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Annan plans special Zim visit
15/03/2006 00:04 - (SA)
Cape Town - United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan is to visit Zimbabwe in a further attempt to resolve the country's problems.
Briefing the media in Cape Town, following discussions with President Thabo Mbeki, Annan said Zimbabwe had great potential and an important role to play on the continent.
The current situation in the country was extremely difficult for Zimbabwe itself, the region, and the world, and had to be resolved, he said.
Annan was responding to a question about South Africa's policy of "quiet diplomacy" to resolve Zimbabwe's problems.
"We live in an interdependent world," he said.
There had been a tendency by African countries not to get involved in the internal affairs of other African countries. However, in this day and age, very few crises remained internal, and usually soon affected neighbouring countries.
Annan said South Africa had done a lot in trying to help resolve the crisis in Zimbabwe, and that country's neighbours should be encouraged to work with the Zimbabweans to solve their problems.
He intended to visit Zimbabwe - not on his current trip but on a special visit - to "discuss the issues" with authorities there.
Because of its history, its potential, and the important role it had to play, it was necessary to restore Zimbabwe to the position it should occupy, Annan said.
He thanked South Africa, and Mbeki personally, for his efforts in helping to resolve conflicts on the continent, including in the Ivory Coast, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Darfur.
"I have always been able to count on the president as a very reliable partner," Annan said.
- SAPA
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