust him.

"They are waiting for a day when this man, this evil man, called Robert Mugabe is no longer in control," he said. "And I don't know when that day is coming."

Mugabe, who is to address the UN General Assembly on Thursday, dismissed Western reports that the September 15 power-sharing deal could fall apart "because I don't know of any hitch".

Under the agreement, Mugabe remains president, but is supposed to cede some of the powers he has wielded for nearly three decades in the southern African country.

Mugabe said on Wednesday the only outstanding issue is deciding on four of the 31 Cabinet posts, and the negotiations are continuing in Harare while he is in New York. He declined to say which posts are still being discussed.

The agreement provides for 15 nominated by Mugabe's party, 13 by opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai and three by the leader of a smaller opposition faction, Arthur Mutambara.

But Mugabe made clear on Wednesday that he was willing to share power with Tsvangirai, who would become prime minister under the agreement, leading a council of ministers responsible for government policies and reporting to a Cabinet headed by Mugabe.

Truth and reconciliation

Tsvangirai has repeatedly said he does not want a legal witch hunt in Zimbabwe, but that he believes some kind of truth and reconciliation process is necessary to allow healing after years of violence and repression. Mugabe disagreed.

"At the moment, the fight between us has been one between Britain and ourselves - Britain, of course, using as their front the opposition," Mugabe said. "So the British and the Americans, they've got to be reconciled to us."

Western nations, who have shunned Mugabe's government and whose aid and investment are sorely needed, have reacted cautiously to the coalition agreement. Millions of dollars in aid are expected to flow in if Mugabe actually shares power.

Mugabe said on Wednesday the West should now begin removing "demonic" sanctions, which have targeted individuals and companies seen to be supporting his regime.

"We don't expect investment from countries that are hostile," Mugabe said. "They can keep their investment, but we would hope in the first place that sanctions would be lifted. There is no reason for imposing sanctions on Zimbabwe at all. There has never been any reason for it, you see, except hostility."

EU foreign ministers have welcomed the power-sharing deal but have said that Mugabe must prove he is willing to restore democratic rule before EU sanctions can be lifted.

Mugabe said on Wednesday that Zimbabwe can return to its former economic status, saying "if only the West can leave us alone, you will certainly see us come up."

"It will take us time because we have lost some time because of sanctions," he said.

- AP