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Zimbabwe 'not a UN issue'
25/05/2006 09:23 - (SA)
Johannesburg - Zimbabwe has poured cold water on the idea of the United Nations helping to solve its economic and political problems, say reports.
Secretary for information and publicity George Charamba said: "I am unaware of any UN intervention on Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe is not a UN issue.
"What I am aware of is a stale invitation, which was extended to the UN secretary-general Kofi Annan by President Robert Mugabe at the time of the clean-up operation."
This operation entailed a demolition blitz last year to clear squatter camps and other informal settlements around Harare. It left an estimated 700 000 people homeless.
Charamba, who was also President Robert Mugabe's spokesperson, said the situation had now changed.
Annan 'interested in Zim'
According to Charamba: "That clean-up operation long gave way to Operation Garikai/Hlalani Kuhle for the construction of houses for the displaced and homeless, thereby removing the original purpose of the invitation."
South African President Thabo Mbeki said that the UN was central to help turn around the situation.
Mbeki said: "We are all awaiting the outcome of his intervention. What Mr Annan is interested in is that the circumstances must be created for Zimbabweans to face their real problems: the falling standard of living and so on.
"You need to normalise relations between Zimbabwe and the rest of the world. So Mr Annan's interaction with the Zimbabwean government would be intended for those sort of outcomes."
Charamba said that his country's expectation had all along been that the UN should have challenged sanctions imposed against Zimbabwe by the European Union and the US.
He said: "Of course, we know the British and Americans have been trying to use the UN system to further their narrow foreign policy goals. I doubt whether President Mbeki would want to be part of that intention."
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