'Too soon' for Mugabe exit plan
25/05/2006 12:45  - (SA)  

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New York - A senior United Nations official said on Wednesday that it was far too premature to talk about a plan that would involve the departure of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe.

UN under secretary-general for political affairs Ibrahim Gambari made the remarks as South African President Thabo Mbeki expressed backing for a planned visit to Zimbabwe by UN chief Kofi Annan, who wanted to negotiate a deal with Mugabe.

Mbeki, flanked by British Prime Minister Tony Blair, said: "It's best left to them, to the UN and the Zimbabwean government and hopefully that will produce its outcome so that we remove this particular matter from the international agenda."

Mbeki optimistic about Zim

Gambari said: "It's premature to talk about any package and certainly even more premature to talk about that package including a possible departure of President Mugabe.

"I cannot speculate on what is motivating the South Africans to consider stepping up or maintaining the level of engagement (on Zimbabwe)."

Asked whether he would support a deal that would give Mugabe incentives to step down, such as an aid package or assurances about his vulnerability to prosecution, Mbeki replied: "I'm quite certain that it wouldn't help in any way if any one of us started prescribing what we believe ought to be the outcome of the process."

Zim faces economic, social challenges

Meanwhile, Gambari said the UN was in constant touch with southern African leaders, including Mbeki, on how best to help the people of Zimbabwe cope with their country's "enormous economic and social challenges".

According to Mbeki, the Harare government had agreed to a visit by Annan and was making the necessary preparations.

Mugabe invited Annan to Zimbabwe after the release of a UN report on a slum clearance campaign last year that said at least 700 000 people had been left homeless.

An unnamed UN official said that Annan had been exploring the possibility of movement on the political and economic front ahead of a possible visit.

Zimbabwe, once southern Africa's breadbasket, was in the throes of an economic crisis characterised not only by hyperinflation, but also by widespread unemployment, and chronic shortages of fuel and basic goods.

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