ZAJU I PF

ZAJU I PF News Official Organ of ZANU'PF DIpartrnent of Informatio, .ndPuNicity. 144 tnion Avenuc, II vare Tcl: 79014-8 FEBRUARY 1998 Volume 29, No. 2 1998, Registee at the G.P.O t a Newspapwr ...$t5 (incl. sales rhe economic consultative forum forges ahead

Zimbabwe News Official Organ of ZANU PF Contents Editorial: Cover Story: National News: Special Reports: Business: Viewpoint: Africa File: Features: I write as I like: International: Sport: Food Demonstrations...... Happy Birthday Cde President ...... Why is maize in short supply'? ...... Zambia - Zimbabwe trade increasing, but relations still strained ...... Mujibhas and Chimbwidos should be made productive ...... The economic consultative forum forges ahead ...... America: What should be done with all that power. The lst gratwfrntier...... Th e last great frontier ...... Sm all traders hit hardest by riots ...... H IV/A ID S and figures ...... Africa poised for better times ...... The 21st February Movement ...... US criticised for failure to push Netanyahu ...... Pele on W orld Cup W inners ...... Zimbabwe News in ihe official organ ofrghe Zimbahwe African Nalional I Inion AN I PIFand is prodtic the authority of'lhe Central Comm it Iby the Depanment o" Inlonnaliim and Publicit). Jong WMorId (opyriht. ('Cnlral Comm itice (ZAN I I) Idtor l (oumnci 1(:dc N. M Shanu nra.,J(X.( '.( hmulengisentk.('kd.(C.Ndlo% u. 'dc. S. KachinF' ('de A Siko ,ana om-mm

Trade Unionism in Zimbabwe The weak chain in the struggle against minority colonial rule was the absences of a credible and effective trade movement. The nationalist niovemeit needed a strong partner to rally the working class, but it was not there. What was called the Southern Rhodesia Trade Union Congress (ZRTUC) was a rag-tag of leaders who were agents of the colonial regime, and never cared about the interests of the workers. The workers also knew that. They supported the nationalist movement and never supported the rag-tag of the SRTUC. After independence ZANU PF started rebuilding the trade union movement. After branch unions were formed, an umbrella body was created as the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU). But, this organisation has also been infiltrated by agents of the white employer organisations. They are now concentrating the entire effort of the unions in fighting against the Government, and trying to wrest political power. The cause and the interests of the million workers in Zimbabwe has been forgotten entirely. We are back to square one with a trade union movement that does not serve the interests of the workers. But, the ZTCU's position is unique in that it is working actively with the employers. The two-day stayaway it launched on March 3 and 4 was orchestrated by the employers. Some announced to their workers not to come to work on those days, but that their salaries will be paid as usual. On the day of the stayaway, some closed their shops and factories. Thousands of workers who were coming to work found the gates locked. They were denied the right to work. We urge the.Government to take serious and effective action against the employers. It is they who are damaging our economy and misleading the trade unions. There are few trade unions that continue to work for the working class, such as the Associated Mine Workers' Union, and the General Transport Workers' Union. They should be supported and encouraged to do the work of the responsible trade union. The ZCTU is no longer a trade union movement; it has become a political party and a tool of the white employers. ZIMBABWE NEWS VOL. 29 NO. 2

Food demonstrations * The beginning or end of hostile era? City residents run away from teargas fired by police as food demonstrations turned violent stronomica hikes in the prices of mealie-meal and other basic commodities over the past few months forced people to he streets but the demonstrations soon turned nasty, with property and goods worth several millions of dollars damaged and or, looted. Equally nasty were views from the local 'independent' and foreign press. Our senior reportor, Zvenyika Kambizi takes a closer look t these and other issues related to the ,fbod riot. After the prices of most basic commodities were raised by an average of 30 percent between December 1997 and midJanuary 1998, millers promised a further 21 percent hike with effect from Monday, January 19, 1998. It was to be the fourth increment in four months. The hike, suspended indefinitely the day it was penciled to take effect, was attrIbuted to, among other factors, escalating transport costs, packaging and dwindling reserves. Another reason was the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) asking price which millers said was too high at $2 900. GMB paid farmers $1 200 per tonne. Millers raised mealie-meal prices by 36 percent last October and by 24 percent in December last year, noting that the increases were necessitated by farmers and traders demanding a much higher price for their maize. However, members of the public, notably from high-density suburbs, most of whom had already been burdened by recent hikes in school fees, felt the increases wpre unjustifiable and largely unafforda~e. A small group of mostly housewives in Harare's suburb of Mabvuku, peacefully took to the streets. They were soon joined by ruffians who immediately hijacked the cause of the demonstration. The hooligans went about inflicting damage to both movable and non-movable-properties, leaving a pathetic trail of destruction while looters took away anything they could lay their hands on. Some of the destroyed properties could take months to bring back to life. Most affected were Harare and Chitungwiza. The latter immediately went berserk after Mabvuku. Residents in Norton, Chegutu, Gweru, Mutare, Masvin.go and Marondera - joined in spon- * taneously but were hastily restrained by the police. In Harare and Chitungwiza though, members of the Defence Forces had to be summoned to help restore law and order as the demonstrations had virtually degenerated into looting escapades and hooliganism. The food riots ran for three days. At the time of going to press, about 3 000 of the hooligans and looters had been apprehended with most of them already charged. 'Independent' press The local 'independent' press, always vicious against the ZANU PF Government and President , raised the spectre of horrors like those of Somalia, Rwanda and Zaire. OContinued on next page ZIMBABWE NEWS VOL. 29 NO. 2

Food demonstrations OContinued from previous page eign press dwelt on the issue of white- and, urban residents will still demand owned farms. for justifiable price increases. A government-run daily too, charged in its editorial that "it will be difficult to convince the outside world that the Victoria Falls is not flowing with blood." And two professors at a local university predicted that President Mugabe shall not last his term of office which runs to the year 2002. The 'independent' press diid not explain how tragic ethno-nationals , in Somalia, master-minded by bigoted warlords, or the dictatorial governance of Zaire under Mobutu Sese Seko (now late), compared to the food riots. Worse still was the assumption by the daily paper that the outside world was convinced the Victoria Falls was flowing with blood. Whose blood, spilled by who - again, there was no explanation. It is also a pity that the two learned professors expect President Mugabe to succumb to stubborn Rhodies bent on discrediting his government and, ruffians and looters. They too, did not explain their fate in the event the president bowed to hooligan pressure. But if their views represent their true understanding of democracy, then they are making a sick joke of their professorship. Foreign press The foreign press, as usual, had headlines screaming: "Mugabe on the ropes", "Mugabe sowing the sees of his own demise" and, "Cornered Mugabe still without challenger." A Lawrence Bartlett of AFP wrote on January 21, 1998 "The food riots in Zimbabwe, long seen as one of independent Africa's success stories, suggest the country is on a slippery slope towards the disaster that has engulfed other countries of the troubled continent." He further wrote: "Economists say this (decision to acquire farms for redistribution amongst the landless) sparked uncertainty over the future of agriculture in the country's farm-based economy and, along with other economic factors, led to a collapse of the Zimbabwe dollar. This in turn led to the price increases which caused the riots, they say." Bartlett, like his colleagues elsewhere, did not bother to name his economists - dearly showing that these were their own views. Interesting too is the fact that the apocryphal accounts by the for- They claimed, without substantiation, that "the government will be forced into a partial U-turn on land rather than risk the international opprobrium of expropriation without fair compensation." But these are dearly self-serving reports. They are filed by people who share the same skin colour with those whose farms the government intends to acquire; with those who recently pushed prices of basic commodities beyond the affordability of the consumer. People who only surrendered- power to the majority in Zimbabwe after they had been defeated in the battlefield. Once beaten twice shy. Way forward Having tasted defeat before, they are set to lose every battle they wage against the revolutionary ZANU PF Party and its leadership. It is therefore, not wise on the part of the local minority group to assume or expect the highly skewed reports published in London or elsewhere to force the government to sgrender to their whims and caprices. Aird it is not for the government to beg for understanding from the minority. They spumed the call for national reconciliation enunciated by President Mugabe in 1980 thus the onus now rests with them to respond to that calL Facilitating cooperation and dialogue on issues relating to the upliftment of the general populace with a view to eradicating poverty would be favourable. Continued poverty of the majority in a land of plenty remains the most painful reminder of colonialism - no matter the eloquency of arguments to the contrary. Infact, such arguments are naive given that it took the minority 90 years to do for themselves what critics of President Mugabe expect the government to have done for the majority in 18 years. .The best bet for the minority is there!fore to work progressively with the government. The era of white supremacy and hostility is beyond repudiation. For, even if ZANU PF was to be removed from power today, that would not see Zimbabwe reverting to the leadership of another Ian Douglas Smith. The landless majority will still want their land back Members of the white community should infact, take comfort in the patience of the present ZANU PF leadership. There is reason to believe that the younger generation, the majority of whom are presently unemployed, will not take kindly to the persistent racial attitudes and overtones. The situation could be worse and much bitter for the unrepentent Rhodies whose repugnant scheming was surely the basis of the food riots. As for the 'independent' and foreign press, they need not to be reminded that none of their ilk existed in Somalia, Rwanda or Zaire. Should Zimbabwe become another Somalia, chances are they will not be there to tel the story. They will be the first to go. Commoned The Government of Zimbabwe should however, be commended for timely in.,tervention on behalf of the consumer when the Minister of industry and Commerce,.Cde. , announced the indefinite suspension of a further 21 percent hike by the millers. The citizenry now hope that the fourmember Cabinet task force set up by the government to look into the pricing of basic commodities will come up with stringent mechanism to monitor and prevent excessive profiteering. The task force is chaired by Cde. Shaauyarira while the three other tefbern am Minister without Portfoli, Cd& ; Ministe of Lands and Agriculture, Cde. Kumbiral Kana and,Planning Commissioner, Cde. Richard Hove. The decision to mete out deterrent sentences to the hooligans and looters is also commendable as this will serve as stem warning against acts of public violence and oanpral lau eau. I-I ZIMBABWE NEWS VOL. 29 NO. 2

Happy birthday Cde. President! Staff writer he President and First Secretry of ZANU PF, Cde. Robert Mugabe, turned 74 on February 21, 1998. 011 He was born in 1924, at Kutama Mission in Zvimba, to Mr. Gabriel and Mrs Bona (nee Shonhiwa) Mugabe - who are both now late. Cde. Mugabe who is a Catholic, is an internationally reowned fighter for freedoa, justice and peace. After leading the armed struggle for national independence, he made headlines worldwide when, upon his election as Zimbabwe's first popularly- elected Prime Minister in 1980, he enunciated a policy of national reconciliation. For his consistent, courageous and revolutionary leadership, he was honoured with the 21st February Movement - an organisation open to all boys and girls below the age of 15. Launched 12 years ago by the Party's then Youth League leadership, the primary objective of the Movement is to help instil into the teens, behavioural qualities that will make them better leaders of tomorrow. Thus each year, Cde. Mugabe's birthday coincides with celebrations of the 21 st February Movement. These have, since 1986, been held in Harare but following a decision taken a couple of years back to shift venues from year to year, this year's celebrations moved to Masvingo - the country's oldest town. President Robert Mugabe is a recipient o! various honours from across the world. Amongst them are the Africa Prize for Leadership for the Sustainable End of Hunger (1988), the Jawaharhal Nehru Award (1989),and the Order of Jamaica (1996). He- is described by the First Lady-as a caring and loving husband. The first couple has so far been blessed with three children namely Bona (named after his mother), Robert Jnr and, Chatunga ,(named after the President's grandfather). President Robert Mugabe share a joke (above) with members of the 21st Febru. ary Movement while below, he greets the young boys and girls fTorn all walks We wish you many more happy and of life gathered to celebrate his birthday in Harare healthy years, Cde. President! 0] ZIMBABWE NEWS VOL. 29 NO. 2

Why is maize in short supply? By OurAgricultural Correspondent WHY is maize in short supply - the staple food of most of our people? Every household knows how to grow maize, and how to keep it in the granary ("mudura") until it is needed for the pot, or for sale if there is a surplus. But, surprisingly enough, at present there is not enough maize in the country. Why? Last month, on January 21, 1998, the government sent a team of officers to check physically on how much maize we have in stock. They visited all the 68 depots of the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) in the country. The maize stocks they found were 481 033 tonnes in 68 depots. The largest amount was at Magunje in Hurungwe with 38 004 tonnes and there were depots like Middle Sabi and Dewedzo with nothing. A few of the depots had in store a sizeable quantity of maize owned bIy'private individuals, companies, and mill'ers who kept it there. They pay a small rental fee to the GMB. There are 22 700 tonnes of this maize. Maize with private sector The Government does not have an accurate count of the maize that is being stored by private individuals. But, on the 23rd of January, 1998, a team of officials from the GMB and the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture, visited the premises of the three main milling companies - National Foods, Blue Ribbon, and Midlands Milling Companies - inspected them and ascertained that they had only 3 500 tonnes. But, we still do not know the amount of maize belonging to farmers, individuals, and companies in private silos, and "matura". But, the overall impression is that it is not a lot of maize. At the present rate of consump-tion of 100 000 tonnes a month, the figures mean that in four months time, the nation will have no maize at all. Hopefully, the present crop will have been reaped, and will be in the '"matura" by May. But, it is a dangerous type of living for a maize- growing nation to be so close to the peril, or bankruptcy in staple crop. Maize price increase by 21 percent What precipitated the food riots of last month was the decision by the Millers Association to increase the price of mealie meal by 21 percent. The price of mealie-meal had been raised by 34 percent in October. and 27 percent in December. Now in January it was to go up again by 21percent. Infact, in the period of one year, the price of maize had gone up by 10 percent. This steep rise in the price of a basic commodity of our people was a matter of ZIMBABWE NEWS VOL. 29 NO. 2 grave concern. The 'oro" did not accept it, and replied by rioting in the street. The Government also did not accept this steep rise. It issued a statement saying government no longer set prices of commodities; since under liberalisation it was now being done by the producers/manufacturers of various commodities. But, government has a responsibility to see that the masses are not being exploited. For that reason, it set up a Task Force to look into the prices of basic commodities. It is to see whether the recent increases are justified on economic grounds, and whether prices can be stabilised. Bread and cooking oils The Task Force of four Ministers - Cdes Kumbirai Kangai, Eddison Zvobgo, Richard Hove and Nathan Shamuyarira - has looked into the prices of maize and come to the conclusion that the proposed increase of 21 percent was unjustified. That has now been withdrawn. The argument of the millers was that the GMB hid quoted a price of $2 800 per tonne which they could not meet without increasing the price. The GMB has now reduced its price to $2 400, and therefore there will be no increase in the price of mealie meal. The new wholesale prices of mealiemeal (rollermeal) wllbe $22.80 for a 5-kg bag, $44. 90 for a l0 kg bag; and $89.1f for a 20 kg bag, while the retailprices ha ve been set at $25.08, $49J9, and S94 02 respectIve* Any traders charging prices higher than these should be reported immediately to the police. But the prices of bread, cooking oil, and soaps have also risen sharply. They were reported to be going up again this month. Last month the Task Force told the producers not to raise these prices. As stated earlier, the government does not set prices, but it is putting pressure on the producers/manufacturers not to raise prices. What is clear is that government has to put in place a mechanism for stabilising prices, at least of the basic -foods that the people need and want. In our view, the government must retain control of prices of the basic commodities, even if that means subsidising them. In Europe, the industrialised countries subsidise their farmers, and the "povo" by paying for basic food. Infact in the European Union, they have stored lakes of milk, and mountains of butter and flour. In America, the poor people who are registered with the Social Welfare Department get Food Stamps that enable them to get food items cheaply or for no cost. In Zimbabwe, we should do what is best for our people, even of it may offend donors like the IMF and the World Bank. We should explain to them candidly why certain basic items have to be subsidised. The Strategic Grain Reserve (SGR) More importantly, government should make sure that it has the SGR levels it has set for itself - that is 936 000 tonnes. That goal has never been reached. Now, we have less than half of that. It will be used up rapidly in the next months because that is the only maize available in the country now. By April/May the stocks of the SGR will be very low indeed. In addition to the SGR we also need an SGR reserve fund to use whenever the need arises. The Fund should be properly managed, and used judiciously when the need arises, without constant reference to the Treasury. A properly managed fund, and hefty grain reserve are absolutely essential for our survival as a nation. Chance for small traders to step in The difficult situation regarding the escalating price of mealie-meal has ,hown the important role that could be played by the small millers. Given a good organisation, and some encouragement from government, they could supply the bulk of the mealie-meal to the urban population. The well-organised small millers of Bulawayo are already supplying 60 percent of the market; and also supply to Gweru and Masvingo. They have removed the pressure that was being put on the government by the big millers. However, in Harare the small millers are not so well-organised. Their market share is only five percent. The small millers are now allowed to buy maize directly from the GMB, grind it and sell the mealie-meal to the population. That is a real chance for the small indigenous men and women to make a breakthrough. In these days of liberalisation, if the three big millers - National Foods, Blue Ribbon, and Midlands Milling Co. - continue to dominate the market for mealie- meal, wheat flour, and vegetable oils, they will continue to hold the government at ransom. They are organised in cartels for each particular item, for purposes of comparing notes and deciding' on new prices.There is constant and organised collusion between them. There is no cutthroat competition among them. Tke recentlyappointed Competition Commission (or Monopolies Commission) will have a lot of reports to make about how companies operate as monopolies in this country. I1 L pecial Report I

Zambia-Zimbabwe trade increasing, but relations still strained By Our Lusaka Correspondent he trade between Zambia and Zimbabwe has continued to increase T and grow. Zambia has now replaced Botswana as the second largest customer for Zimbabwe in the region. In the last six years exports to Zambia grew by an average of 46.26%, while imports grew by 52.82%. In 1996 Zimbabwe exports to Zambia reached 912 million 7imbabwe dollars. It may reach the billion dollar mark this year. In 1 995zimbabwe exported 806.5 million Zimbabwe dollars worth of goods to Zambia; and 788.3 million to Botswana; 141.2 million to Malawi; 47.9 to .Mozambique; and 141.2 to Namibia. However, when it comes to imports Zim-' babwe imported more from Botswana in the same year - Botswana (487.8m), Zambia (1 33.3m), Malawi (47.4m) Mozambique (39.9m) and Namibia (84.6 in). A preferential trade agreement is being negotiated between the two countries. The business community in Zambia was not happy with the original draft that was tabled. .There have also beer complaints that Zimbabwean b'tsinesses have exported goods to Zambia\ that have originated from elsewhere. Zambians queried the certificates of origin with respect to wheat flour that were exported under COMESA concessions. They felt that the documents.on the origin of the flour had been falsified. Zambians also complained that the duty on cement in the new tariff announced by Zimbabwe was exorbitant. It was discovered later that there was a typing error in the tariff. This was corrected, but by then Cihlanga cement in Zambia had suspended its exports to Zimbabwe. New bridge at Chirundu There are discussions and plans to build an additional bridge across the Zambezi at Chirupdu. This bridge was built in the 1930s, and the, traffic has increased a lot. The contract may be given to a Japanese firm which may be supported with a grant-in-aid from the Japanese government. President Frederick Chiluba's government is reluctant to participate in the hydro"#ectric project at Batoka Gorge on the Zambezi River A B.O.T. consortium which looked at the project earlier submitted a proposal which was not acceptable to the two governments. As a bilateral Road Transport Agreement was concluded and signed at Victoria Falls on May 30, 1997, it should now be easier to agree on the construction of the new Chirundu bridge, and on other transport issues. On air transport, there are many issues still to be resolved, such as the slots for Air Zimbabwe, and Aero-Zambia. Air Zimbabwe wants an additional slot. Air Zimbabwe also wishes to extend one flight to Luanda. The two sides have to agree on arrangements for transfer of passengers to other airlines when an airline develops technical problems. Affretair also wants to be able to provide cargo services to Zambia. But, Zambia is now using TAZARA railway for most of its exports of copper and other heavy material. Consequently, the traffic to Zimbabwe, or to Beira through Zimbabwe, is very low at present. the outstanding issues of monies owing to the two countries, and lia- bilities, over the once joint railway system are being addressed by arbitration. Batoka is out for now The Zambian government is not participating in the huge hydro-electic project at Batoka Gorge on the Zambezi River at the present time. It is not considered a priority project. The Zambian government also wants to conclude the negotiations on the distribution of the assets of CAPCO (the Central Africa Power Board that operated Kariba power during the Central African Federation), before involvement in Batoka. The Batoka scheme will provide a large quantity of electricity to the national grid. The Zambian Government officials are also skeptical that Batoka project will benefit Zimbabwe more than Zambia. Although the Ministers of Energy have held several meetings on the CAPCO assets, and failed to reach agreement, the Zambians prefer to continue seeking a eContinued on next page ZIMBABWE NEWS VOL. 29 NO. 2

Zambia-Zimbabwe trade increasing, but relations still strained OContinued from previous page bilateral solution, rather than resorting to arbitration or to legal action. Cooperation in tourism The area of tourism provides ample opportunities for cooperation between the two countries. They share many kilometres of the Zambezi River; the Victoria Falls itself (one of the seven wonders of the world), Kariba, Chirundu, (and Manna pools), and fishing at Ferra and parts of the Caborra Bassa. 'A protocol on tourism still has to be negotiated. There should be cooperation in marketing, joint safari tours, research' and development, easing of boader movements, sharing organised tours, and harmonising standards and grading systems. Anti-poaching activities But, a pressing area for Zambia - Zirmbabwe cooperation is in the fight against poachers who are wiping out herds of wild life, especially the white and the black rhino. Several Zambians have been caught and at times killed in the Mavuradonha mountains. These incidents could be re-moVed, and the operations made more efficient, if the two Departments of National Parks and Wild Life were cooperative. Zambezi water project In Zambia, there appears to be little ir terest in the Matebeleland Zambezi Water project. They have asked Zimbabwe to send them a copy of the feasibility study of the project. This has been done. But, talking to government officials here they put the Zambezi Water Project, and Batoka project in the same bracket. .They say these are projects for the benefit of Zimbabweans, and have little benefits for Zambians. But, it appears that they will not block the implementation of these projects, as long as they are not required to spend their money on any one of them. Harrasment at boarder posts One of the persistent complaints of Zam- bian travellers is the allegedly harsh treatment they receive at the border at Chlnndu, Kariba, and at Victoria Falls. A new border post is being opened at Binga. Zatiblans have constantly complained that Zimbabwean customs officials are unnecessarily strict when processing Zambian travellers at border posts. These perceptions build some resentment in Zambia towards Zimbabwe, and Zimbabweans. Most of the complaints relate to pedestrian traffic at the border posts. People living along border areas crossover to buy foodstuffs for consumption or resale. The two governments have now agreed to issue border passes to persons living along border areas. .But, the Zimbabwean Immigration' Department should instruct its offi&ials to be courteous, even if they have to be firm as well: Zambians were pleased to read in their papers that desciplinary action had been taken against certain Zimbabwean immigration officials at chirun du. 0. Mujibhas and hAMbwidos should be made productive T he widely hailed decision by the TL government to pay gratuities to war veterans has seen more groups of people associated with the armed struggle pressing for recognition largely with the hope of receiving monetary compensation. war collborators - Mujibhas and and Chibwidos Association (MCA), is one of the most recent groups to emerge. Others are the Ex-Political Prisoners, Detainees and Restrictees ssociation while those who were in exile for plitical reasons are also under-' stood to be comteplating an association. To qualify for MCA membership, individuals have to provide names of the kraal- head, chief, the district and province under which he or she operared. A contact address during the Staff Writer war must also be provided. The details supplied are then verified by the vetting team which also requires an affidavit from at least, one ex-combatant. The second part of the verification form is composed of questions which must all be answered correctly; 'thereafter follows an oral interview. The association is chaired by a comrade Ranjinos Kawara. Indications have already been made to have President Robert Gabriel Mugabe as patron. So far, the'MCA has been warmly received by both the'ruling ZANU PF and the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association fZNLWVA). However, as a long-term precautionery measure, the association should be told that recognition by the Party leadership will not necessarly mean monetary pay-outs. The Mujibhas and Chimbwidos may be included in the liberation hero status with corresponding benefits. These could include priority with regards to land allocation under the new resettlement programme, educational assistance to deserving candidates and subsidised or free treatment at government hospitals. There could, however, be some cases that. warrant financial assistance these should be given due attention and treated accordingly. But the rest of the able-bodied membership shoud be given access to th9pe resources that will make them more productive in an increasingly competitive economic environment. ! ZIMBABWE NEWS VOL. 29 NO. 2

AM The economic consultative forum forges ahead By Our Economic Correspondent industry and Commerce Minister, Cde. N. Shamuyanra fter many weeks of thorough preparations,the inaugural meet£ng of the National Economic Con sultative Forum was held at the Sheraton Hotel on January 22, 1998. The accounts of commentators from a variety of newspapers say it was a useful meeting which made a good beginning, but others say it was a fiasco. One headline in the so called "Zimbabwe independent" of January 30, screamed:" Economic Consultative Forum A Fiasco". The Herald also poured water on the Forum by quoting in extenso those speakers who were either critical or negative. But. the various critics of the forum were totally misinformed, and unfortunately did not take the trouble to check on the true facts. The organisers decided to exclude the press at preparatory meetings held in December. it was decided that the press would attend only the official opening by the President and First Secretary, comrade R.G. Mugabe, and the closing speech by comrade Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa. But, the rest of the discussion part of the conference would be dosed to the press. This was necessary because the or- ganisers wanted -the decision-maker present to speak freely to each other, and to exchange views, without the whole world listening to their conversation. It is surprising that even a wellinformed critic like Mr Eric Bloch, writing in the Zimbabwe Independent took a critical view of the exclusion of the press. He has attended many international conferences where the press is not allowed to eavesdrop on confidential discussions. Surely you should not allow the Governor of the Reserve Bank, Leonard Tsumba, to exchange views with the bank managers in front of the camera. Mr Greenspan would never do that. Participation of the President Several participants expressed disappointment that the President left the Forum after the morning tea, and did not return, Mrs Johnee Blanchfleld, the president of the CZI, is one such complainant. The business of the forum is to formulate ideas which will be presented to the President, whether he is actually at the meeting or not. However, we agree that, in future, the President and First Secretary, should spend more time listening to the statements and views of the delegates. The question of one-on-one discussion with the President is out of the question in a modem state like ours. But, he could listen to some of the presentations by delegates and participants. Follow-up meetings Many commentators seemed to doubt the commitment of the Government to a process of consulting.the private sector. Clearly governm/nt could not have gone this far, and at such expense, if it was not serious. That view was thoroughly disproved by the convening of the first meeting of the Core Group (the executive) on Friday, lanuary 30th, only 8 days after the inaugural meeting. At that meeting the views of the business community were sought on the crucial issue of ever-rising prices. Reports from those who attended that meeting say very frank views were exchanged on the prices of basic commodities such as mealie-meal, bread, and cooking oil. It was noted that irl the last 3 months alone, the prices of these commodities had gone up 3 times, and still rising. It is these prices that had sparked off the food riots that ravaged the high density surburbs in the capital city, Harare. A further meeting of the Core Group was to meet in the third week of February to look at the macro-economic situation, especially the devaluation of the Zimbabwe dollar, the high interest rates, and the inflation rate. That meeting was to be addressed by the Minister of Finance, Dr H.M Murerwa. The President and First Secretary is also expected to attend. Dr Tandon's Correct Position A flashpoint in the debates was reached when the American professor, Mr Jerf Sachs, who was supposed to speak on the impact of globalisation and liberalisation on small economies such as Zimbabwe, infact spoke on the coming "doomsday for Zimbabwe". He said our economy is going to collapse, and we were doomed to failure because we were not exporting enough goods to meet our expenditures. Typical of Jerf he was blunt and negative. Dr Yashpal Tandon, a resident of Zimbabwe, could not stomach that. He shar. ply criticised the Professor, stating that Zimbabwe must develop its internal resources to meet its domestic needs first. Even industrialisation must be home-grown and aimed at meeting, domestic needs. That correct position was appluaded by many of the delegates present. However, another Tandon view was that the trade unionists, and the povo should have been present. The ZCflU were invited but refused to attend on the rather spurious grounds that it was not a policy-making body. The forum is only an advisory body to the President. They refused to take part. They cannot be forced to attend a gathering they regard as a mere circus. The peasant farmers, as well as the commercial farmers, were invited and attended. With the best will in the world, it would have been very diffucult to invite the real povo in rural Zimbabwe to come to such a meeting. oContinued on next page ZIMBABWE NEWS VOL. 29 NO. 2

A"*V Amenca: What should be done with all that power? M ore than 50 years ago, Henry Luce declared famously that the United States should "as sume the leadership of the world", inaugurating "the American century". He was wrong - or, at the very least, premature. It is the 21 st century that is likely to be America's. At the close of World War 11, the US, with 50% of the global economy, was pre-eminent. But its military prowess was'soon challenged by a Soviet Union determined to use its command economy to produce a formidable military machine. The duel between the two superpowers over a prostrate Europe inaugurated a Cold War, and a revolution in China seemed to threaten the postThe economic consultative forum forges ahead SContinued from previous page However the President will soon begin a country-wide tour specifically to dialogue with the povo and especially the peasantry. The tour will provide the missing link that Dr Tandon spoke about at the Forum. Intensive Discussions However, the commmentators have missed one important fact about the Forum. That is: the intensive discussions that took place at 16 tables. After each presentation of the substance of a subject, the delegates retired to each of the 16 tables for intensive discussion among ten people or less. After that exchange of views they returned to the plenary where each table presented the views expressed in their discussion. Consequently, a rich variety of views, backed by the personal experiences of some delegates, was presented. This was a unique way of organising a debate, but one that produced good rich results. it is no surprise, therefore, that the usual commentators who look for the grand speeches and the grand resolutions, did not find them at the Forum. And yet, a rich exchange of views did take place. 0 ZIMBABWE NEWS VOL. 29 NO. 2 By James Chace war US-Japanese security relationship-. Now the role of the United States as the leader of an anti-communist crusade is obsolete. But in a world that has gone beyond the Soviet-American balance of terror, there are new demands on American power. By all accounts, the United States is the greatest power in the world. The potential challengers to American hegemony - China and the European Union - are likely to remain just that for decades. China must modernise while reducing the enormous economic gap between the city and the country. Europeans continue to resist an effective political, military and economic directorate; despite the appellation Union, Europe may come to resemble the Austro-Hungarian Empire, trying to act as a nation-state while riven by internal strife. America's cultural hegemony is as overwhelming as is its military power. American entertainment ranks with the aerospace industry as one of the two largest US exports. Moreover,unlike aerospace, which at least has some degree of competition from Europe's Airbus consortium, there is no foreign entertainment industry that even remotely challenges the reach and influence of American movies and television. France may seek protection for its films from Brussels,but these efforts will merely preserve a small but vibrant output of French movies; they will not mount a serious commercial challenge to American offerings. Former Cabinet Secretary James Schlesinger remarked in 1996 on "historic tendency" of the great powers - in this case China, Russia and Europe - "to cut a leader down to size". Yet the Europeans depend on ,the US to guarantee their stability and the great Asian powers of China, Japan and Russia (as well as smaller nations like Vietnam and South Korea) want America to play a role in maintaining the balance of power. That other nations, great and small, from Africa and Australia, are dependent on the United States is everywhere in evidence. But it is an appropriate dependency, or are they resentful of the exercise of the American will? Playing the infamous role of Globo Cop, Bill Clinton's USA a meeting in April 1997 between Russian President Boris Yeltsin and Chinese President Jiang Zemin. At a Moscow summit, they pledged to work together to limit American influence. "No country should seek hegemony, practice power politics, or monopolise international relations," they agreed. In fact, though, the American President does get his way on most issues. NATO enlargement was limited to three members because Bill Clinton said so. Without American miltary intervention the war in Bosnia would not have ended, nor would the Dayton accords have been signed. In 1996, the Americans used aircraft-carrier diplomacy to warn the Chinese not to intimidate Taiwan. The US continues to exercice military and economic power in Haiti and Mexico, respectvely. For nearly half a century, American public opinion has backed an active American role in world affairs. In 1947, as the Cold War was heating up, 68% of Americans felt this way; in 1995, the numbers were virtually identical. (But) an American must ask: To what end is this hegemony intended? In 1992, a leaked Pentagon planning document That question was singularly evident at *Continued on next page America: What should be done with all that power? *Continued from previous page argued that the US must "discourage the advanced industrial nations (i.e. Germany and Japan) from challenging our leadership or even aspiring to a larger regional or global role." What was good for America, it seemed, was good for the world. To fulfill America's obligations in this respect, the US was to "retain the pre-eminent responsibility for addressing... those wrongs which threatened not only our interests, but those of our allies or friends, or which could seriously unsettle international relations." When this thinking became public, defence mandarins were ordered to revise the document. But even the 1998 defence budget reflects an American military designed to keep order in the world. "Where the American arsenal was once directed primarily against the Soviet Union," Ronald Steel, author of Temptations of a Superpower, has written, "it would now be directed against everybody.." Marking the 50th anniversary of the Marshall Plan, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright declared that "no nation in the world need be left out of the global system we are constructing." She assured "every nation that seeks to participate" that it would have "America's help in finding the right path." But just what is that "global system?" What is the "right path" to it? The architects of the post-World War 11 American order - Truman, Acheson and Marshall- responded to clear challenges: fears of a return to the begger-thyneighbour economic competition among the industrial powers in the 1930s, Soviet expansionism in Eastern Europe, the dangers inherent in akrevived and rearmed Germany. They therefore constructed a global economy, the Britton Woods system, based on free trade and stable monetary values; spent US$17 billion to revive Western Europe under the Marshall Plan; erected a Western security system in NATO; and at home, committed the reform themselves to an expansionary economy and full employment, and to the task of completing the reforms of the New Deal to establish a more equitable society. Saddam Hussein - under American threat Today, the challeges are less evident, but they will doubtlessly arise in part from the consequences of American predominance. Will NATO expansion mark its decline or herald a broader, pan-European security organisation? Will global free trade produce an economy of two global nations, the rich and the ever-growing poor? Is the US an Asian or merely a Pacific power? Is China a partner or an adversary? Is cultural conflict, so plain in Bosinia and on the periphery of the former Soviet Union, a legitmate US concern? What are American interests in the post-Cold War world? The task for the President and his Secretary of State is to define those abinding Rbi Boris Yeltsin - no country should seek hekemony, practice power politics, or * monopolise international relations interests. They must destinguish between the conflicting imperatives of unilateral action and consensus. Above all, Bill Clinton must spell out the nature of American power and purposes, as Theodore Roosevelt did so elequently a century ago. James Chace is the Henry Luce Professor in Freedom of Inquiry and Expression at Bard College and editor of the World Policy Journal. This article was first published in the Time issue of August last year, and we have published it almost as it was at this tinfe of the year when America is widely being seen as preparing for an attack on Iraq Hopefully, the article will help broaden your understanding of the American international policy-Editor. 0 The Management and staff of The People's Voice wishes The President and the First Secretary of ZANU PF a very happy 74th Birthday. We wish him many more ZIMBABWE NEWS VOL. 29 NO.

The last great frontier By Kul Bhushan frica has surged ahead in ecoA nomic and industrial growth in lthe last two years. Economic growth or Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Sub Saharan Africa accelerated from a meagre 2.4 percent from 1970 to around 4 percent in 1995-96. Reasons for this economic upturn are found in high commodity prices in world markets, good weather resulting in bumper harvest, dismantling of state controls, privatisation of inefficient state enterprises and currency devaluation. "Africa is the last great frontier for investment," said Ambassador Vijay Makhan, assistant secretary-general of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in an*exclusive interview with industrial Affica newsletter recently. "Africa has rich natural, mineral and human resources and no substantial investment in them compared to the developed regions of the world. So Africa has the highest potential for new investment especially with the new, emerging leadership and democratisation of this continent," he explained. He added: "For the last four decades, .the thrust of industriaisation has shown no results. Industrialisation is very light and superficial as it is confined to raw material processing whereas the continent has great potential because of its extensive resource base. "Africa is not doomed forever," he said, "Africa is awakening and conscious of its problems and the need to do for itself what others won't do for it. Our agenda is different as we know what our priorities are and what our people want. We must tell our partners in progress - and not aid donors - that they must understand each African region and each country and its unique priorities and then help us, without dictating to us, so that we can achieve our goals. "Africa is not on the world scene with a begging bowl. Africa has the determination to take its own destiny in its own hands." One of the building blocks of this new awareness is the African Economic Community which has been formed as a result of the Abuja Treaty to create a common market for Africa. here is no way ahead for Africa except to arrive on the global scene and for this our salvation is intra-Afrla cooperation and economic integration in order to speak with one voice in global fora. Paradoxically, regional economic integration is needed for globalisation and this is happening."Asked if fragile African economies could absorb huge investments, he replied, "Why not? Africa is the richest continent as far as realising its potential is concerned. We Africans have to capitalise on this disclosure, prevent ourselves from being balkanised and present ourselves as a single front in the global economic arena." Questioned about Africa's endemic corruption, he answered: "Corruption requires a corruptor and in most cases that big corruptor is not on the continent. We do not produce arms, we do not have the world diamond, gold or commodity markets, so who is interested in getting these commodities? Now, with the new African leadership and democratisation, corruption will be reduced if not eliminated." -- .0- Small traders hit hardest by riots By Elliot Mahende For the Denenga family, it was 12 years of hard work everyday, developing their retail outlets in Harare's south-western townships of Glen View, Mufakose and Budirro. Yet the four supermarkets were looted and destroyed in three days of madness by hordes of protesters venting their anger against a sharp increase in the cost of basic commodities. The Denengas' losses which ran into mil. lions of dollars was just a drop compared to the overall damage caused by Zimbabwe's worst riots in recent years in which losses to businesses in Harare, the epicentre of the riots, are estimated in hundreds of millions of dollars. But unlike some of the big supermarket chains which may be able to absorb the losses, black small scale retailers caught ZIMBABWE NEWS VOL. 29 NO. 2 -up in the riots face the hardest task of repairing damaged buildings and restocking. In fact, for many of the indigenous smallscale traders in the high-density suburbs, life may never be the same again after the riots. Like in revolutionary war situations, the riots had the effect of shifting the ownership of wealth away from the emergent black elite such as shop owners in the townships, but destroying the wealth with atavistic wantonness in a back-lash against Zimbabwe's sharpening class division. For the first time since independence from British rule in 1980, the government had to deploy troops into the townships to quell the violence and protect property. The rioters had alsQ-tarleted-Harae' s affluent suburbs but were checked by vigilante groups known as ne!ghbourhood watch committees. But it is the small family retail business, as much a victim of the tough economic conditions prevailing in Zimbabwe, that bore the brunt of the violence and which has the slim chance of recovery. "Unless the government comes up with something to help us," said George Muza, whose liquor outlet, a grocery and a butchery in Glen View 4 were looted, "many of us may never be able to rise again." The odds are stacked against the smallscale trader for any kind of Marshall Plan to be implemented to help them quickly repair damaged shop fronts and restock. *Conlinued on next page

HIV/AIDS and figures By Zvenyika Kambizi n the occason of World AIDS Day, December 1, 1997, the UN's World Health Organisation (WHO) said 20.8 million Africans - two-thirds of the global total - were either AIDS infected or living with HIV without knowing it. The joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS and WHO report said most of the victims were, reportedly, in subSaharan Africa. The damning report further claimed that the UN had, in the past, "grossly under- estimated" the number of Africans with HIV/AIDS, adding that about 4.6 million more Africans than previous calculations accounted for the vastly increased global total of 30 million. very few new cases noted during the past two years. At home, during the first week of February, the national news agency, ZIANA, said 1.4 million Zimbabweans had been infected with HIv since the first case was identified in 1985. Of these, the story said, 300 000 cases of full blown AIDS have been reported. Earlier, during the last week of January, 1998, a leading Sunday paper, attributing its story to a survey conducted by the Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU), said communal agricultural production had gone down by 50 percent due to HIV/AIDS. i-irst, it is not clear now the worl Hlealtn Reportedly, HIV-incidence in America Organisation, with all due respect, conand Europe, is coming down fast with vinced itself of having grossly underSmall traders hit hardest OContinued from previous page Insurance companies have already made it dear that they would not depart from the specific agreements covering losses. In any case, most of the insurance policies that small-traders have do not cover for damage or losses due to riots, terrorism or any politically-induced violence. The government has hinted at some kind of arrangement to help those business people who suffered damages and losses. due to the three-day riots, -but analysts say there is little that the government will be able to do given its unhealthy financial situation. The Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce, the representative body of most of the retailers, has organised a meeting to be held soon involving the government, representatives of the insurers and shop owners. "We want to seek ways of helping our members so that they can restore their operations to'what they were before the unfortunate incident," said'ZNCC president Danny Meyer. The ZNCC is also seeking clarification from the government on how it intends by riots to help those who suffered losses due to the riots. The government set up a four-member Cabinet ministerial task force chaired by Industry and Commerce Minister, Dr Nathan Shamuyarira to, among other considerations, look into how the government can help those businesses affected by the riots. The task force was still to make its recommendations, but the ZNCC, Meyer said, would have to start with its business advisory service unit where members may seek assistance on specific problems. While Meyer insisted that there would not be a blanket solution to the problems, there is, however, a blanket problem to its members: restocking and repair. What Meyer had in mind, like other retailers, was for suppliers to agree to extended credit for restocking and repair. But given that new stocks would have to be acquired at higher prices because of escalating costs while the angry township customers are snarling at any increase in price, some of the traders may never be able to make it back into business on their own - ZlANA. 0 estimated Africans with HIV/AIDS and the correctness of its latest figures. Secondly, to put it in the words of New Africa deputy editor, Baffour Ankomah, if the African "sufferers" themselves do not know they are infected, how did the UN know that these Africans, (nine out of ten HIV victims) are infected.. Or were these Africans infected by WHO itself through the many programmes it coordinates such as immunisation? Three' years ago (1995), Minister of Health and Child Welfare, Dr Timothy Stamps, admitted giving wrong figures to David Bereford, a correspondent of The Gurdian, in an interview published on April 6, 1995. In the interview, the Minister had put HIV-incidence at 25 percent, with the military said to be 60 percent infected. When correcting himself to the same correspondent, Minister Stamps said the figures were based on a survey done at an antenatal clinic in a run down area patronised by single women. Similarly, the army survey was carried out among troops attending a clinic for sexually transmitted diseases. He added that the correct situation was that HIV incidence was at between 5 and 7 percent, of which a fifth were children under-five. The Minister then put full blown AIDS cases'at 30 000. Why the figures had been based on an antenatal clinic in a run down area in the first place, or worse still, a clinic for sexually transimitted diseases still raised questions though. The ZFU survey, however, foccused on production levels of households that had lost a bread-winner - looking at the situation before and after the death of the head of the household. A total of 500 families across rural Zimbabwe were surveyed, according to a ZFU official. The same official said it was amongst the 500 families that agricultural production was noted to have gone down by 50 percent. But, how did ZFU researchers manage to distinguish the HIV/AIDS victims from those who died of other illnesses? "Well," said the official, "we got our information from health and environmen*Continued on next page ZIMBABWE NEWS VOL 29 NO. 2

Africa poised for better times re African leaders now determined to shed off the traditional image of chaos,ethnic conflicts, dictator ship, corruption, poverty and disease that has plagued the continent despite political independence for colonialism? Over the years as the continent,indergoIng political and economic changes, By Patrice Mokova sought solutions to stability, the scapegoat to problems has been the colonial legacy, with leaders expecting solutions from external sources. But a recent economic summit in Kampala, Uganda, during which leaders from 12 countries engaged in self--critical analysismay provide a new freshness and drive if the resolutions do not gather HI V/A IDS and figures OContinued frorn previous page tal technicians deployed to the districts by the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare." Questlim "But could the technicians be precise on the cause of death?" Answer "Well, they are at least, not laymen. Besides they look at the symptoms." Questim- "Do these technicians visit all the sick in the district then?" Answer "I don't know but I suppose they visit most of them." Given the complexity of HIV/AIDS,it is indeed hard to believe that '0' Level graduates,enrolled for three- year diploma courses at the two multi-disciplinary schools in Gwanda and Gweru could, after graduation, be the best placed sources for such data. Yet estimates are dished out to the unsuspecting public with such candour and emphasis that in the final analysis, they are taken for' facts. For, it is clear that full blown AIDS cases are nowhere near the 300 000 figure as was recently said How could they jump tenfold in less than three years? It is,howeverbecoming clearer by the day, that racism is rife vis-a-vis HIV/AIDS figures in Africa,just as much as there is also an element of mischief. Another emerging point is commercialisation of the disease for monetary gains. Continuum, a London-based NGO magazine dedicated to providing information for the the fuller understanding of HIV/AIDS said on December 1, 1997: "Prejudice drives HIV test results.It has been confirmed that HIV antibody test labs use'risk'factor information before deciding on results. If the individual falls into any of the 15 or more 'highrisk'categories, (including being gay, bisexual, a prostitute or from a developing country) an 'interminate' result may read as HIV- positive. An Iranian doctor domiciled in the USA, was quoted by Baffour Ankomah in an article on WHO's HIV/AIDS figures in Africa as saying: "Unfortunate to the extreme is the commercalisation of the AIDS idea ...by joining so many disease conditions by the acronym AIDS, and by getting the public to think of AIDS as a single disease produced by a slow virus, my colleagues in this branch of research are doing a disservice to mankind. They sharply deviate from the truth, and in the process, secure more research funds,sell more test kits and promote the sell of poisonous chemicals that accelerate the deterioration of the health of those treated." In the face of the above, it becomes imperative on the part of African journalists to sample carefully, information on HIV/AIDS with regards to the conti. nent. The drive by the AIDS Establishment to create a condom and HIV/AIDS drug cocktail market in Africa must be counter~l and attacked with the contempt it deserves. Africa has enough problems without the m-IV/AIDS top of the list tag and, has certainly had enough of the 'hell-fire' gospel which turned her many children against their tradition and customs. Having said that, African governments must seriously embrace the idea that charity begins at home. Funding to such spiritually-rich institutions as traditional medicine must become real and vigorous. El dust in their offices as has been the case with previous high sounding summits. The two-day brain-storming sessions were attended by the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Botswana, South Africa, Zambia and the World Bank. The leaders representd 47 percent of sub-Saharan Africa's 600 million people. The sessions focussed on Africa's econormic future, investing in infrastructure, building of human resources, maintenance of public resource flows, conflict resolution and post-conflict reconstruction. The forum also discussed the role of the World Bank and examined areas of cooperation in the light of changing realities and challenges facing the continent. The World Bank and other international financial institutions have in the past been accused of dictating terms of economic reforms to developing countries, instead of being partners. The World Bank the largest source of multilateral development finance to the continent, provides a yearly investment of well over Z$30 billion' in various projects. It currently supports 500 projects on the continent, worth about Z$324 billion. Zimbabwe's Finance Minister, Cde Her. bert Murerwa,said the discussions with World Bank president James Wolfenson, which were dosed to the media,were frank. A Ugandan official said leaders even admonished each other over political and economic mistakes and suggested corrective measures. "The press and all other people were bared from attending the proceedings because leaders did not want to wash their dirty linen in public, or worse still sound warning bells to each other," he said. Ugandan Trade and Commerce Minister Richard Kaijutsu issued a communique which identified several constrains inhibiting development of the continent. These include poor priorities of development needs, bureaucracy and ineptitude *Continued on next page ZIMBABWE NEWS VOL. 29 NO. 2

The 21st February Movement hen the Twenty First February WMovement was founded on the 21st February, in 1986, its incepti coincided with the 60th birthday of First Secretary and President of ZANU PF, then Primier Cde. Robert Gabriel Mugabe. Ever since, the event has been commemorated annually both to mark the Movement and to also celebrate Cde. Mugabe's birthday. Much of the speeches and ceremonies have encouraged particularly the youth to emulate Cde. Mugabe's exemplary behaviour of sefiesnvess, patriotism and perseverance in his endeavours. These have been worthy ideas on which to focus the anniversaries of the Twenty First February Movement. However, the focus should move beyond the personal and official achievements of President Mugabe and encompass a much more inclusive approach vz-a-viz the broad spectrum of society with particular reference to family, traditional society, educational institutions, the ZANU PF political party, agricultual sector, commerce and industry and the entertainment world etc. Twenty First February Movement has essentiany the Team Zimbabwe concept. This inclusive approach inspires all the citizens to appreciate that far more common and diverse individual and sectoral characteristics unite us instead of creating divisions among us. The Twenty First February Movement is a rallying point for the estimated 11 000 000 Zimbabweans. In moving forward all people of influence in society and all ordinary people need to look back and adopt those elements of our culture that have developed and nurtured us to our current state of civic order of development while at the same time looking ahead with sufficient vision of adhering to the positive aspects of our culture and historical traditions that can guide us towards a better quality of life for all people in the next millennium. At the end of the day development, respect of the elderly among other notions we cherish very much, have far more sub- *Continued from previous page public sector reform and good and inadequate levels of manpower as evidenced by poor health and education indicators. ',small and fragmented internal markets, lack of access to western markets, heavy debt burden and lack of research and application if technology were also major inhibiting factors," said the communique. The leaders pledged to reverse these negative features as a first step towards the continent's long-term development strategy. They noted that lack of meaningful partnership between Africa and donos often led to identifying wrong development priorities. These include education and professiona) training, rural transformation, development of private sector infrastructure, conflict prevention and resolution, They undertook to correct existing imbalances in infrastructural development, remove trade barriers to strengthen economies and trade as equal partners. They called for the creation of an enabling en'ironment suitable for rapid economic, social and political development.But to achieve result, annual economic growth rates would have to rise to between seven and 10 percent instead of the current one to three percent for a continent with annual population growth rate of three percent., They urged the World Bank and other development partners to support states which were conflict-ridden to reconstruct their economies. They agreed to establish fresh long-term partnerships in which governments, the World Bank and other donors establish appropriate check points on progress. ZLANA E0 stance and meaning when on the ground, the quality of life of aD citizens keep on improving. This in essence is the bedrock or underlying theme of the Twenty First February Movements. But the development and better quality of life everybody talks about cannot just present itself to the nation as a God sent gift. It needs team spirit. So let's go to the very beginning, the role of the family for example. All heads of families i.e. parents must be willing to reassert their moral leadership, training authority and development of their children and those under their care. There is a lot of irresponsible behaviour going on among families and a lot such untoward occurences being perpetrated by a substantial percentage of heads of families, parents themselves. And as it often or inevitably happens parents will not own up and face up to their own shortcomings for the discomfort that their families will consequently endure. They will either blame the seating Government or ruling party (ZANU PF) or both. This is a tragedy which the Twenty First February Movement has to wrestle with in order to eradicate such moral irresponsibility. Even before I write any further on this subject it is already apparent that if children are being exposed to and taught insincere approaches to social aspects that they face daily and affect their lives the Team Zimbabwe spirit we hear at so many conferences and seminars is far from materialising. But all hope is not lost thanks to the Twenty First February Movement. The Movement is challenging the Family to reassert its positive facets of inculcating timeless virtues of honesty, industry, accountability patriotism respect for the law, integrity, restraint, justice, fair play etc. If children have exposure to these values and internalise them, foundations of real Nation Building would be strong. One example which showed the absence of moral fortitude in large parts of Ha\ rare and elsewhere in the country was *Continued on next page ZIMBABWE NEWS VOL. 29 NO. 2

The 21 st February Movement *Continued from previous page how in mid January, 1998, the notion of fear, mass intimidation and misinformation was used to grind industry and commerce and other normal business to a halt due to fear of destruction and/or looting of property, and /or physical harm to people or both. If people broadly accept accountability for their actions it would have been socially impermissible to destroy and loot private property (stores and butcheries) of struggling emergent indigenous business people during the food riots whose leader(s) incidentally did not want to identify themselves presumably because they knew the means they chose betrayed any cause which might have been there and were not sustainable. Cde. , the Minister of Home Affairs was left with no option but to invite reinforcements from the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) in order to assist the police who could not cope with the scale of the unrest, partly due to inadequate transport for rapid response. The Government decision to call in the army was correct to save society from artificial strife even if they knew western countries and media would condemn the Government response to the unrest. But in peacetime nobody could have ex. pected the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to be unusually beefed up because much of the money would be channelled to the Health, Education and Agricultural sectors. Vigilance is another factor which is a hallmark of the ZANU PF Party cadre. As Cde. , the National Secretary for Administration explained at a Press Conference following a Politburo meeting there was reason to believe that other elements of society with political motives such as those who contested and lost elections might have thought that the unrest provided them with the fertile ground to destabilise the largely, peaceful political atmosphere in the country. He warned such negative people to desist and abandon such violent agendas. People can always want and contest polls at the next opportunity. The will of the politburo as explained by Cde. Mutasa can only have the desired positive impact on the country if all the ZANU PF party cadres continue to abide by the ideals of the Twenty First Febru- ary Movement which were enunciated by His Excellency Cde. R.G. Mugabe at the founding of the Movement itself twelve years go. Educational institutions particularly schools have a critical role in shaping the youths 9f today under their care to be good citizens of tomorrow who will lead society to greater heights of civic stability and national development. Schools must drive home the view that in order to be followed by those the future leaders would lead tomorrow, all youths must as of now be willing followers of those who are currently in the lead in all the broad spectrum of society. While no attempt is taken to discourage the articulation of grievances, it is, however, necessary to stress that all normal procedures should be adhered to in all cases across the various socioeconomic, cultural, educational spectrum etc in order to avoid chaos and disintegration of whatever entity is the subject of dispute. Captains of industry and commerce are an important component of Team Zimbabwe as viewed from the perspective of the Twenty First February Movement since they interface with various levels of their labour force and are well positioned to anticipate the impact or effect that workers experience as a result of the economic decisions that companies take. Companies will know whether certain levels of rise in prices of goods especially the basic commodities can be afforded by the workers or not. Where workers cannot afford certain projected price increases.it would be prudent to postpone or shelve such increases altogether unless if the intention is to turn such workers' into destitution. Even if the country had decided to permit market forces to set prices, a commodity producer who believes in Team Zimbabwe and the vision of the Twenty First February Movement will find it helpful to liaise with Government first to sound out the opinion of the State before applying such increases. It is not good. enough to expect Government to single handedly create the investment and business/thriving economic environment comprising among others of sociopolitical stability when important economic variables such as prices are effect- ed even behind government's back and then to expect government alone to again sort out any mess that could arise. The Twenty First February Movement aims at developing a drug and alcoholabuse free society. Alcoholism and drug abuse are a cancer that will consume the creative potential of our nation and that will undoubtedly retard the development momentum of the country. The fight against alcoholism and drug abuse can form part of the agenda at the meetings of the various' levels/organs of the Party. It is known that idleness is the devil's perfect workshop. in commemorating the Twenty 'First February Movement, all authorities with social influence need to rededicate themselves to creating conditions and.opportunities that occupy minds of all those under their care in a healthy and positive manner so as to keep away and even, eliminate the disastrous consequences of drug abuse, alcoholism and other -social vices. The efforts of the First Lady Cde. Grace Mugabe in ridding the streets of homeless kids and giving the same a new start in life is very exemplary and deserves, widespread support. Another approach of strengthening and ensuring that the Twenty First February Movement enjoys.the concept of an all inclusive society is to strengthen its institutional framework by creating a permanent secretariat and non-executive governing council that will guide the Movement and approve development projects.. Some of the land that will be designated and acquired by government can be allocated to the Twenty First February Movement to enable the Movement to engage-in farming, skills training etc. The Twenty First February Movement is full of ideals most of which were reflected in the virtue of President R.G. Mugabe through his love to family, Party, Government and the nation. However, the responsibility of promoting the qualities of the Movement should not be confined to President Mugabe. All other social actors in civic society have a role to play to ensure that every Zimbabwean be it a child or adult industrialist has the opportunity to develop their potential to the full and to play their role in the affairs of the state thereafter. 10 ZIMBABWE NEWS'VOL. 29 NO. 2

US Criticised for failure to push Netanyau I By Sakher Abu el-Oun alestinians slammed the United States last January for failing to pressure Israel on West Bank with drawals, But rightwing settlers praised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyau's hardline stance. Palestinians warned they would return to "full resistance" against Israel if talks held in Washington failed, following Netanyau's rejection of proposals by US President Bill Clinton to break the 10-month deadlock in the peace process. -[he US administration must take a strong, serious policy to force Israel to stick by its commitments. If not, it is not fulfilling its role as a sponsor of the peace process," said Palestinian negotiator Hassan Asfur. "But so far we have not seen this. When it comes to Israel, the United States does not act like a great power," Asfur told A P. Clinton.ind Netanyau held two meetings in Washington on Tuesday, January 20, but Netanyau rejected a US proposal for a promised Israeli troop withdrawal in the West Bank, a senior US official said. Palestinian leader, Cde Yasser Arafat met on Thursday, January 23, with Clinton. The United States is tryingto convince Netanyau to hand over some 11 to 14 percent of the West Bank in return for written Palestinian commitments to step up action against anti-Israeli militants, the Israeli daily, Haaretz, said. But Netanyau "refused to budge" from his plan for a smaller withdrawal, his aides said.. Netanyau is prepared to accept a maximum withdrawal of around nine percent, and only after the Palestinians fulfil strict demands on security issues which Arafat's officials have already rejected. A Palestinian official warned that failure of the Washington talks meant there was no option "for the Palestinians and Arabs but total resistance, backed by international law, to librate our occupied land". "We are prepared to make whatever sacrifices are needed because we are in a struggle for existence. We had hoped to reach peace by peaceful means, but we are not going to accept more settle- ment and more occupation," said Abdel Rahman. Palestinians have insisted Israel conduct a three-phase West Bank withdrawal in accordance with self-rule accords which the Palestinians say should give them control of over 90 percent of the West Bank by later this year. Backed by the United States, they also demand Netanyau call a halt to settlement construction in'the West Bank. The United States seeks to end the 10-month deadlock and bring the two sides into accelerated negotiations over a final peace accord, which the Palestinians want to give them a state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip ZIANA-AFP. [0 Pele on World Cup winners By Tendayi Ndemera razilian soccer legend, Edison Arantes di Nascimento, better known as Pele, picked champions Brazil and host nation France as favourites to win this year's World Cup. "Germany and an improving England could also do well in the championship, "Pele said recently in an interview monitored on the web. "Brazil will have a strong team. They have a lot of new players playing in European conditions," he said. "And the team from France now is also a very good team, even stronger than the team I've seen before. I think the World Cup will go to either one of these two teams. "Teams from other continents lack the experience to even reach the semifinals," added Pele, who earned three World Cup winners' medals in his illustrious career. Pele, who last year visited Kuala Lumpur where he addressed a seminar on Asian soccer, also spoke of the need for Asian nations to challenge the world's best if they wished to become a force in world soccer. "You don't become world champions unless you challenge the best. For the immediate future, top European and South American nations will continue to dominate the game. These are the teams that Asian countries have to play if they are to put in a real challenge for the World Cup," he said. . But Pele believes the region will play a key role in the future of the game. "The awarding of World Cup 2002 to Korea and Japan and, only last year, Malaysia's hosting of the World Youth Championships, is testimony to Asia's growing stature in the game." The World Youth Cup was staged in Malaysia in June last year. Back home as Minister of Sports, Pele said he was looking into problems cloudng the future of professional soccer in Brazil. "We have excellent players, excellent teams in Brazil but unfortunately the administration is so bad. I have proposed a new law in the Congress on the administration of professional soccer in Brazil. "We want to prepare for the future be cause at the moment the top adminis. tration in Brazil is very bad... a lot of corruption," he claimed. Only last year in June, president of Brazilian soccer club Atletico Parananense and a former Brazilian Football Confederation refereeing director were banned for life following a corruption scandal. The dub was suspended for 300 days. Pele also criticised the current crop of soccer stars for playing only for the money. He saidplayers changed clubs frequently, playing for the highest bidder. "1 played 25 years for Santos (a Brazilianclub) and five years for Cosmos in the United States of America. I had a lot of offers to play in Europe but I stayed with Santos. "Today, you see the players, they play one year here and the next year they want to move because they are going to get more money from another club. I think this is not fair and this is the point you must discuss," Pele urged. 0 ZIMBABWE NEWS VOL. 29 NO. 2

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