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Zimbabw Official Organ of ZANU PF - I Contents Editorial Letters National News Foreign News Cover Story Feature Document Book Review Obituary Nigerian military condemned ...... What to with the banks ...... Restructuring essential for success of congress ...... Energy project tenders evaluated ...... Economy to grow by two percent ...... Committees to prepare for National Congress ...... Labour officers urged to assist workers ...... SADC warns Zimbabwe on maize stockpile ...... President speaks to BBC's frost ...... Foreign investors scramble for shares ...... S;truggle for survival exposes many to mercury poisoning...... No rushing into COM ESA ...... Briton wins Nobel prize for medicine ...... Hong Kong Chinese going to South Africa ...... New treatment halves paralysis deaths ...... London to New York - overland ...... Malawi on the road to democracy ...... More objects" found beyond Neptune ...... Zambia faces acute socio-economic problems ...... Monks were hooked on fish ...... FAQ priority is food self-sufficiency ...... Future UN operations in Somalia ...... , . Canada's policy change towards Southern Africa ...... Commonwealth ratifies resolutions ...... North-South unity against desertification elusive ...... Crim e does not pay ...... Tracking sperm traffic...... Zimbabwe transforms constitution ...... Momentum builds against explosives ...... Limassol statement on the Uruguay Round ...... ; ...... Lady Thatcher's memoirs and Africans ...... Melchoir Ndadaye. was a symbol of new Burundi ...... 0uER Zimbabwe News is the official Organ of the Zimbabwe Afrcan National Union IZANU PF and is produced on the authority of the central Committee by the Department of Information and Publicity, Jongwe Printing and Publishing Co., No. 14 Austin Road, Workington, Harare. World Copyright, Central Committee [ZANU PFI.. Editorial Council: Cde. N.M. Shamuyarira Cde. C.C. Chimutengwende Cde. C. Ndhlovu Cde..S. Kachingwe Cde. A. Sikhosana Cde. M. Munyati.

Nigerian military condemned THE Nigerian military is back in power again. In the last 32 years of independence, the military has ruled for 22 years. It appears that the chances of creating lasting democratic institutions, controlled and influenced by the people of Nigeria, are rather remote. General Sani Abacha, who took power in November, has been involved in many of the military coups that have taken place in Nigeria. He is the seventh military ruler to impose himself on the Nigerian people. He comes from the northern region. General Abacha's strategy appears to finally kill the June 12 general election which was won by Chief Moshood Abiola but annuled by General Babangida. Abacha has appointed several Abiola supporters to his cabinet, including Mr. Baba Gana Kingibe as Minister of External Affairs, and the well known publisher, Mr. Alex Ibru, as Minister of the Interior. It is not clear why these people have accepted the appointments. The new military government of Nigeria has been condemned by most governments in the world including the United States of America (USA), the United Kingdom (UK) and the European Economic Community (EEC). Several African governments have also expressed their displeasure. Sanctions have been imposed and the Paris Club was expected to discuss cessation of aid to Nigeria at their meeting last December. D ZIMBP E E 193 geg A i ~he front-page leading article in The IPople's Voice made sad reading. it was about the sad plight of black businessman whose loan applications are being routinely turned down by financial institutions (banks, insurance houses, pensions funds and building societies). I am a ZANU PF cadre and wish to see our people entrench themselves in the economy. The ruling Party, ZANU PF, unflinchingly pursues the policy of building a nonracial society in Zimbabwe. This policy is embodied in President R.G. Mugabe's welknown philosophy of reconciliation. The detractors of this philosophy are deliberately misinterpreting the content of this philosophy as meaning a mere call to both blacks and whites to forget Equality can only come about as te result of applying policies of promoting the welfare of the disadvantaged majority and containing the further enrichment of the already rich minority. Financial institutions are the only medium through which the economic empowerment of the disadvantaged majority can be realised. In the operations of the economy of a country, financial institutions act along lines similar to the functions of the heart and liver in the human body. The heart supplies blood to the rest of the organs by pumping it through arteries and as the blood washles away impurities, it carries them to the liver where the blood is purified and sent back to the heart to be re-pumped through the arteries, thus completing a cycle. the past, forgive one anotner and carry Similarly, the banks mobilise idle moneon business as usual. .tary resources in the form of clients' sayThe true meaning of reconciliation is the ings and current accounts. Through another channel, this money is loaned building of a non-racial new Zimbabwe t er ha re in nee i for through a deliberate strategy of abolish- to borrowers who are in need of it for ing institutionalised racial inequalities, various economic activities. When borThe philosophy is to be implemented repractically ed loans by banks, they through deliberate economic empower- out thei planed oomcatii mernt of historically disdavantaged out their planned economic activities. blaean ofnistrically diesataed Thus, when banks deny blacks loan fablacks and constricting the accustomed ciities, they are practically preventing advantages aid previleges of the white them from carrying out their planned community- The aim is to end up with economic activities. This keeps blacks on equal opportunities for both races, the margin of economic life in society. It is a weird suggestion to imply that In practical terms, this practice by the equality is a spontaneity between liber- ' banks is a veiled continuation of the raated slaves and their former masters. cism of the past. Banks are giving two spurious excuses for not giving loans to blacks. The first excuse is that there is no money to give because of the liquidity problems currently being experienced in the country. But, why did they not give loans to blacks in the past when there were no liquidity problems? In a recent news item, a reporter of The Herald wrote that a property developer,. Micobe Property Development, is to spend $1 billion on the development of Hollywood-style facilities for the superrich at Borrowdale Brooke Estate along crowhill Road. if the banks have no money to give black businessmen, from where, on earth, and why did they get this very colossal sum of money for the pleasure of the super-rich? It has been an open secret that big companies whose shareholders are only whites have exclusive access to public pension funds which they borrow at ridiculously low interest rates for long term periods. Blacks are denied access to these pension funds. I suggest that the relevant Parliamentary Committee initiates legislation to empower the Reserve Bank to effect panalties on financial institutions proved to be avoiding the implementation of positive economic empowerment of the disadvantaged black majority. Leonard Nyamusora Chitungwiza ZIMBABWE NEWS DECEMBER, 1993 Letters to the Editor should be short and to the point. Writers should include their full names although pen names may be used on request. Address your letters to: The Editor The Zimbabwe News 144 Union Avenue Harare ...... IDW...."66:11INaws i's printed and publii:hed. by ...... H arare ...... V ...... 1.4 Roadt, WoOdag ...... _ ...... _::::: ......

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Restructuring essential for success of congress pqhe success of the National PeoI-pie's Congress, the Women as well as Youth League conferences will depend on the success of the provincial elections and the strength of the preparation now underway. This was said by the President and First Secretary of ZANU PF, Cde. Robert Gabriel Mugabe when he addressed the Party's end of year National Consultative Assembly meeting at the Party headquarters in Harare on Saturday, 4 December, 1993. The following is the full text of his address: Comrades, Members of the National Consultative Assembly, I welcome you to our second meeting this year. You have come to this full of confidence in the Party, our Governmentand, of course, in yourselves. You exude the joy of our rural people who, this year, are in a much happier mood because of the good harvest of grain and other crops, the results of their hard labour, which they have harvested in most provinces. *You do also bring their anxieties about the slowness of our pace in beginning dam, road, bridge and other programmes and projects into many districts of our provinces. You no doubt also carry those great concerns about the serious urban housing situation we ha('e, the phenomenal rise in rents and rates, the unemployment situation now greatly exacerbated by numerous retrenchments undertaken throughout the sectors. There are very many. other concerns and problems you have and which you will, of course, present to this meeting in due course. It is precisely to enable you to present these problems that we have this forum of the National Consultative Assembly, and also an opportunity will, as usual arise for you, as representatives of the people in the areas from which you come, to speak on their behalf. Party organisation I wish, however, to remind you that the National Consultative Assembly, including as it does provincial leaders of all our provinces, should also address the subject of Party organisation and the state of your arrangements, that is, preparations, for the holding of the provincial conferences our Constitution requires us to hold. These Conferences should be held within the next four or five weeks so we can be satisfied that each and every province has now substantially completed its Party restructuring exercise. The holding of these Conferences should produce the following results for the Party: 1. Decisions by way of Resolutions on the Party, Government and national affairs that the provinces might wish to present to the Central Committee as recommendations to the National People's Congress; 2. Resolutions affecting the province which require action by province itself or by both the province and the Central Committee through the Politburo; and 3. Results of the elections held and the leadership line-up they have yielded. These should be submitted to the Politburo for recognition by the Central Committee. Party matters Comrades, the holding of our provincial conferences should be viewed primarily as an exercise affording the membership .of the Party's province an opportunity to express themselves on various Party matters, as indeed, also on govemmental issues. The provincial membership can only do so through their district representatives chosen as delegates to the Conference. We expect that these Conferences will, thus devote most of their time to discussing vital issues affecting the Party in both their provinces and the country as a whole. Naturally, after the deliberative programme is over, the Conferences should end up with an election of their new executive committees. Alongside the main provincial election, will be the elections, respectively, of the executives of the new provincial Women's and Youth Leagues. Whilst we recognise that these elections are not just vital but also demanded of the province under the Party's Constitution, we should equally recognise that they must be properly conducted. Candidates for them should be properly screened, without denying individuals who qualify to stand for them their right to do so. What we demand and expect of the candidates is the proper conduct of their own campaigns. Proper conduct of such campaigns can be marred by the adoption of irregular and untoward, if not outrightly dishonest anc irregular, methods of seeking to be elected. Currently, we-hear that some candidates in certain provinces are using money and goods to purchase votes from those provincial members they believe will be delegates to their Conference. It is not permissible at all to seek election in this disgraceful way, and those who have been guilty of such misconduct should immediately desist from it and prepare to present themselves in a more honest way as candidates on the strength of 'their good work, that is, the performance they have been capable of as members of the Party in the provinces, districts, and branches of the areas in which they reside and operate. I hope and trust that the provincial executive committees, supported by the provincial co-ordinating committees, will try to monitor the election campaigns currently underway in the various provinces and prevent the reported irregularities occurring in them. Provincial chairman Perhaps you now know that the Central Committee decided at its last meeting that, in order to trengthen the leadership of the provinces, it was necessary to make the chairman of the province also a member of the Central Committee. What this means is that any person who now gets elected as Chairman of the province will automatically become a member of the Central Committee. Members of the Central Committee, who are not also members of the Politburo, are now also allowed to stand for the Chairmanship of the province if they so desire. You will be aware, Comrades, that, after our provincial conferences are held, the Party' will start preparing for the Youth and Women's Conferences, and later, for the National People's Congress to be held next year. The Youth League conference is to be held in May, the Women's League Conference in July and the National People's Congress in September 1994. These two conferences and the National People's Congress will provide the Party, at a national and central level, with an opportunity, that Continued on page 6 ZIMBABW,. Nr P,E -. , 1993

Restructuring essential for success of congress 'Continued from page 5 comes only once in five years, to review its work and performance over the preceding five years, and to amend the Constitution of the Party where this is desired. Government policies and performance can also be critically examined at these fora with a view to establishing their efficacy and seeking ways of improving them.For these conferences and congress to succeed, it is desirable that our provincial Conferences first succeed. The success of the latter naturally depends on the strength of the preparations now underway. I am glad to hear that many of you, induding members of the Central Committee, are busily engaged in these preparations. I do hope, however, that the preparations are being undertaken in an organisational context in which our branch structures are thoroughly solid and have been established in that proper manner which takes into account the number of branches needed to.constitute a district organ.. Good agricultural season Comrades, I referred at the beginning to -the joy we have over the last good agricultural season we had last year and to the hard work demonstrated by the rural people. I wish, in the light of last year's experience, to urge you to encourage the rural people you represent here to work hard again this year. We are glad-that the rains have started very well and given us the hope that we can this year repeat our excellent performance of last year. The high rate of unemployment that now exists in both our urban and rural areas could certainly be ameliorated if some youths are involved in agriculture, either through family units or through co-operative groups. Land must be used as a resource to provide viable employment. Of course, land alone without the necessary means with which to till it, will be land put to waste. I am glad that Government has now formulated plans to create medium-sized dams in the districts of our provinces. I trust, therefore, that money will be made available for this important programme which will provide an irrigation infrastructure that is bound to revolutionise agriculiture in the rural provinces, create greater employment and enable higher incomes to be earned in the rural areas. Water, more and more water, is vital not only for the success of agriculture but also for numerous .domestic and industrial purposes. If our planned growth points are to succeed, they need abundant water. Finally, I wish, on behalf of the Party, and on my own behalf as President and First Secretary of the Party, to wish you all the people you represent a very merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous 1994. Let us all look forward to a new year in which our Party will transform in its vigour and dynamism and our nation will prosptr more. I thank you! Enrg prjc edr vlae T Cabora Bassa/Zimbabwe interconnector Project Steering Committee (PSC) has completed the technical and price evaluation of tenders for the construction of the link between Mozambique and Zimbabwe estimated to cost US$72 million. The interconnector will bring up to 500 megawatts from Mozambique. Project consultants Swedpower in cooperation with Norconsult International made the presentation to the PSC at a meeting held in Harare last month and they submitted their final report incorporating the suggestion of the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) to the two utilities. The five man PSC is co- chaired by Zimbabwe's Director of Energy, Cde. Cornelius Mzezewa and EdM's Director of Planning Mr. D.J. Nicolau. ZESA's Generation Director, Cde. Sam Nhavira, is also a member. Two chairman of the project working groups, responsible for the day to day running of the project in each utility, are co-opted members. Tenders, advertised in March 1993, closed last July, and were divided into three components: 9 the extension of the Dema and Bindura substation. * the extension of the Songo Supstation in Mozambique * the construction of 347km of 420kv transmission line in Mozambique and Zimbabwe. It is expected that the contracts will be awarded by early next year- and that work should start immediately. afterwards. Meanwhile, the PSC will make a follow up on bilateral and multilateral financial offers to fund the-project. The president-of the European Investment Bank, Sir Brian Unwin, while on a visit to Zimbabwe recently indicated that his bank was interested in undertaking the technical appraisal ZESA's proposed link with Cabora Bassa. Meanwhile, the US$32 million refurbishment works at the old thermal stations at Harare I1 and III and Munyati Power Station are now expected to be completed by September 1994. Overhauling of turbine number Two at Harare Power station III will be completed sometime after September 1994. The refurbishments will-result in the units giving a firm 120 rnegawatts. The offices of the contractor's (ABB Stal/Babcock Construction Consortium) and the consultants (Swed Power) are now fully established. Some 18 ZESA engineers will actively participate in the technology transfer programme conducted by both the contractor and consultant. Workshop and erection equipment has been shipped from Europe and will arrive at the sites before the end of November 1993. The main contractor's site works were expected to commence by midDecember, 1993. The overhaul of the overhead crane at Munyati Power Station and other preparatory works are in progress. ZESA staff have started work on Harafe II Power Station Boiler No. 9 and TurboAlternator set No. 6. on Harare Ill Power Station Turbo-Alternator Set No. 2 and Boiler No. 3 and on Munyati Power Station Boiler No. 6 and the Coal and Ash Plant. The Minister of Trasport and Energy, Mr. Dennis Norman, visited the Munyati Power Station on Wednesday 10th October 1993 to update himself on operational issues including the current refurbishment programme. The Minister stated that he was impressed by the progress made so far and by the general operations at Munyati Power Station. El ZIMBABVAK-fW wfi- - ' . _993

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Economy to grow by 2 percent- President he President, His Excellency Cde. R.G. Mugabe on Thursday, November 25, 1993 presented his Sixth State of the Nation Address to Parliament in Harare. He pointed out that the economy is expected to grow by two percent largely due to the recovery of the agricultural sector. The following is the full text of his address: Mr. Speaker and Members of Parliament of the Republic of Zimbabwe: it gives me great pleasure, indeed, to be here with you, once more, to deliver this Sixth State of the Nation Address at a time when the Nation has largely recovered from the effects of the 1992 drought. The drought-induced regional recession which had resulted in the GDP falling by eight percent has been overcome by the good rain reason to a large extent, though the effects of the international recession have yet to be overcome. As a result, the economy is expected to grow by two percent in real terms. This performance is attributed mainly to the recovery of the agricultural sector. The inflation rate is expected to drop significantly to twenty two percent. This fall in the rate of inflation and anticipated decline in rates of interest will soon provide enough leeway for tle creation of a significant turn- around of the economy. Other productive sectors have experienced mixed fortunes. The performance of the mining sector has been adversely affected by the low prices of mineral products on the world market, high interest rates and high cost of importing equipment. Particularly affected are nickel and ferrochrome due to oversupply by some producer countries, especially the Commonwealth of Indepen-. dent States, but gold and asbestos have managed to weather these effects. As a result, the sector is expected to register a negative growth rate. The manufacturing sector, on the other hand, is expected to realise a fall of 10 percent due to the depressed level of domestic demand and the unfavourable interest rates we have operated under for the greater part of the year. Though we are beginning to experience a respite, it will not impact on this year's performance. Cde. President R. G. Mugabe backs largely due to the shortage of building materials and the resultant soaring prices, this year, the situation appears to be easing off. This is mainly because of the provision of resources in the form of housing finance and foreign exchange for the importation of plant, equipment, building materials and spares. Housing continued to play a pivotal role in the improvement and provision of housing in both the urban and rural areas. We have embarked on a massive house construction programme for both the middle and low income groups. The impact has been enhanced by the new and efficient management systems that have been adopted as well as innovative house designs and layout plans. Consequently, we have seen quick delivery of housing units at affordable prices. Already, more than 2 200 units have been completed and another 2 000 are under construction. Government has also undertaken the upgrading of sub-standard housing in all urban centres. Noteworthy is the current rehabilitation of old and dilapidated units in high density suburbs. However, Government's efforts have been limited by the shortage of finance. I am therefore appealing to the pnvate sector to enter into joint ventures with government or local authorities in both construction and servicing of stands for middle and low income families. . The agricultural sector is anticipated to grow by 35 percent following the good rain season. Furthermore, the incentives which the Government provided to the farming community through the agricultural recovery programme have resulted in very good harvests. This not only ensured the amailability of ade ate Realising the gravity of the housing situation in the country, Government has Continued on page 9 Despite the fact that the construction Government has embarked on a massive house conqtruction programme for middl sector has been experiencing some set- and low income groups LUVI, .. ","--- _1993 l|lfl A r-- ......

Economy to grow by 2 percent - President Continued from page 8 food to our people but raw material inputs for the agro-based industries. For example, this year total maize production is believed to stand at 2.4 million tonnes. So far 1.3 million tonnes have been delivered to the Grain Marketing Board. This is exclusive of what has gone straight to private millers and what individuals might have retained for own consumption. This meets our requirements for the year and any surplus we have may eventually go towards reducing the food deficit in the region. Likewise, the cotton credit scheme contributed to an almost full scale recovery of cotton production in the 1992/93 season, realising as we did a cotton production of 204 470"tonnes, the small- holder growers accounting for 70 percent of the total cotton crop. It is encouraging to note that this was their second biggest delivery on record and that seed cotton deliveries soared to 205 000 tonnes compared to 60 000 tonnes in the previous year, as a result of which the Cotton Marketing Board was able to resume exports. Record tobacco crop As for tobacco, our main cash crop, the 1993 flue-cured tobacco sales season has witnessed yet another record crop of 215 million kilogrammes compared to 201 million kilogrammes last year. This is in addition to the 16.8 million kilogrammes of burley tobacco. It is gratifying to note that the Air Cured Tobacco Association has decided to open up the marketing of burley tobacco to enable more local buyers to participate in the purchase of the crop as from 1994. This year, the value of total tobacco exports is expected to be $2,3 billion again, largely because the prices which were realised at the start of the selling season were disappointingly low, though the situation improved with time. The low prices are attributed to the global over-supply of tobacco, due to increased production by the world's major prodters and the quality of the tobacco leaf. Farmers are urged to aim for quality tobacco if the country is to maintain its position as the third largest exporter of tobacco. Despite the negative effects of the drought on the beef industry, the year 1993 has registered significant success in beef exports to the EEC. By the end of August, we *had already fulfilled our quota of 9 100 tonnes and successfully applied for an additional quota of 5 142 tonnes. This will go a long way towards improving the Cold Storage Commission's (CSC) trading account. Notwith- V The Senior Minister of Finance, Dr. Bernard Chidzero standing these improvings, the Organisation has encountered some setbacks which have been attributed to low cattle throughput; cattle slaughter through the Commission's abattoirs is likely to decline from 377 531 to 255 000 head, representing a reduction of 32.5 percent on last year's figure. This poor peformance has seen the Cold Storage Commission's domestic market share going below 45 percent of the total beef market and its trading account remaining unsatisfactory. However, it is pleasing to note that the Cold Storage Commission's sister organisation, the Dairy Marketing Board, has registered very significant successes, bringing its trading account into balance. This is attributed mostly to the Chitungwiza Powder and Butter Factory which has boosted exports from a mere $4 million in 1991/92 to $30 million in 1992/93. This trend is expected to make the Dairy Marketing Board a fully viable commercial entity. Food relief As you will recall, Government continued to feed the nation up to the beginning of May this year when most people no longer required food relief. There were,, however, some pockets in the drought-prone areas in all provinces, where people did not harvest enough food or had had their crops destroyed by wild animals, which necessitated continued distribution of food relief. Statistics to date show that 864 641 people required such food relief, the majority being from the Matabeleland provinces and Masvingo. To ensure food security in these drought-prone areas, Government is encouraging people to resort to growing drought resistant small grains such as sorghum and millet. In addition, recognising the vulnerability of young children to malnutrition, Government made available a further $8 million this year to feed 450 000 children who continue to be at risk in some areas, even after the bumper harvest, as food security has not returned to normal levels. The main lesson drawn from the 1992 Agricultural Recovery programme was that given good rainfall, small holder farmers, if provided with adequate inputs, can be highly productive. This is why my Government, realising that most small-holder farmers have not fully recovered from the effects of last year's drought and that they managed to produce mainly for their own subsistence, has decided to extend the agricultural inputs package and tillage programme to the 1993/)4 agricultural season. The machinery has been put in motion to ensure that distribution of inputs and the tillage programme succeed. Farmers are already collecting their inputs. To maximise production, farmers are expected not only to match but also to exceed this Government assistance with own inputs. Livestock recovery The Agricultural Recovery Programme also lays particular emphasis on livestock recovery. With so many cattle having succumbed to last year's drought, a lot of effort has had to go into the rebuilding Qf the national herd. To this end, a total of 55 grazing schemes have been constructed and work on 89 new schemes is already underway. A vigorous restocking exercise was launched in the Matabeleland provinces and parts of Masvingo. The quest for more land by communal people cannot be over-emphasised. Currently, there are 180 000 people waiting to be resettled and it is quite clear that, in the short term, there cannot be adequate land to neet demand. Therefore, great effort must be put towards promoting orderly land acquisition and communal area reorganisation. To achieve this, there is need to ensure systematic acquisition of good land that is contiguous to communal areas and maintain cultural and social ties. During the past twelve months, 34 300 hectares of land have been acquired at a total cost of $12,8 million, bringing the Continued on page 10 ZIMBAw Ew-q 09GMRR 1993

Economy to grow by 2 percent - President Continued from page 9 ed by last year's drought. The investment climate changed significantly during the course of the year with the introduction of Foreign Currency Denorifnated Accounts (FCDA's) for resident and non-resident individuals; duty and tax exemptions for capital goods; new investment regulations; additional incen~tives for foreign direct investment, and the opening up of the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange to potential foreign investors. Government is establishing 144 grazing schemes in its livestock programmes total land acquired since Independence to 3,74 million hectares of land at a total cost of $116,9 million. It is planned that the resettlement programme be speeded up significantly after the current rain season. As land is designated and acquired it should be resettled systematically and put to full use in the service of the people. The people need the land and the people shall have it. We have also appointed a Land Tenure Commission to inquire into, and advise Government on, the most appropriate system of land tenure for our country. Water supply Throughout Zimbabwe, work has been underway to provide clean water supply for our people. Already, two medium-sized dams have been completed and six others will come on stream by the end of the year. This year, 1 854 boreholes were drilled throughout the country. A number of water supply stations have been established at various points, enabling the smooth running of public institutions such as schools, hospitals and clinics. Furthermore, following several complaints by beneficiaries, Government has established a Water Review Board to review the legislation governing the distribution of water tn various users. The nation continues to forge ahead with the implementation of the Economic Reform Programme, in spite of the transitional social hardships accentuat- Government is constructing medium size dams in its quest to supply clean water to the people 1854 boreholes have been drilled countrywide ZIC projects The year has seen the Zimbabwe Investment Centre approving projects worth $1 628 million. The bulk of these projects (52.9 percent) are accounted for by the mining sector, followed by the manufacturing sector with 33.9 percent, the commercial sector with 8.1 percent and the agricultural sector with 5.1 percent. This predominance of the mining sector is a reflection of the heightened level of interest foreign investors have shown in this sector, especially in the mining of diamonds, platinum and gold. It must be noted, however, that the benefits accruing to the economy, from these projects, may take long to materialise since a number of them have long gestation periods. Government is fully aware of the need to indigenise the economy and is currently negotiating a number of facilities, among them the World Bank facility of about US$30 million, the ZDB line of credit from the African Development Bank and the PTA line of credit to SEDContinued on page 11 ZIM 1M -- - A'""&W" Q993

Economy to grow by 2 percent - President Continued from page 10 Mining has been adversely affected by the low prices of mineral products on the world market CO. In this regard, special attention is being directed towards the development of small to medium scale enterprises through the SEDCO. It has since been agreed that SEDCO should be capitalised to'the extent of $500 million in the next five years. Already, a modest beginning has been made with a budget provision of $25 million in 1993/94 and additional funding will be obtained from external sources. In addition, Government directed the Construction Industry Federation of Zimbabwe to sub-contract between 7.5 percent and 15 percent of the contract value of new projects to members of the Zimbabwe Building Contractors Association. Parastatals reforms Reforms in the Public Enterprises have been progressing steadily, for instance, the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) has managed to maintain its deficit below $90 million in the 1993/94 financial year compared to $228 million in 1991 when parastatals reforms came into effect. This has been made possible by the measures that have been taken which include rationalisation of staff, with 1 100 staff having voluntarily retired by the end of .1993, and streamlining its activities, remaining with its core business as rail transportation. In addition, it has discontinued hiring wagons from Spoornet, a move that had been necessitated by the urgency to transport grain during the drought. perienced by the airline industry worldwide. It is nonetheless expecting to reduce its deficit to $20 million in the current fiscal year through a number of measures which should transform the corporation into-a more streamlined and efficient organisation. The Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority has taken measures to improve the situation in the energy sector. Funds have been secured for the upgrading of the Matimba transmission line from thei European Investment Bank and work is expected, to commence shortly. At Hwange Power Station, work on its refurbishment has commenced using funds that have been secured from the World Bank. To address the adverse effects of the Reform Programme, Government continues to implement measures designed to cushion the vulnerable groups. To this extent, $150 million has been allocated to boost the capital base of the Social Dimensions of Adjustment Programme. This brings the total amount so far allocated to the Social Development Fund (SDF) to $210 million. For instance, the education sector has, in 1993, drawn school frees for 117 000 needy children compared to 20 748 sponsored in 1992 Likewise, examination fees were orovided for 15 000 pupils compared to 757 last year. This measure has gone a long way towards alleviating the effects of the re-introduction of school fees and the escalation of examination fees due to the depreciation of the Zimbabwe dollar against major currencies. Retraining of retrenchees The Social Development Fund has also catered for the re-training of 3 227 retrenched workers. Many more are expected to benefit from this on-going exercise. Furthermore, $7 million has been allocated to fund 157 small-scale ptojects which include manufacturing, agiiculture, transport, mining, construc!ion, service and retailing, creating gainful employment. Government continues to lay emphasis on the reduction of morbidity and mortality of our people as well as the control of public health hazards. in this respect, the cholera incursion which affected 7 012 people resulting in 367 deaths called for concerted and collective efforts by all to contain it. Further more, in the light of the upsurge of diarrhoeal cases. we have improved the Continued on page 12 Air Zimbabwe has not been an excep- Air Zimbabwe is expected to reduce its deficit to $20 million in the currentfiscalyear tion to the financial problems being exZ . ir C cBMB,,E, . 1993 ' '1

Economy to grow by 2 percent - President continuedfrom page 11 level of awareness among the people by promoting personal hygiene. As regards the HIV/AIDS pandemic which continues to grow, Government is vigoriously pursuing the educational campaign started almost a decade ago. Government has made an additional provision of $560 million to be directed to the programme for the prevention and care of sexually transmitted infections. This amount will go towards purchase of drugs, diagnostic reagents, equipment and other requirements of the programme I have referred to. Foreign policy Zimbabwe's foreign policy thrust has been underpined by its growing participation in peace-keeping and mediation efforts, especially on the African continent. The year 1993 ushered in a new era of peace and hope as we witnessed the withdrawal of our Defence Forces from Mozambique and their replacement bv a United Nations Force contin- gent which will guarantee peace in that democratic elections scheduled for Apri,. country, untill elections are held. 1994 approach. In addition to our involvement in Angola, Somalia and Rwanda, Zimbabwe is now considering an OAU request that it participates in peace-keeping operations in Liberia, following the successful mediation of the Liberian civil war by the UN and OAU Special Envoys to Liberia, our former President, Professor Canaan Banana having been chosen as the OAU special envoy. Nearer home, we have, along with other members of the Commonwealth and the United Nations, lifted sanctions against South Africa and are ready to upgrade relations with that country rather soon. We have in the meantime opened our doors to the various South African political groups which believe that we can help push the democratic process forward. Regrettably, violence continues to stalk that countru as the first frilly Zimbabwe has also joined other member states in opening a SADC resident mission in South Africa to monitor political developments there. The work of that mission will greatly contribute to our appreciation of developments in that country. In conclusion, the year 1993 has seen an upturn in our fortunes. The turrent rain season appears to have begun well. Let us all put our shoulders to the wheel and our hands to the plough, both literally and figuratively, to ensure not only a prosperous 1994 but a future for our people and country. Allow me, therefore, to wish you, all Honourable members, and the entire Nation, a Merry Christmas and a very prosperous 1994. Thankyou. El Con mittes to vevr fo naioa congres he Party, ZANU PF has formed eleven committees to oversee preparations for the holding of the National People's Congress, the Youth League and The Women's League congresses. This move was announced in Harare by the President and First Secretary of the Party, Cde. Robert Gabriel Mugabe at a special briefing on Thursday, October 28. The Party also provisionally set May, July and September 1994 as the months in which the three congresses would be held. The following are the committees and their members: Security and Accreditation Cdes. ST. Sekeremayi (Chairman), M.E. Mahachi, D. Dabengwa, C. Dauramanzi, R. DhIlamini, C.I.T. Mutema, V.D. Jingura, E. Masawi, H.V. Moyana, M.M. Dube, G.R. Marange, C. Pasipamire and K. Bute. Organisation: Cdes. M.E Mahachi (Chairman), I.T Tungamirayi, Z. Matshaba-Hove, D. Dabengwa, R.C Hove, B.T.G. Chidzero, W. Mangwende, H. Moyana, S. Kachingwe, J.T.R Mujuru, T.V Lesabe, K. V Manyonda, S.). N Nkomo, S.K. Sibanda, E.C Chikowore, C. Chimutengwende, ST. Mujuru, D.IG. Karimanzira, T.K. Hungwe. Health Cdes. H.S.M Ushewokunze (Chairman) E. Xaba, G. Marimo, 0. Munyaradzi, F. Mnkombwe, S. Mombeshora, S. Zinyemba, S. Sakupwanya, A. Kabasa, E.K Masiyane, J.T Zvobgo, T.K Hungwe, J.K Choto. Transport and Welfare Cdes. W.H Mabhena (Chairman), E. Motsi, K. Matimba, KM Kangai, D. Mavhaire, R. Ndlovu, S. Malunga, M. Bhebe, E. Tongogara, M. Chivende, A.F Manungo, A. Kabasa. Finance Cdes. E.D. Mnangagwa (Chairman), K. Mohadi, J.H Dauramanzi, S.T Ndlovb, KS Vuma, E.C Kanengoni, 1,K Choto, S.G Mugabe, I. Mashonganyika, 0. Rushesha, V. Moyo, J. Kaparadza, S. Malunga, E. Mdlongwa. Documentation Cdes. J.L Nkotno (Chairman), E.J.N Zvobgo, N.M Mabhena, F. Chitauro, D.N.E Mutasa, T.K Hungwe, M.T.S Chinamasa, M.M Bhebhe, E. Chikuvanyanga, E.D Mnangagwa, C. Ndebele, C. Msipa, A. Mangwende, N.M Shamuyarira, S.K Sibanda, N.K Ndlovu, E. Madzongwe. Legal Affairs Cdes. E.J.M Zvobgo (Chairman), E.D Mnangagwa, P.A. Chinamasa, L. Senda, R. Austin, S.K.M Sibanda, C.U Ushewokunze, E. Ndebele. Entertainment Cdes. J.T.R Mujuru (Chairman), V.M Zvinavashe, Sikwili Moyo, O.M Mpofu, E. Madzongwe, G.P Musanhu, V. Katyamaenza, A. Masuku, C.S Zihuu, A.M Ndlovu H.S.M Mahlaba, R. Chinamano. Information Cdes. N.M Shamuyarira (Chairman), E.J.M Zvobgo, A. Sikhosana, G. Machinga, J. Moyo, C.U Ushewokunze, V. Mpofu, VF Chitepo, S.K Moyo, P. Mahlamvana, C. Ndlovu, B_ Gezi, S. Kachingwe. Coordinaiion Cdes. J.W Msika (Chairman), D.N.E Mutasa, W.H Mabhena, M.E. Mahachi, N.M Shamuyarira, J.L Nkomo, J.T Tungamirai, S.T Sekeremayi, H.S.M Ushewokunze, E.J.M Zvobgo, E.D Mnangagwa, ).T.R Mujuru, T.V. Lesabe, S.J.N. Nkomo. 0l The Editor & Staff of the Zimbabwe News wish all our valued clients and readers a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year. ssssss ss ssssss _J ZIMBA,1r"W,WD.,,, 93

JEGA COMMERCIAL ,-COLLEGE -*. LA0011 TO SUCE IN Uf ' "The Ladder To Success In Life" November & December Intake Environment Management Training for Industry Courses contacted with the acknowledgement of UNEP, WHO and ILO include: *Chemical Safety and Accident Prevention *Environment Health and Safety Programme for Small Scale Enterprises *Cleaner Production (Pollution Prevention) *Industrial Waste Management 6 7CetaAvenue ZIMBABWE NEWS DECEMBER, 1993,

N 0 a Fti 6. n0 N vIIIIIIII The Deputy Minister urged labourofficers to acquire extra qualities in counselling, the provision of advice because more workers are being retrenched and contracts terminated since the advent of the economic structural adjustment programme. "Quality is never an accident - it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skilful execution. It represents the wise choice of many alteratives. This course is about getting the best out of people, for your benefit, for that of your organisation and ultimately in the public service, for the benefit of the general public. Civil servants should be well motivated and capable of adapting to change," Cde. Chitauro warned. The contigent was a second group of senior labour relations officers to undergo the course aimed at exposing them to the changes currently taking place in the labour administration in Zimbabwe and the changed government policy towards the structure of the civil service in line with ESAP. El SADC warns Zimbabwe on maize stockpile N Cde. Florence Chitauro he Deputy Minister of the Public Service, Labour and social Welfare Cde. Florence Chitauro has urged labour relations officers not to place bureaucratic hurdles in the way of those who seek their assistance. Speaking at a refresher course for senior labour officers in Harare on October 7, Cde. Chitauro said the officers should assume extra qualities of being counsellors and provide advice as well as educate both employers and employees. "... The old bureaucratic red-tape style of running operations is quickly being dispensed with. Civil servants are expected to change their negative attitudes, the apparant lack of confidence in themselves, lack of respect towards ,the people they purport to serve and so on. The Labour Relations Amendment Act now stipulates that a labour officer has to hear a case within a given period," Cde. Chitauro said. She pointed out that this is important because deadlines have to be met in the administration and processing of cases. "The old habits of sitting on cases for years on end without decisions being made on them should be a thing of the past. if you look at the Labour Relations Amendment, you realise that the role of a labour officer has been redefined. More emphasis is now being placed on arbitration through conciliation of settlement of disputes rather than determinations," she said. ZIMBABWE NEWS DECEMBER, 1993 nless Zimbabwe authorises maize exports soon, stockpiles could reach' excessive proportions following next season's harvest, the Southern African Development Community Early Warning Unit has said. In its food security quarterly bulletin released to ZIANA recently, the Unit said the present scale of Grain Marketing Board maize stocks caused concern in view of low level of commercial sales in the country. The current size of the stockpile, including a proportion of imported yellow maize raised questions about the desired level of maize stocks which Zimbabwe should hold. "Although Government is resisting calls for limited maize exports, it appears necessary that this policy is reviewed in view of the huge stockpile and low offtake of maize," the Unit said. While the government set a maize reserve policy of holding 396000 tonnes, current stocks have built up to high levels of 1.4 million tonnes as the GMB local intake now exceeds earlier expectations of 1.1 million tonnes. As a result, imported yellow maize has stockpiled, local purchases from the GMB and commercial millers have also declined due to high retentions, compounded by a steep rise in the' selling price. The Unit said the GMB's maize sales and informal maize prices which are still below consumer prices suggested the maize production forecast might have been underestimated. El The Editor and Staff of wish their beloved clients, readers and the people of Zimbabwe the most pleasant Christmas and a successful 1994. w v

Socialism worth more than capitalism * President speaks to BBC's David Frost hile in Cyprus on Sunday, 24 WOctober, 1993, Cde. President Robert Mugabe was interviewed by David Frost on the programme "BBC Breakfast With Frost". The interview was broadcast live in Britain. Following is the full text of the interview: David Frost: And from Thabo Mbeki there talking about the future of South Africa to a Commonwealth leader, President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, who has had the experience from 1980, the transition to black majority rule in Zimbabwe and let me begin, apart from saying welcome of course ... President Robert Mugabe: Thank you. David Frost- But by asking you what are /the lessons that you learned from your experience taking over the country in 1980 that you would want to communicate, if they asked, to your friends in the ANC and so on, what are the lessons you learned? President: Well I think one of the lessons that I learnt and which everyone in my condition or situation should learn is that after a war, after a struggle, there has to be a policy of national reconciliation, you have to accept the oneness of the people, that those you fought with, those you fought against become one by virtue of the new order that you're creating and that there shouldn't be any friction, there shouldn't be any contradictions in the main. That is people can have their own political views, maintain their own differences, political differences, but as a nation, you're now one and you must work now to forge ahead in an environment of stability and peace. And you can't get that if you bring into the situation the old quarrels which should now be bygones because naturally you need peace and stability if you are to forge ahead with any new policies. David Frost: And do you think in fact there's a good chance that that will happen in South Africa, because of course the bitter divisions are worse, more of a problem, than they were in Zimbabwe? President: Perhaps after the elections there may be that possibility but I think they must start now to build one nation of a people with one destiny, accepting Cde. President Mugabe (with spectacles) accompanied by Cde. Enos Chikowore (third from right) and Cde. Tony Gara (right) on a tour of Siyaso home industries in Mbare, Harare naturally that there are certain differences which can never be overcome. David Frost: Are you glad that sanctions are being lifted now? President: Yes we were happy that Mandela during the last (well it's not really, it's the current session actually of the General Assembly) appeal to nations, or the international community, to lift the sanctions and there was immediate response from various countries. We supported his appeal. I spoke - after him and made reference to that appeal and in fact pledged Zimbabwe's support. David Frost: Tell me I was, I was interviewing Mr. Gorbachev, President Gorbachev, well more than once recently, and at one point he was talking about his temptation that he might stand in a future election in Russia and I said would you describe yourself in such an election as a Marxist or a Communist or an independent or what, and he said "No, no, no, I wouldn't describe myself as a Marxist or a Communist anyway", do you describe yourself as a Marxist anymore? President: No of course you probably don't know that we have undergone a period of readjustment . . . David Frost: Well I do know from 19 -. Ido know from 1991 and the IMF and so on but I wondered if your convictions were still Marxist or not? President: Some are still, some are not, Your policies have got to be peopleoriented and if they are not peopleoriented then you don't deserve to be leader at all, in my view. Whatever poliContinued on page 16 ZIMBABWE NEWS DECEMBER, 1993

Socialism worth more than capitalism Continuedf Any progressive leader and government has to address the interests of the people irrespective of social classes. In the picture, the Minister of Public Construction, Cde. Enos Chikowore on a tour of Siyaso home industries in Harare cies you pursue, whether it's in education or health or it's a system of industrialising your country and transforming it, you must look at the interests of the people first and foremost and the people as a whole. Marx might have looked just at one section of the people, the workers, and the proletariat as he called it, but we never agreed with him on that. We felt that you have to look at the people as a whole and that, that can never, you know, be abandoned by any leader worth the name. I therefore believe that socialism really is of greater worth than capitalism - true we have opened up, true we would want to see more investment and that means of course inviting people with capital to come into the country, but basically we would want to see the lot of our people improve. David Frost: So, but would you agree that Marxism/Communism, would you agree with Boris Yeltsin and Mikhail Gorbachev that Marxism or Communism are dead now? President: Well I don't know, I can't pronounce them dead, some other peo- pie - perhaps those who first conceived the theory of Marxism and Leninism should pronounce them dead. One doesn't know really but there will be adjustment and no ideology in practical terms can remain the same, even capitalism has got to accept some form of socialism. I heard Clinton talk the other day of a health scheme which he would want to introduce in America and if that is not to address the common health concerns of the ordinary people I don't know what else it could be. David Frost: So that when you look at inflation running at say, 30 percent and interest rates at 40 percent and unemployment at 40 percent, recent reports, who's to blame, Karl Marx, Robert Mugabe or who? President: Depends on the situation, it .may be the historical circumstances that you inherited or which you find yourselves, in our case for example, we had an economy that was geared to benefit -only the minority of the country.' But when we took over and we had to make the necessary adjustments in order to overcome the imbalances in the past; naturally, we had now to base our policies on the main principle that they have to benefit the majority of the people in the country. The minorities as well as the majority and in those circumstances when resources ran short and prices' had to rise because you are fol-' lowing now new policies of economical reform you can't blame anybody, you've got to blame the circumstances in which you find yourselves. It may not be the leaders, if you followed poor policies in the past and have only now grown awake to the fact that new policies are better than the policies you have pursued you must accept blame necessarily. Perhaps we must accept part of the blame, true we continued with policies that have to do with, had to do with greater central control which we found in being and to that extent perhaps we are to blame. David Frost: Well thank you very much for this our first I hope of many conversations, President Mugabe thank you very much for joining us here this morning. President: Thank you. 0 ZIMBABWE NEWS DECEMBER, 1993 16

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Struggle for survival exposes many to mercury poisoning he last four years have seen an unprecedented upsurge in small-scale miners, both legal and illegal alluvial gold panners. Numerous reasons have been given for the upsurge: from unemployment and sometimes to simple avarice. As the Economic Structural Adjustment Programme (ESAP) takes a firmer grip on th economy, retrenchment has become a household word in both industry and government. The 1991/92 drought ,invesorllnvesoll l.1ARARE - Foreign investors had Hby November 12 bought shares 1, ,on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) worth Z$81,3 million (US$12 million),the chairman of the ZSEA, Mr. Mark ITunner has said. ITunner said in an interview with ZIANA that the Government's decision to allow foreigners to invest in the ZSE was continuing to pay dividends as 9,7 million shares were acquired by foreigners up to that date. This, he said, had accelerated tne recovery of the ZSE, which recorded its worst performance early in the year. "There has been a lot of interest by for eign investors on the ZSE but our major problem now is that there is a shortage of script on the whole," he said. He said that the introduction of cor porate foreign currency denominated accounts (FCDAS) in the near future would further boost foreign investment on the stock market as it would facilitate a freer movement of investment. "Foreigners are able to top up with a lot of money. If we are to consider the fact. that the exchange rate of the Zimbabwe dollar to the pound sterling is one to ten ... it will obviously become more at-' tractive to them," he said. He, however, denied suggestions by other brokers that foreign investors seemed to be showing more interest on the Stock Exchange than local investors. "There is a lot of interest shown by local and foreign investors, both individual and institutional," he said. I By Edith Muza dubbed "the worst in living momery" also "forced" people to look for other avenues of making quick cash to supplement Government and nongovernmental organisations' drought relief assistance. Amidst genuine people facing economic hardships has emerged a breed of opportunists commonly referred to as crooks or dealers who are slotting themselves into the melee to make a fast buck. Government has not looked the other way as regards these new venture entrepreneurs. Through the Ministry of Mines, it has put in place environmentally friendly regulations in which small scale miners and lincence. alluvial gold panners are to operate. In addition, the ministry has endeavoured to educate both small scale miners and alluvial gold panners on correct and safe methods of using chemicals especially mercury which is used in the gold recovery process. Mercury poisoning In the last couple of months however, there has been increasing incidences of injuries and illnesses associated with mercury poisoning. A lot more cases largely remain unreported as victims, who are usually illegal users, fear prosecution. it is not known how ordinary people get hold of mercury as it is sold under licence strictly to licenced miners. Anyway, the problem is becoming so widespread that the Ministry of Mines Continued on page 19 At the height of the drought, many alluvial gold panners joined illegal panning to supplement meagre relief assistance ZIMBABW WS DECEMBER, 1993

'Naton . Struggle for survival exposes many to mercury poisoinigContinued from page 18 has issued a public warning, on the dangers of the improper use of mercury. All the mercury used in Zimbabwe is imported under the Open General Import Licence,(OGIL) with 98 percent coming from South Africa. Mercury is classified under the Hazardous Substances Act Chapter 322 which is administered by the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare. The act contains a comprehensive list of regulations governing the sale of, handcing, transportation and use of chemicals. it classifies all chemicals into the three groups according to their toxicities. Licence Mercury is classfied under group two, specific regulations are contained in Statutory Instrument 313 of 1981. The instrument requires any supplier of Group Two Harzardous Substances to operate under a licence issued by the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare and another for the premises where the substances would be stored. The supplier is then required to keep a register where all purchases are signed for. Another safeguard measure is the requiremint by the Department of Customs dnd Excise that all importers produce a valid Ministry of Health and Child Welfare licence at the port of importation. Failure to produce the licence results in the mercury being forfeited to the state. The biggest importer of mercury in Zimbabwe is the agro-chemical industry. It uses the chemical in the preparation of pesticides and herbicides. Mercury is also imported for various industrial uses. However mercury is also used in the gold recovery process. According to a Ministry of Mines spokesman, the danger to people, animals and the environment occurs when the mixture of purified gold and mercury is heated to recover pure gold. Most illegal users of mercury do not have the right apparatus. They use open receptacles which they place on open fires. "When heated, mercury turns into an amalgam in the form ot vapour which is released into the atmosphere. Meanwhile, the operator will be inhaling and breathing. some of this vapour", the spokesman said. This vapour is poisonous to humans, plants, animals and the environment. Harmful In water, he said mercury .can stay active for up to 30 years from the time of immersion. It is harmful in this state, to aquatic life; fruits and vegetables watered by the contaminated water and finally humans and .animals who ccnsume the contaminated water and foodstuffs. The spokesman said mercury can be found in most rivers and streams in the country and most gold panners are not aware of this. As a result, the, Ministry of Mines will soon be launching a public awareness campaign to educate members of the public on the dangers of improper use of mercury in the media in Shona, Ndebele and English. According to a lecturer in medicine at the University of Zimbabwe, inhaled mercury fumes go to the lungs. "A person is then unable to extract oxygen from the air and they turn blue, a condition known as cyanosis", he explained. "This damages the lungs and can lead to death." He said, however, mercury poisoning is not a common condition. "Most of my colleagues have never come across it". But the risk of poisoning is heightened when a person conducts the 'purifying" exercise in a confined space without ventilation and a gas mask. Symptoms of mercury poisoning, some of which can lead to death, are headaches, cough, chest pains, breathing problems, vomitting, uncontrolled shivering of hands, diarrhoea, fainting, soreness of the mouth, loss of teeth, sleeplessness, loss of memory and skin rashes. Repeated and prolonged exposure to liquid mercury and inhalation of mercury vapour leads to kidney damage, sore and swollen gums, excessive salivation and blindness. El No rushing into COMESA Major issues remain unresolved he treaty transforming the Preferential Trade Area For East T and Central Africa (PTA) into a Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), was signed in Kampala, Ugandia, on November 5, 1993. Although the treaty has been signed, there are still some major issues .to be resolved before it can be ratified, let alone implemented. The major objectives of the PTA itself have not yet been accomplished and need to be reviewed in the light of the new treaty. Zimbabwe refused to sign the treaty in Kampala before it has been discussed and reviewed by the Cabinet. The Cabi-" net had hoped to discuss the treaty provisions after the report of the commission being headed by Mr. Kenneth Dadzie, the director of the Geneva-based By Our Economic Correspondent UNCTAD. The committee is looking into the harmonisation and rationalisation of the SADC-and the PTA, although some members (ntably Zambia and Uganda) want the Committee to look into the merger of the two organisations. It is reported that the Kenneth Dadzie report will be ready in February next year. The Cabinet has now discussed the treaty and decided to sign it. It has been signed by Cde. President Robert Gabriel Mugabe. The cieation of COMESA is a giant step that demands that we re-define our concept of national sovereignty. It demands that we start thinking of internal borders between COMESA and non-COMESA states. COMESA means that each state must, necessarily, give up some of its sovereign rights to the community if COMESA is to be viable. We, shoulo perhaps study closely the experience of the Benelux countries as well as the European Community (EC) so that we can benefit from their experience before we commit ourselves to COMESA. There is need to ensure that whatever institutional arrangements the countries agree to are not only politically acceptable to all member states but also financially feasible. No rush to COMESA There is no need to rush into creating yet another African institution without being assured of the real political will by all member states to make it work, and without the economic will and capacity to make it succeed. Continued on page 20 71MRARWE NEWS DECEMBER. 1993

No rushing into COMESA - Major issues remain unresolved A peaceful environment within Eastern and Southern Africa is a pre-requisite for the creation of the community envisaged. Without such a stable environment, the economic performance of each member state cannot be enhanced. The writer is specifically referring to the internal condition within each state where democracy and free market economies can thrive and where the economic energies of the populace can be released in a constructive, competitive atmosphere conducive to a better economic performance. Conflict and instability When we look at our region, we find it replete with instability and conflict. There has been a complete collapse of state institutions and anarchy in Somelia. There is armed conflict in Sudan. Rwanda has taken the first uncertain step towards peace with the signature of an agreement between the govern. ment and the Rwandese Patriotic Front. There is a deadly war in Angola where Savimbi's UNITA threatens democracy and costs 1 -000 lives daily, with millions more threatened by starvation and diseases as a result of war. In Mozambique, there is uncertainty over the peace process despite the Rome Accords as RENAMO puts obstacles to the realisation of democracy. An even more serious threat to peace and economic progress is the tendency of the military to grab power and impose a dictatorship on an unwilling people. We were shocked to learn last October that the military had killed President Melchior Ndadaye in Burundi. Continued from page 19 CHOGM was discussing the very issue of democracy and the need to institutionally strengthen it when these soldiers struck down Burundi's first democratically-elected president. Shame to Africa This despicable crime committed in the name of ethnic interests cannot be tolerated within our region if we really mean to come together as a community. How would we, as independent African states, welcome such murderers if the coup had succeeded? We should take urgent measures to rescue democracy in Burundi under the aegis of the OAU or the UN and ensure the safety of Prime Minister Sylvie Kinigi and the surviving members of the Burundi government, as well as ending ethnic killings. It is, indeed, a shame on Africa that such a dastardly deed could be carried out with near-impunity at a time when the rest of the world is committed to democracy. it calls into question our commitment to higher ideals and casts doubts on even the regional institutions we seek to create. The perpetrators of this unconstitutional and criminal act must all be apprehended and punished to demostrate that Africa no longer tolerates such crimes. No external scapegoat We must frankly accept that political instability and lack of a peaceful environment are the principal causes why both foreign and local investors do not invest in Africa. We need not fool ourselves anymore by seeking an external scapegoat for our economic woes. Each country must look at itself and address the problem of poor resource management, the inability to plan properly, corruption and internal conflicts and insta- bility before we can think of creating COMESA. Under the present circumstances, what kind of a community would be created? Member states have disparate economies and have failed to fully utilise the PTA over the last twelve years to improve the performance of the region's economies. Intra-PTA trade is just over US$1 billion while extra-PTA trade is nearly US$25 billion. This shows a lack of real commitment to the PTA and demonstrates the unviability of COMESA under the present circumstances. Dual commitment confusing There is also the problem of the relation: ship between SADC and the PTA. This dual commitment on the part of some member states is causing a kind of schizophrenia within governments, leading to a failure to identify the true objective of the PTA and SADC. The PTA appointed a Ministerial Committee of Six to look into this question of the relationship between SADC and the PTA and that committee must first report back to the two organisations before we can ratify the COMESA treaty. The mandate of the Committee of Six was to look into ways and means of rationalising and harmonising the operations of the two organisations. It would, therefore be premature and unjudicious to rush into COMESA before the recommendations of that Committee are known. E] ZIMBABWE NEWS DECEMBER, 1993 The People's Voice Bold, Factual and Fearless Subscription rates for 52 Issues, please send: EZimbabwe US$41,50 ERegional (South Africa and Africa excluding Zimbabwe US$50 EOverseas Europe US$66 N a m e : ...... (Print Print) ADDRESS: ...... THE RATES INCLUDE POSTAGE AND HANDLING. I ENCLOSE MY CHEQUE/POSTAL ORDER FOR THE AMOUNT INDICATED ABOVE. The Circulation Manager The People's Voice 14 Austin Road Workington Road, HARARE, Zimbabwe

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ONDON: A British scientist has been awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine in recognition of research that overturned the understanding of how genes work. Dr. Richard Roberts, 50-year-old father of four and a graduate of Sheffield University in northern. England, shares the £500 000 (Z$5 million) prize with US researcher Dr. Phillip Sharp. They in: dependently discovered in 1977 that genes are split up and can comprise several DNA segments. Until then, it was thought that genes were made up of continuous sugments of DNA. Both men made their discoveries when working on a virus responsible for the common cold, and after initial disbelief by fellow scientists, "split genes" began. to befound in both plants and animal cells. it became dear that they were an extremely common feature of the chromosomes of higher organisms, including humans. At the time, Dr. Roberts was working at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory on Long Island, New York, and Dr. Sharp was at the Massachusettes Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Dr. Roberts, now research director of New England Biolabs of Beverly, Massachusetts, described being told of the award as "every scientist's dream come true." Of his discovery, he commented: "It was probably the best moment of my life moments like that don't come along very often in science. Everybody thought that ,genes were laid out in exactly the same way, and so it came as a tremendous surprise. It was one of the discoveries where dogma is completely overthrown." The Nobel Assembly of the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, which makes the award, said the doctor's discovery of' split genes-had "changed our view on how genes in higher organisms develop during evolution." Many scientists believe it has opened the door to new understanding about the mechanisms of diseases such as cancer and muscular dystrophy. - LPS El New treatment halves paralysis deaths ONDON: Death from paralysis caused by what is known as the Guillain-Barre syndrome has been halved by a pioneering new treatment that has emerged' from research at the United Medical and Dental. Schools (UMDS) of Guy's and St. Thomas's Hospitals in London. The syndrome is one of a group of demyelinating diseases, like multiple sclerosis, in which the insulating core of a nerve fibre, known as the myelin sheath, is destroyed by inflammation. The result is weakness and loss of feeling, and victims may be completely paralysed within a few days, making them dependent on a ventilator. Professor Richard Hughes, Dr. Norman Gregson and other colleagues from the UMDS division of anatomy and cell biology have shown that several different bacterial and viral infections may trigger the inflammation of the nerve. These induce a response which may react with one ot several ditterent proteins or fatbased substances called glycolipids in the lipid sheath. - " Professor Hughes and Dr. Gregson discovered that two of these myelin protens can, under experimental conditions, provoke inflammation and demyelination, and on the strength of these findings, UMDS doctors have been able to exchange the plasma of affected patients and remove the antibodies that are the forerunner of the unwanted immune reaction. Professor Hughes and his team, in collaboration with a major pharmaceutical company, are now coordinating an international trial to find out whether intravenous treatment with large amounts of normal human antibody is more effective than the plasm. 'exchange technique. He commented: "This important study could point to even more effective treatment."- LPS El he Hong Kong Chinese are emigrating not only to Europe and the Americas, but to South Africa as well. Hong Kong's Sunday "Morning Post" magazine of September 5, 1993 carried an article entitled "Home on the Veldt" which dealt with immigrants to South Africa. It reports that hundreds of families from mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan have settled in South Africa since 1989. * Stastics show that 37 Hong Kong families applied for residence in South Africa in 1989, 231 in 1990, 580 in 1992 and 266 in the first half of 1993. A Hong Kong based consultant predicts that over 3 000 families will apply for residence in the next two years. Currently there are over 40 000 Chinese immigrants living inside South Africa. South Africa, .through its consulate in Hong Kong, offers a number of incentives which most orientals find irresistible. Immigrants are required to show that they have at least R250 000 (Z$500 000) to prove their financial independence. Aspiring residents are not subjected to skills or qualification tests and those with skills in critical areas are allowed in. The immigrants enjoy immediate residence and assurance of citizenship after five years. Further incentives such as mansions on huge properties .with private tennis courts and swimming pools have brought dimensions unimagined before by the immigrants. The Chinese immigrants run thriving businesses and factories. Some 350 Chinese-owned factories, trading in products ranging from footwear- to electronics, have mushroomed throughout South Africa. Prospective Chinese immigrants-cumbusiness people know very little about Zimbabwe. The little they know is very negative, according to the Zimbabwean Embassy in Beijing. Thus, even through the immigrants' investments could be more secure in a stable and economically vibrant Zimbabwe, virtually none are coming our. way. The proposed establishment of a consulate or trade mission in Hong Kong will thus go a long way in promoting Zimbabwe's image, stimulating muchneeded trade and investment between Hong Kong and Zimbabwe, as well as enticing tourists to visit Zimbabwe. El ZIMBABWE NEWS DECEMBER- 1993 Hong Kong Chinese going to South Africa Staffreporter oeg New I. t.S,6 LI A 1 ONDON: The first attempt is to be made to travel overland between London and New York. In what is described as "one of the greatest adventures of modern times," two international teams of drivers will attempt to pioneer an overland route between the two capital cities, departing from London on 30 December this year. The teams will be among the first to travel through the new Channel Tunnel undersea link between Britain and France before heading across Europeto Moscow. They will then traverse tle wastelands of Siberia before attempting to cross the ice- covered Bering Straits on the final leg of the drive to the US and Canada. Until now, the latter has never been successfully achieved. The multi-million dollar event is the brainchild of Mr. Richard Creasey, chairman of The East West Creative Association and director of Network Factual Prograrnmes for Southern England's Meridian TV station. He has spent pver two years researching the project and the East Kent Creative Association has developed the idea with sponsorship from Ford. The teams will use four-wheel-drive Ford Mondeo saloons powered by the new two-litre 16-valve Zetec engine, which has been designed to achieve low emissions and fuel efficient performance. They will be backed by support crews in Ford Maverrik 4x4s, whose rugged off-road capabilities will be ideally suited to the difficult terrain that will be encountered. Mr. Creasey commented: "The physical demands of the London to New York Overland Challenge will be severe, but it will provide a perfect opportunity to make a worldwide television audience more environmentally aware. We will be passing through regions where environmental disasters have occurred as well as through some of the last remaining wilderness areas, never before seen on television." - LPS S J Malawi on the road to democracy . alawi is on the road to Mdemocracy, parliament has repealed legislation that established a one-party state and designated Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda as the Life President. Elections are planned for May 17 next year and an independent allparty committee, chaired by a judge has been appointed to make preparations for a democratic election. The ailing President Banda has bowed down to pressure from Paris Club donors to democratise the system before he can be given financial assistance. The Club is meeting this December. The opposition parties are also demanding that the following measures be taken: - The Malawi Young Pioneers be disarmed. They formed a strong political force in Malawian politics. o0m Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda from the nationai radio - Malawi Bioadcasting Corporation. - The de-linking of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), as a party, from the government. - Partisan programmes such as When these measures are taken they "Kwacha kwayera" be removed will put the MCP on an equal footing Gwanda Chakuamba with other political parties. The UN representative in Malawi, Mr. Michael Heyn, has praised Malawi for a peaceful transition, and a growing commitment to human rights. The government of Taiwan had donated one million dolContinued on page 24 ZIMBABWE NEWS DECEMBER, 1993 LONDON TO NEW YORK OVERLAND CHALLENGE

Mo're ojcs1I fo~Iun beyon nepE1ISI! iitunIit L ONDON: Evidence is mounting of Sthe existence of a belt of small -lanetary objects at the far edge of the solar system, beyond the orbit of Neptune.' The London-based Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) reports that the discovery of two objects last month by UK istronomers has come hard on the heels of a similar find a few days' earlier by a US team. The total number of known objects in this remote belt has now reached six. The two most recent discoveries, known only as 1993 SB and 1993 SC, were made by Professor lwan P. Williams of Malawi on the road to democracy Continued from page 23 lars towards the operational expenses of the two bodies managing the transition process. Campaigning has already started. The two main. opposition parties, the UDF and AFORD, are holding meetings and rallies every week. They are also discussing a common strategy, and even unity, so that they do not split the vote. If they fight the election separately, they could give a chance to the Malawi Con. gress Party to win the'elections. In the referandum, the combined vote of op position parties was 63 percent of the total, against 35 percent for the MCP. if the opposition Parties unite, their chances of winning are very good. Gwanda Chakuamba Phiri takes over The man now in charge of the MCP is Mr. Gwanda Chakuamba Phiri who was Secretary-General of the Malawi Young Pioneers before he.was jailed for 13 years for illegal possession of firearms. He was acting as chairman of the threeman committee that has been running Malawi when Dr. Banda was hospitalised for brain surgery in Johannesburg. Most observers thought Mr. J.Z.V. Tembo, Minister of State at the President's Office, would be the leading candiuate for succession to President Banda. But it now appears that Chakuamba Phiri has taken a giant step torward, and is now the number one contender for the succession although Dr. Banda has resumed his duties. es London University's Queen Mary and Westfield College, with Dr. Alan Fitzmimmons and research student Donal O'Ceallaigh of Queen's University in Belfast, Northern Ireland. A first calculation gives their distances from the Sun as 33.1 and 34.5 astronomical units respectively. Professor Williams commented: "These and other discoveries show that there is a belt of significant objects with sizes of the order of 100 kilometres in the outer solar system.'' The existance of such a belt is not unexpected because it was predicted back in 1951 that planetesimals, which are remnants of the nebula from which the solar system formed, might be found in a ring-shaped region extending outwards from the orbit of Neptune, perhaps as far as 500 astronomical units or more. Astronomers say the latest discoveries seem to be proving this theory to be correct. Searching for such remote asteroids is not easy because they are a faint 21 st magnitude or dimmer. In the short period of observing time alotted to them on Zambia faces acute socio-economic problems President Frederick Chiluba ambia faces acute economic problems, especially in the mining industry. The giant producer of copper - Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines (ZCCM) - is on the verge of collapse, and agriculture also faces acute problems of marketing and pricing. President Fredrick Chiluba has called a special meeting of his economic advisers to address these problems. Recently, he strengthened his hold on political power by winning four seats in by-elections for eight seats. These seats had been vacated by cabinet ministers who defected from his party, the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) to form a new party called the National Party. Although the National Party won the other four seats; it was clear that the MMD is still the largest and the most popular political force in Zambia. Most important for the MMD Was their victory in Malole constituency in the nothern province over the former Finance Minister, Mr. Emmanuel Kasonde. Mr. Kasonde was the one man the MMD feared could unite the Bembas in the north, and pose a serious threat. ZCCM in trouble Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines (ZCCM) is in serious financial trouble and Continued on page 25 ZIMBABWAVAIEMBER 1993 the British Isaac Newton Telescope on La Palma in the Canary Islands, Professor Williams and his colleagues were only able to search a small half a square degree patch of sky. They had hoped to find as many as 10 objects but found that a more sensitive detector would be needed to achieve this number. Scientists believe the objects lying beyond Neptune are likely to be -inert comets that are ready to develop the full panoply of coma and tail if they ever get deflected into the inner solar system. It is Aow recognised that there is probably little distinction between some asteroids and the rocky cores of comets. But the RAS believes the discoveries have given astronomers their first tantalising glimpse of a whole region of the solar system located beyond the major planets and different in character from the part of the solar system that is familiar to them. A spokesman corfimented: "Exactly what they find will have.profound implications for our understanding of the origin of comets and of the solar system as a whole." - LPS El

Zambia faces acute socio-economic problems might collapse. The crisis is a direct result of the dramatic appreciation of the Kwacha, a policy which has been criticised in the business community and has been termed artificial. ZCCM is said to be stuck with lots of foreign exchange earned from exporting copper but because of the exchange rate it is unable to meet its Kwacha bills. ZCCM Fs failing to source enough Kwacha and therefore it can not pay its local debtors. As a result, outstanding local debt is thought to have risen since July by some 40 billion Kwacha. ZCCM liquidity problems have had a dramatic ripple effect throughout the country. Some of its major suppliers of spare parts have also been forced to put in place stringent cost-saving measures to save the companies from collapse. Staff have been made to work shifts. The company itself is 'in the process of retrenching some of its workforce because it is unable to raise enough Kwacha for salaries. Government not involved Restructuring of ZCCM to make it more profitable will take time and so the government needs to bail it out, otherwise the present 51 000 workforce will be in trouble. ZCCM provides schools, hospitals, police and general township services. Will the government allow the company to withdraw from these enormously costly social responsibilities? The company's collapse will mean the virtual end of exeports and inevitably, the end of any viable Zambian economic activity. Meanwhile, the government of Zambia has said it would not bail out Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines despite that it is on the verge of collapse. The government is also against the central bank becoming involved in any plan" to rescueZCCM. Culture - LONRHO retreat The agricultural giant in Zambia, LONRHO (Zambia) is pulling out of maize, wheat, soya and cotton production because of what is termed 'muddled marketing' together with prohibitive interest and exchange rates. LONRHO (Zambia) said the economy had made it even uneconomical to grow beans despite the 'fact that the country was ideal for growing the crop and strategically placed for export markets such as South Africa which imports 400 000 tonnes from Brazil. The. Zambia. National Farmers Union (ZNFU) president Ben Kapita has said Condnued from page 24 two hundred and ten farming firms will fold up by next December because of financial problems. The financial woes had put most farmers in a hard position. Although farmers have been offered promissory notes by the Government which will mature in February, 1994, they are not very happy. Presently, they need money to re-invest in their farming activities as well as for family needs such as school fees and food. Though the commercial banks are accepting the promissory notes, they only cash them at a discount which is a disadvantage to the farmers who have no choice because they need the money. Manufacturing - Dunlop dowq The Dunlop factory has closed for the second time this year. and 400 employees have been sent on unpaid leave and 70 retrenched. Despite the factory offering 20 percent discount on prices, the persistent low sales and outside competition, has forced it to close the plant. The plant only resumed business ONDON: A detailed study of 600-year-old fish bones, excavated from one of Britain's most important monastic ruins, is giving experts a radically altered view of medieval religious life. Materials excavated at Mount Grace Priory in northern England has undergone detailed forensic examination by experts from the Archaeological Research Centre at York, also in northern England. Results show that the monks, members of the Carthusian Order, lived a life of relative comfort far removed from the traditional image of mixing piety with poverty. Archaeologists found that the brothers invariably ate fresh fish from the sea over. 60 kilometres away. Remains of cod, herring, whiting, plaice, dab and eel were found. More surprisingly, exotic fish such as turbot and sturgeon were also discovered indicating that the monks commanded the local market and demanded the highest quality produce. on October 1, 1993 after a three month closure. It is not yet known whether this is a permanent closure or not. The unfavourable manufacturing environment in Zambia has forced many -companies to lay off some workers. The Kwacha appreciation has had a negative impact on manufacturers, because companies are finding it difficult to meet their obligations entered into when it takes them weeks to raise even a quarter of the amount agreed with their creditors. It should have been government policy to ban importation of finished goods until local industries have been strengthened and expanded sufficiently to be able to compete with other manufacturers. Job opportunities have continued to decline following the stiff competition the manufacturing sector is facing on the local market because of imported goods. As at July 30, 1993, 30 175 people had sought employment but only 315 were employed. 0 There is evidence that fish were prepared centrally by -lay-brothers and although the produce was outstandingly fresh, cooking conditions were thought to be very prim:tive, with the kitchen floor covered in scraps, mud and coal debris. The latter fact helped make the area an archaeological treasure trove because kitchen staff obviously did not sweep up but instead spread a new layer of soil over the floor droppings and trod it down. Leader of the investigation, Dr. Andrew Jones, says the monks appear to have led a comfortable life, with a diet and living conditions far above those ordinary peasants. The brothers also appeared to have a "green" conscience by choosing to use coal as a kitchen fuel rather than chop down trees from surrounding woods. Meat eating was -forbidden and the brothers, who mainly lived in solitude, were served food in their own two-storey cells. Material from the priory site is now on display at the York archaeological centre. - LPS. El 711ARARW NIF_ %flF3 ICFMBER_ 993 Monks were .hooked on fish he Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, has outlined plans to preserve UN operations in Africa after a US pullout in March next year and has warned of possible widespread fighting among resurgent factions. Boutros-Ghali, in a report submitted to the Security Council, rejected a complete UN withdrawal from the country and said UN personnel would make a determined effort to initiate a political dialogue with all the factions, including partisans of the most powerful factional' leaders, General Mohamed Farah Aidid. But between now and March, he said, UN forces will not use coercive methods to ensure a secure environment, which is lacking mainly in south Mogadishu, General Aidid's stronghold. FAO priority is food self-sufficiency Jacques Diouf, the newly elected head of the Food and Agricultural Organisation recently said that his priority [uring his six-year tenure would be to help developing countries become self-sufficient. To illustrate his point, Diouf said that worldwide food production in the last 10 years had increased by 24 percent while the world population had increased by 20 percent. He said the narrow margin of difference between the two figures means that food production had in theory increased by only 4 percent. Speaking about the GAiT world talks, Diouf said that FAO was ready to act as a technical advisor on agricultural issues included in the talks. FAQ member countries have held differing positions on the GATT talks. African countries have tended to back France, which wants special treatment on the agricultural question while some countries like Australia want free trade in agricultural products as soon as possible. Diouf, 55, a specialist in agricultural matters, succeeded veteran Edouard Saouma of Lebanon who stepped down after heading the UN body for 18 years. l- Somali faction leader Mohamed Farah Aidid Fighting between UN troops and Aidid supporters has killed more than 70 foreign soldiers and hundrends of Somalis since June. The worst clashes occurred in early October when US-led troops .tried to arrest Aidid, who is blamed for the deaths of 24 Pakistani peacekeepers on June 5, 1993. The UN chief stated that since the fighting in October, the situation has been generally quiet. But -he warned that Mogadishu remains tense. In the capital and elsewhere, major factions are rearming, apparently in anticipation of a possible return to widespread fighting sometime in 1994. "As a result," he stressed, "the international community must not abandon Somalia in view'of the incontrovertible desire of the Somali people for the continued presence of UNOSOM (the UN operaration in their country)." The United States, with 7 450 troops in Somalia at present, is to withdraw all combat forces and most of its logistical support units by'March 31, next year. which Boutros-Ghali described as the most significant new development in the UN mission. An estimated 1 100 French soldiers are to leave by the end of December, along with 960 from Belgium. The UN Secretary-General disclosed that he had written to 42 UN member states asking them either to contribute for the first time or to boost their current participation. He also set out three options to cope with the loss of US forces: - Maintaining the current mandate Dr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali ating in six areas. The goal, he added "is to establish a transitional national council by January 1994." - ZIANA/AFP El It pays to advertise in The Zimbabwe News magazine Future UN operations in Somalia and 29 000 strong troop strength. UN contingents would refrain frbm coercive methods to enforce disarmament in south Mogadishu but would preserve the necessary capability for coercive disarmament. - Scaling back to 16 000 troops and a logistics staff of 2 500. UN forces would rely on the Somali parties in order to discharge its mandate and would use force only in self defence. - The deployment of only 5 000 troops charged with ensuring security at air and seaports., Outlining UN accomplishments in Somalia, Boutros-Ghali cited an enormous success in reducing starvation, deaths and conditions of famine in the country. He said 39 district councils had been set up and regional councils were now oper- ZIMBA c hick

Commonwea~'i~ Ulth rai[ie.sJI soluton n spite of an unassuming, low-key start to the 1993 Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM) who met in Limassol, Nocosia, Government leaders from 47 of its 50 member countries ratified a solid package of resolutions which firmly establishes the practical role the organisation can play in the international community. The Limassol declaration challenges Commonwealth critics who say the organisation is irrelevant and ineffectual, and will go a long way towards redressing the image problem it has among its cynics. Under the theme of the emergence of a global humanitarian order, the declaration points out that the organisation can play a useful and practical role in supporting United Nations (UN) efforts for peace around the world. Commonwealth Secretary General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, said the organisation could complement the UN in a variety of areas and,referring to its reputation for unity across diversity, drew on the slogan of a British beer advertisement to say it was well placed 'To reach the parts the others don't reach'. Chief Emeka Ahyaoku A Commonwealth intergovernmental group will now be established to look at specific actions the Commonwealth can take to make the best use of its unique expertise and limited resources. Canada's policy change towards Southern Africa By our political correspondent he previous government of Mr. Bri- posez a test case for the above aid an Mulroney and Ms Kim Campbell ditions. The newly independent cot shifted the policy and the po- has not faultered on any of the c sition of Canada towards Southern Afri- tions, and yet aid was cut even t ca. At the beginning of the year, Cana- extent of Canada closing its miss da announced massive aid cuts to Afri- Canada's attention seems to be fi ca, which were more devastating for ing more on South Africa than any Southern Africa in view of the severe country in the region. Because of drought that the region experienced in link being made between aid and 1992. While aid to Africa was cut, or investment, South Africa is see Eastern Europe became one of Canada's a much more economically viable c largest aid recipient. While it is accept- in Southern Africa. ed that Canada has a moral obligation to assist Eastern Europe, that assistance The new Liberal Party governme should not be given at the expense of Canada must now be reviewing its cy towards Southern Africa. It is ou Southern Africa...... L ...... African experts are in a state of confusion with regards to Canadian aid policy. At the Harare Commonwealth Heads/ of Government meeting in 1991, Canada announced her conditions of aid as good governance, observation of human rights and entrepreneural development. Namibia, whose independence is largely attributed to Canada's intervention, conuntry ondio the ion. ocus other this rade n as entre nt of poliir fer- vent rope tnat the new rnrenism'ter will drop quickly the policies of the previous government and adopt new positions. More importantly, he should maintain the aid package to Africa and support African initiatives of democratisption. The relationships with Africa should be based on the mutual understanding of the different political systems and cultures. 0 In the Limassol declaration, Government leaders reaffirmed the principles of good Government and democracy which were laid out at the 1991 Harare CHOGM. A Commonwealth support for implementation of these principles - in its member countries and elsewhere - is an area where it has been demonstrably effective, by employing friendly persuasion rather than force. The majority of Commonwealth leaders feel it is the organisation's most useful role, and one where it will establish an international reputation. Building block More than one head of Government cited democracy and peace as the building blocks of development and prosperity. Although four members of the Commonwealth do not currently meet Harare's good Government criteria, Chief Anyaoku said that each had assured the Commonwealth it was moving towards a full democracy. Any member seeking to avoid those conditions of membership would find their position in the Commonwealth family 'increasingly uncomfortable', he warned. The benefits of free trade dominated much of the political agenda, and' Government leaders took the offensive on the Uruguay round of the General Agreement on Tariffs ;-nd Trade (GATT). British Prime Minister John Major was not alone in describing a failure in the seven-year GATT talks as 'unthinkable' and further delay 'intolerable'. The Commonwealth will despatch a ministerial mission to selected capitals around the world in a high-level effort to remove obstacles to meeting the 15 December settlement deadline. Government leaders pointed out that the increase in trade a successful conclusion would bring, especially to small states, would far outweigh the foreign debt burden many of those countries now carry. In private discussion sessions, John Major also urged Commonwealth leaders to adopt international standards on money laundering, recommendations which are aimed at cracking down on the illegal industry, much of it drug. related and worth billions of dollars worldwide. Ideal forum Small states, which comprise the majority of the Commonwealth, are particularContinued on page 28 ZIMBABWE NEWS DECEMBER, 1993

Commonwealth ratifies resolutions ly vulnerable, but CHOGMs provide an ideal forum for raising such issues at the highest level, while Commonwealth technical programmes provide the means for addressing the problem. The Cyprus CHOGM began without the divisive issue of South African sanctions overshadowing discussions but, with elections only six months away, the Commonwealth's work in that country has only just begun. Its observer mission COMSA will be strengthened, and its technical support programmes will step up the training of black administrators for the, new government. Chief Anyaoku said the Commonwealth Would also continue its work to brin, all parties back to the negotiating table. Thabo Mbeki, Chairman of the African National Congress (ANC), attended this meeting in place of ANC President Cde. Nelson Mandela as an invited guest. With all sanctions except the arms embargo now lifted, South African athletes will now almost certainly take part in the 1904 Commonwealth Games in Victoria, Canada, and the next CHOGM, scheduled for New Zealand in 1995, may well see South Africa there as a full member again. Cameroon's application to join the Commonwealth was warmly received by the Continued from page 27 heads of government who guaranteed membership provided it met the Commonwealth's democratic credentials' by 1995. Heads of government also affirmed their confidence in Chief Anyaoku by renewing his appointment as Secretary General for a further five years. Individual meetings Queen Elizabeth II visited Cyprus in her role as head of the Commonwealth, as opposed to head of state, and, as is the tradition at CHOGMS, held individual meetings with each government leader. Her visits to the cities of Nicosia and Limassol were disrupted by Greek Cypriot protests over the Turkish occupation of Northern Cyprus. The Queen viewed the buffer zone of the divided islandmet British and Argentinian troops serving in the UN peace keeping forces, and chatted with families on British bases in Arkrotiri and Dhekalia. She also hosted a reception for members of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities who have links with Britain. The 1993 CHOGM attracted world attention to the problems of Cyprus, but the Commonwealth heads of government needed no convincing of the need for a speedy implementation of UN resolutions in the divided island. They have is- sued statements to that eftect at every CHOGM since the island was occupied by Turkey in 1974, and this CHOGM was no exception. Cyprus president Glafcos Clerides said the Commonwealth action group on Cyprus, established in 1983, will work \more closely with hissnew government, and that the Commonwealth will have observer status in future UN negotiations. - LPS E3 North-South unity against desertification elusive By Edith m.a Tree planting is necessary to replace felled vegetation T he problem of desertification and its attendant ills such as land degradation, soil erosion, siltation, gulley formation and many others is not a phenomena perculiar to Africa only. Desertification, according to a United Nations Desertification Secretariat analysis, is a serious problem in 81 countries worldwide, 18 of these being African countries. However, in the last decade, the Africans have noticed that the visage of their countrysides was 'fast changing from lush tree-covered forests to dry barren tracts of land. In Africa, the causes of desertification are mainly a result of urbanisation. Trees are cut for fuelwood, construction, furniture manufacturing and more recently for curios and artefacts for the tourism industry. In Zambia, large forests have been obliterated by the charcoal-burning informal industry, which supplies urban consumers. Desertification Over-population has been another problem linked to desertification and in Zimbabwe, this is closely linked to the land tenure system of the colonial era. Added to this commercialisation of trees and natural resources, has been the droughts and changing weather patterns which 'have contributed to the changing African landscape today. Be that as it may, the Africans have realised that in order to arrest and redress the situation, there has to be a united global approach to desertification. To this end, Africa has been pushing for a global United Nations (UN) Convention on Desertification and Drought. It has proved an uphill battle with the northern countries opposing it all the way. However, an opportunity presented itself for the Africans at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), generally referred to as the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil last year. Continued on page 29 ZIM MAR0 _FMRFR 3993

North-South unity against desertification elusive Continued from page 28 for Environmental Planning and Cordination in the Ministry of Environment and Tourism. Prior to this meeting, the African countries had submitted a composite draft of drought and desertification problems in their countries under the umbrella of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). This draft was used as - a working document for the'meeting after the UN had sifted and made into a - formal working paper. In its bid to address desertification, Africa has called for a convention similar to that of bio-divenity African countries wanted the Rio meeting to adopt a convention on desertification and drought with a similar status to that of the convention on biodiversity and climate change. The north disagreed and the African countries came up against stiff competition. It was only. after the Africans threatened not to sign the convention on bio-diversity and climate change that the northern countries agreed that the proposed convention on desertification and drought be referred to the UN General Assembly. To this end, after Rio, the UN set up the Inter-governmental Negotiating Committee to elaborate a Convention to Coin-bat Desertification (INCD) in those countries experiencing serious drought and/or desertification, particularly in Africa. to support Africa in lobbying for the convention while they are in favour of the drawing up of regional instruments applicable to themselves. The meeting of the INDC was held in Nairobi, Kenya in May this year which mapped out programmes and problems in the various countries whose data would be used as a working document for drawing up a suitable convention on desertification. The continent was divided into four regions for case studies with Botswana's Kalahari representing the Southern African region which Zimbabwe is part of. Composite draft A second follow-up meeting was held in Geneva, Switzerland last month where Zimbabwe was represented by Miss Margaret Mukahanana, Under Secretary At this meeting, the issue of funding was as paramount as before. African countries reiterated their call for a convention similar to that of bio-diversity and climate change. "We felt we needed a separate fund specifically for desertification", Miss Mukahanana said. The countries of the North, however, did not agree. They felt that such a convention could be adequately funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). Africans argued that the GEF was retrictive and "less democratic" as it was run by the World Bank. There was no consensus. As a result of Africa's reservations the GEF is currently being re-structured to cater for developing countries. Various aspects to be highlighted in the convention were deliberated upon in this Geneva meeting. "On desertification, we are pushing for an annexe instead of a regional instrument for fear that the Northern countries may choose not to sign the regional instrument but an annexe would be part of the convention itself", explained Miss Mukahanana. Convention The proposed convention would include the aspect of capacity building. It would Continued on page 30 Plan of Action Prior to INCD however, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) was given a mandate to facilitate and implement a UN Plan of Action to combat desertification in Africa. When the action plan was reviewed'in 4F the early 80s, it revealed that little had been achieved and reasons highlighted were lack of funding and the regional nature of the plan. It was confined to Africa only and member states did not have the financial resources to support the plan. During this period, the northern coun- N tries, the Americas and Asia distanced themselves from the action plan as they felt desertification was not a significant problem in their regions. Recently however, some Latin American and Asi- Dr. Boutrous-Ghali (left) with former Brazilian president Fernado Carlo de Meran countries have expressed a readiness lo (right) at the Earth Summit last year Zl" a .... S 1993 29 ..../ orig New North-South unity against desertification elusive cornwdfmm page 29 cover training and the expertise to utilise. fund and implement projects. Popular participation is a must for any project. Technology transfer and promotion of indegenous technology is an important requisit of the proposed convention. Coordination and co-operation at regional, sub-regional, and international levels would be another feature of the proposed convention There was need to ensure that projects were not repeated; therefore donor co-operation would be essential. A similar meeting will be held in January next year in New York to write out the text of the convention. This will be followed up by two other meetings to polish up the text of the convention. One will be held in Geneva in March 1994 ani the other later in P-ls in June, before it is put to the UN General Assembly for ratification. Zimbabwe. like many other African countries, looks forward to the proposed convention but needless to say, it must be complemented by sound population control programmes and a more equitable distribution of land, if the convention. is to have any meaningful impact on the country's natural resource base. Cr i Imme [dobe l nota uciano Liggio, former Sicillian Mafia boss, died in a Sardinian prison on November 15 aged 68. He was born in Corleone, Sicily, on January 6, 1925. As Leonardo Sciascia, their most convincing chronicler, well understood, there was nothing glamorous about Mafiosi of the type represented by Luciano Liggio. Notwithstanding his alleged predilection for the philosophy of Kant and the novels of Dostoyevky, 14ggio was essentially a small town thug whose career, in a place less corrupt than Sicily,. might never have got much' beyond the cattle rustling expedition with which it began. He was a gangster of the "shoot before you think" variety, whose bloodstained careers have nevertheless attracted a certain breath. less fascination from American writers of the school of Mario Puzo. .Even by Sicilian stands, Liggio and his Corleonesi overdid it. So profligate were they in their use of murder to further their "business" interests that in the end, they disgusted many of their own kind and shattered the age-old code of silence, omerta. This was a remarkable feat in an island community which has so often throughout its history been the helpless slave of its own worship of brute force. In 'prison, where he languished from Tracking sperm traffic ONDON: Monitoring the direction ars take at 'busy junctions is an nlikely source of technology for assessing male fertility, but scientists in Britain are discovering that the movement of spermatozoa is remarkably similar to rush-hour traffic! Researchers In the reproductive toxicology department of London-based Glaxo Group Research (GGR) are currently evaluating a machine that was originally produced at Sheffield University in northern England for monitoring traffic flow and later developed for the analysis of sperm movement It is now knownas the Spermtracker. Under the direction of Dr. Derek Newell, GGR is using the machine to observe the behaviour of animal spermatozoa in laboratory test tube experiments. Research manager Mr. Mark Sutherland, explained: "Currently, there is a lot of interest in the potential for chemicals to affect the quality of human sperm. The technology for automated examination of sperm has often proved inadequate in the past, but the Spermtracker appears to be a breakthrough. Using this equipment, we can detect anomalies in the pattern and speed of movement of sperm." The machine tracks each spermatozoon over 15 consecutive points. Data is then analysed to establish whetner the spermatozoa are moving in a relatively straight line or erratically. The Spermtracker is currently, being used at London Zoo to improve the breeding of rare species by choosing male apimals with healthy sperm. Mr. Sutherland continued: "We are evaluating the machine as a useful tool to monitor possible deleterious effects of chemicals on animal sperm. It may be a significant contribution to overall reproductive safety assessment." - LPS. El 1974 until the end of his life, Uggio liked to play the cultured grandee, reading and dabbling in painting (at which he was by no means bad, unless, as has been suggested, he signed the work of another talented inmate). But, in truth, 'his influence from behind bars was not nearly as great as he liked to think. Power had long passed to a new generation of Mafia chiefs represented by Salvatore "Toto" Riina; he in his turn, was arrested earlier this year, amid a wave of popular anti-Mafia feeling which gave some hope that, for the first time, Sicily might have the nerve to rid itself of its ancestral curse. Luciano Liggio was one of ten children. His first step down the road of wrong: doing which was to make his native hill town Corleone almost synonymous with Sicilian criminality, was rustling cattle whose meat he then sold it. Palerno. He was murdering men from his late teens - anyone who got in his way. But his first prominent victim wilas Placido- Rizzotto, a socialist trade unionist who had been trying to organise among local farm workers. Liggio had him thrown into a ravine and then acquired Rizzotto's fiance for his mistress. He next set about dominating Corleone and eliminating its most important family. Its head, Michele Navarra, was ambushed and riddled with lupara (wolf shot), the large steel ball bearings favoured as the instrument of Sicilian Mafia slayings. Over the few years, Uiggio and his men wiped out the entire Navarra family. Moving to Palermo in the 1950s, Liggio and his gang fought for their share of the city's important construction and haulage industries, shooting their way to supremacy and murdering countless of their Mafia compe'tors on the way. Llggio was eventually arrested, tried and imprisoned for Navarra's murder in 1964. He spent five years in jail but was released on appeal in 1969. He then moved to Milan where he became influential in the drug trafficking industry. But his addiction to violence at whatever cost was again his undoing. Arrested in 1974, for.kidnapping a Lombard industrialist, he was sentenced to life imprisonment. In 1984, he was transferred to the maximum security prison near Nuoro in Sodinia. There, his power gone, he became a distant spectator in the massive series of Palermo trials of the mid-1 980s which resulted in more than 300 Mafiosi receiving jail sentences. n ZIMBA

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Storyr ito Zimbabwe transformns constitutioni Cde. Emmerson Munangagwa imbabwe's Constitution has been radically transformed since independence in 1980, and is now a far-cry from the compromise document adopted at Lancaster House in London, 14 years ago, leading to the end of white minority rule. The far- reaching amendments have been made at a hectic pace and Zimbabwe's basic law has been amended 13 times in 13 years. Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Cde. Emmerson Mnangagwa says the amendments were necessary to consolidate the State's sovereignity. On October 12, Cde. Mnangagwa, defending the amendments in Parliament, said: "Our Constitution is adapting itself to our ideals. It is dynamic. A Constitution which does not move with the times will eventually be overtaken by events and left out. in fact, amendments to the Constitution are necessary in order to consolidate our independence." However, Chief Justice Anthony Gubbay, has warned that the government cannot go on amending the Constitution forever because the Constitutional edifice stands on "fundamental principles which are its structural pillars' and which cannot be removed without pulling down the whole structure. The latest amendment is meant to align the Constitution with the recent Supreme Court ruling that delays in hanging prisoners on death row violate the Constitution. By Elliot Mahende An analysis of the amendments since 1981 shows an increasing determination by the ruling ZANU PF Party to "indigenise" the Constitution at the slightest opportunity given that the liberation movements accepted the document with reservations at Lancaster House in 1979. The first two amendments in 1981 dealt with qualifications for legal practitioners in Zimbabwe and appointments of members of the Senate Legal Committee, a key organ that would be a guardian of the Constitution. Entry qualifications, particularly the number of years spent in practice in Zimbabwe, were lowered to allow quick entry for black Zimbabweans, some of, whom had been practising abroad. Instead of having the general and appellate division of the High Court, the Government introduced the High Court and Supreme Court while references to advocates and attorneys were removed, and the term "legal practitioners" introduced instead. Chief Justice The position of Chief Justice was created to head the Judiciary and the Supreme Court. The next amendment removed the automatic right of formner Rhodesians to Zimbabwean citizenship if they had become citizens of other countries unless thev renounced the other citizpnship. Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Act of 1983 also allowed for the appointment of a minister without the person being a Member of Parliament although he or she was required to become a member of either of the'two chambers at the time within three months of such an appointment. The term "tribal trust lands" used to designate the waste lands where most blacks were concentrated was replaced by "communal lands" under the same amendment. In 1984, the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 4) Act introduced flexibility on the part of the President in appointing an acting judge or appointments to the Judicial Service Commission by reducing the period the person was required to have practised in Zimbabwe from seven years to five years. A landmark amendment to the Constitution came in 1985 when the Consti- Professor Canaan Banana tution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 5) Act introduced provincial governors. But among the most far-reaching amendments and saw the government assert complete authority were the two amendments in 1987. Amendment number six abolished the segregated white voters roll under which whites would elect their 20 representatives to the 1 00seat House of Assembly. This section had been entrenched for seven years by the Lancaster House Constitution to safeguard white interests during the initial phase of majority rule. The seventp amendment in 1987 introduced ihe Executive Presidency. bringing in a powerful head of state and government. The Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No.7) Act saw the retirement of President Cde. Canaan Banana and the ascendancy of then Prime Minister, Cde. Robert Mugabe, as the First Executive President of Zimbabwe. The eighth amendment fine-tuned the new presidential powers. It also confirmed an expanded role for the office of the Attorney-General as the principal legal adviser to the government, with permission to sit in both Cabinet and Parliament, but with no voting powers. In another far-reaching move, Constitutional Amendment Number Nine abolished the Senate or Upper House of Parliament, thereby introducing a single chamber Parliament. Contiued on page 33 ZIMBAB

Zimbabwe transforms constitution Continuedfrompage 32 Chief Justice Anthony Gubbay The number ot seats in the new system Were increased from 100 to 150, of which 120 would be contested directly on the common voters roll, 12 to be appointed by the President, eight to be provincial governors, again appointed by the President, while 10 would be chiefs. Members of Parliament defecting or expelled from their parties may lose their seats but those appointed by the President are under no such obligation. Following the Unity Accord between the former ZANU (PF) and PF-ZAPU and the general elections of 1990, it was found politically necessary to create a senior position for former PF-ZAPU leader Cde. Joshua Nkomo and Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 10) of 1990 provided forthe appointment of another vice president. It took effect on August 3, 1990. The 11 th amendment also came in 1990. After a Supreme Court ruling that corporal punishment was "inhuman and degrading" and therefore violated the Constitution, a ruling applauded internationally, the executive went to Parliament and sought an amendment to section 15 to allow for corporal punishment on people under 18 years by a competent authority or by a parent. The executive also reinforced the death penalty by inserting the necessary dause which confirmed the constitutionality of hanging. The Judiciary, particularly Chief Justice Gubbay, expressed dismay at this amendment, saying it was a retrogressive move and undermined fundamental human rights. However, in the much debated amendment to date, the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 11) Act amended section 16, and opened the way for the government to acquire commercial farmland owned by the country's 4 000 white farmers and use it for resettlement of black small-scale farmers and redress a historical grievance. The amendment, not constitutionally possible in the first 10 years of independence, provided for Parliament to enact legislation, the Land Acquisition Act of 1992, setting terms for acquisition of land but with the owners having right of recourse to the courts or in constesting the compensation offered or when it would be paid. Despite the outcry, particularly from the white community, the government came up with a further amendment, the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 12) Act of 1993 which deals with the determination of compensation for land acquired. Attorney-General Cde. Patrick Chinamasa vision was made for Parliamqnt to enact legislation to strearmine the defence forces and police. The latest amendment, Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No.13) Act, was , a result of a Supreme Court ruling that delays in the execution of condemned prisoners was an inhuman and degrading treatment. An amendment has now been introduced to ensure that such delays and conditions to which prisoners are subjected to are constitutional. Makoni South Member of Parliament, Cde. Gibson Munyoro, said constitutional changes had to be meaningful while the minister siid the amendments undertaken did just that, "to seal one loophole or another". Lately, some of the loopholes have been effectively sealed as the executive remoulded the country's supreme law Itwas in the same amendment that o~ro- to suit urgent economic obiectives. II uclear bombs come by the megatoni, but today's biggest killers come by the pound, in lethal little lumps of plastic and powder, a bargain at US$36 (about Z$2161 a dozen. Along village lanes and riverbanks, high on mountain passes, in wheat fields and rice paddies, the lowly land mine is felling people by the tens of thousands in trouble-torn corners of the world, and like any other pollution, this explosive litter of war is spawning its own cleanup movement A small international corps of politicians, diplomats and aid groups is making quiet headway in a campaign to rid the world's arsenals of anti-personnel land mines. They have scored successes in Washington and Western Europe, and are now turning to the United Nations for help on an immediate goal: choking off the global trade in the explosive devices. Up to 100 million land mines, often leftovers, from civil wars, are scattered across the landscape in more than 50. countries, including Afghanistan. First developeci as defensive armaments, land mines are now often used to terronse civilian populations in the world's small-scale conflicts. Once the wars subside, the left-behind mines keep on killing. The mayhem in places like Cambodia, where mine blasts have left an estimated 30 000 amputees, stirred the advocates into action. "If you look at what has happened in Afghanistan, in Cambodia, in Angola, in Continued on page 34 Z. V% I ,'' 6ER, 1993 Feattire Momentum builds was in thp qamp ampndmpnt that nro- to suit iectivas M against explosives

Momentum builds against explosives Mozambique, it's a real nightmare" said Michael Miraillet, a French UN diplomat' promoting land-mine restrictions. An outright ban will face powerful opposition. The Pentagon, for example, defends the land mine as a legitimate weapon of war. For now, anti-mine campaigners intend to "stigmatise" the use of the weapon one step at a time. US General Patrick Leahy, describes it as "giving the same onus to land mines as to poison gas or chemical weapons. It doesn't mean you eliminate all use forever, but you certainly curtail much of the use." The Vermont Democrat, a leader of the campaign in Washington, is making progress. On September 14, the Senate voted 100-0 to extend for three years a moratorium, first adopted last year, on U.S. exports of anti-personnel mines. It was expected to win final Congressional and White House approval by November. The measure also d-clares it US policy to seek an eventual global ban on manufacture and use of anti-personnel mines. The offensive, meanwhile, is winning other battles too: - The European Parliament has urged western European Governments to impose five-year moratoriums on mine exports. So far, France and *Belgium have comllied, and Italy, a major mine manufacturer, says it is considering a moratorium. - At the United Nations, the US delegation will push for a General Assembly resolution this fall urging all governments worldwide to suspend exports of anti-personnel mines. - By November, the defence department was expected to have joined the State Department in recommending US ratification of a 1980 treaty governing use of land mines, said an informed Pentagon source, who spoke on condition he not be quoted by name. - Within 18 months, at France's request, an international conference is expected to convene to.review and toughen that Treaty's provisions. the 1980 Treaty prohibits "indiscriminate" use of mines and requires mapping of mine fields by those who lay them. The review conference is expected to extend the treaty's coverage to Continued froin page 33 civil wars, and add provisions for verifying compliance and punishing violators. The basic anti-personnel land mine is less than a pound of high explosives encased in plastic, metal or even wood. it is usually buried just below the surface, and is detonated by piessure of a footstep or the tripping of a wire. Land mines dominate today's warfronts because they are cheap, costing as little as US$3 apiece. They can be easily scattered by airdrop or even artillery shells, and they allow small guerrilla armies to control large areas. Combatants use them to disrupt, agriculture and make broad swaths of territory uninhabitable for their rivals' civilian supporters. In the prolonged' guerrilla wars of the past two decades, mine fields have accumulated as never before. Possibly, 10 million mines still litter Afghanistan, where aid groups estimate 200 000 people have been killed by their explosions. Many were dropped by Soviet planes, including small bufferflyshaped devices that, tragically, attracted children. The numbers elsewhere are almost as daunting: 9 million mines in Angola; 4 million in Cambodia; 3 million in Iraq's Kurdish region; 2 million each in Somalia; Mozambique and the former Yugoslavia. "De-mining" such accumulation is impossible. The UN crews clearing Af-. ghanistan's mines would take 4 300 years to finish the job at the current rate, the Red Cross says. The Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation, one of a 'alf- dozen groups working for a ban on anti-personnel mines, took on the cause after beginning a programme in Cambodia to fit civil war casualties with artificial limbs. "Land mines have caused more casualties than any other weapon," said executive director Bobby. Muller. !'We thought that instead of putting more and more legs on people, let's deal with the weapon." More than 300 types of anti-personnel land mines are manufactured in 44 countries, report researchers for Human Rights Watch and Physicians for Human Rights. The variety itself will complicate the debate over limits or bans. Alliant Techsvstems Inc. of Edina. Minn., contends that its anti-personnel mines should be exempted from the US export moratorium because they are "selfneutralising" - they blow themselves up after a fixed period, removing the long-term threat to civilians. Besides, said a company statement, an export ban is futile because it "opens the door to increased production and use by countries that will never support" international controls. Russia and China, big land-mine marketers, could prove to be major obstades to the anti-mine campaign. So could US military doctrine. Pentagon officials say the problem lies not in proper military use of land-mines, but in guerrilla abuse. Modem armies either deploy self-neutralising mines, or clear areas of the devices after conflict, they say. But anti-mines activists contend such techniques are not fully effective, and continued, trade will encourage abuse. Can their arguments, in the end, sweep the world clean of anti-personnel mines? "I absolutely think there can be a ban. on land mines," answers Muller, who fought as a marine lieutenant in Viet-. nam. "Once you educate people minimally regarding land mines andtheir horrible effects, you get amazing support." - ZIANA-AP. I The Chairman and Board of Jongwe Printers, the Managing Director ,and Staff convey their sincere regards to all their clients and people of Zimbabwe in their endeavours during the Christmas holiday and the New Year. ZIMBABW __ M 1993 Limassol statement on -the Uruguay Round ommonwealth leaders representing a wide range of developed and Sdeveloping countries are unanimous in affirming the urgent need for a successful and substantial outcome to the Uruguay Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations. Recognising the contribution that trade liberalisation and better international trade rules can make to economic growth and development, we believe that a strong multilateral trading system is the best guarantor that all countries, both developed and developing, will share in thesq benefits. We are convinced that a successful conclusion of the Uruguay Round will provide a much needed stimulus to the world economy as a whole as well as to individual Commonwealth members. Failure would mean not only lost opportunity but the likelihood of increased protectionism and unilateralism. Accordingly, we affirm our commitment to a comprehensive, equitable and. balanced conclusion of the Uruguay 'Round by 15 December, 1993, which must be seen as the final deadline. After seven years of effort, now is the time to secure the benefits of a successful Round package. This must cover all aspects of the negotiations including trade rules and market access in the three areas of industrial goods (including textiles, resource-based and other products of particular export interest to developing countries), agriculture and trade in services. The outcome must reflect the needs of the wider trading community, and not just those of sectional interests. The basis for reaching settlement is the Draft Final Act. We stress the need to avoid actions which could seriously jeopardise successful conclusion of the negotiations in the limited time available. On industrial goods, we call on the four parties to the Tokyo Accord on tariff reduction to build urgently on the commitments they made, to secure a substantial market access package.in which all can participate through improved offers. Given the importance of agriculture to both developing and developed countries, we emphsise the need for an outcome which liberalises market access and reduces domestic support and export subsidies in accordance with the Draft Final Act, as modified by the Blair House Accord. Recognising also the importance of trade in services, we call for maximum adherence and the broadest coverage of services sectors. To achieve this, there must be an improvement in offers of initial liberalisation commitments consistent with levels of development. we underline the importance we attach to future trade relations being conducted in accordance with an integrated system of strengthened GATT rules and an effective GATT dispute settlement system, which eschews unilateral action. In pursuing the above objectives, we emphasise that the principal trading nations should take full account of the needs and concerns of developing countries particularly the least developed, including their'food interests. The time that remains for successful con-,, clusion of the Round is now very short. Only 55 days remain and we are therefore despatching a Ministerial mission to selected capitals to call upon key participants and to urge them to negotiate positively and flexibly to reach final agreement. El ZIMBABWE NEWS DECEMBER, 1993 Subscription Form For ZIMBABWE NEWS Please send: 012 issues (1 Year) Z$15 E6issues (six months) Z$7.50 F]A subscription form for other countries than Zimbabwe to the undermentioned person:Name: ...... (Please Print) Address:...... S ig n a tu r e : ...... The Rates Include Postage and Handling. , I enclose my cheque/postal order for the amount indicated above. Mail to: The Sales Officer/Zimbabwe News Jongwe Printing & Publishing Co. 14 Austin Road Workington, Harare, Zimbabwe

Book UevieL! Mrs Margaret Thatcher he appearance of Margaret Thatcher's memoirs last month has been one of the most eagerly awaited publishing events in many years. THE DOWNING STREET YEARS is a first-hand portrayal of the events and personalities of her years in power. She recalls talks of her three election victories, the Falklands War, her battles at home with "faint-hearted or misguided" ministers. Lady Thatcher pulls not punches. Her judgements of the men and women she has encountered, whether world statesmen or cabinet colleagues, are sometimes brutally frank. She is lavish with praise where she feels it is due, but devastating in her criticism when it is not. The book ends with an account of her last days in power, which is as gripping as a thriller fiction. Reviewers say the book is as much an argument as it is a defence of her philosophy and work as prime minister. No previous prime minister of Britain has sought to change Britain and its place in the world as radically as she did. Her government, she says, was about the application of a philosophy, not the implementation of an administrative programme. She packs 900 pages with forcefulness and conviction and the reasons for her beliefs and how she sought to turn them into action. Lady Thatcher was leader of the Conservative Party for fifteen years and prime minister for eleven years and a half. The book, at the high price of £250 (Z$2 500) per copy, has already sold out. Zimbabwe An early chapter under "Foreign Affairs During The First Eighteen Months in 1979-1980", is devoted to "The Rhodesian Settlement". Here, she criticises Cde. President Robert Mugabe and the present leadership for no apparent reason. She does not tell her readers that she came to power already decided to give power to Bishop Muzorewa, and that the thrust of her policy in Rhodesia and South Africa was to support the white settler communities. Because her policy failed, she then launches a tirade of criticism of those forces and persons who were opposed to that policy. The fact that Cdes. Mugabe and Joshua Nkomo were fighting for true democracy that would last did not concern her. Rhodesia had been a long standing problem to successive British governments, and moreso when Ian Smith declared independence unilaterally for purely racial reasons. Lady Thatcher says Rhodesia had caused particular difficulties for the Conservative Party, a large section of whom believed that the economic sanctions imposed against the illegal regime were futile and damaging insisted on voting against them when they came up for annual renewal. She was the leader of that school of thought. She always, fought to defeat sanctions or to render them ineffective, so that the white settlers would remain in power. But, she failed dismally in this objective. Both the Conservative and Labour front benches had long been committed to seek a settlement on the basis of the socalled "six principles". But Margaret Thatcher tried to ignore these principles or to modify them. In particular, she was prepared to ignore the basic principle of NIBMAR - No Independence Before Majority African Rule. She was prepared to give independence to the minority government of Zimbabwe-Rhodesia, led by Ian Smith and Muzorewa. That determination was thwarted by the intensification of both the guerilla war by ZANLA and ZIPRA, and international economic sanctions. Therefore, Thatcher found she could not implement the backward policy she really wanted What finally came out as policy on Rhodesia was the work of Commonwealth leaders at Lusaka in 1979, and African States in the OAU, especially Nigeria which imposed economic sanctions on British companies in Nigeria. Continued on page 38 Frm left to right: Cde. Robert Mugabe, the late Ernest Kadungure and Cde. Joshua Nkomo at the Lancaster House constitution conference in London, Britain in 1979 ZIMBAB .- 10" ....N "1"-,3

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JSo R~vo Lady Thatc~her's memo" S V pOWEm SWANTED BER V MIANSIRP -TtiEMJ~ U9tFA E9S O0FMO The oppressed majority was determined to achieve genuine independence despite efforts by Britain to recognise the minority government of Zimbabwe-Rhodesia But, Thatcher was fighting against them all the way. Therefore, she has nothing to claim and no credit to take for the emergence of Zimbabwe. It emerged inspite of her opposition. Authentic movements She notes that: "Mr. Mugabe's party, to most people's surprise, won an over whelming vfctory." Infact, the people of Rhodesia, and of Africa were not surprised. They knew the people would support the authentic liberation movements once they were given a chance. Only the right wingers and white settler supporters were surprised. She says it was sad that Rhodesia-Zimbabwe finished up with a Marxist government in a continent where there were too many Marxists maladministering their countries' resources. But she admits that political and military realities were all too evidently on the side of the guerilla leaders. The anti-communism rhetoric of Margaret Thatcher united the Conservative Party behind her leadership, but it distorted their view of Africa and the Africans. What Africans wanted was freedom and independence for themselves, not communism or Marxism. This factor has become clearer since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The threat of communism is gone, but the grievances of Africa, and of the Africans, are still there and getting even more acute. Lady Thatcher says from the British point of view, the settlement'also had large benefits. "With the Rhodesian question finally solved, we again played an effective role in dealinR with other Commonwealth - and especially African issues, including the pressing problem of the future of Namibia and the longer-term challenge of bringing peaceful change to South Africa. Britain had demonstrated her ability, by a combination of honest dealing and forceful diplomacy, to settle one of the most intractable disputes arising from her colonial past." But, as already pointed out, it is sheer dishonesty for Britain to claim victory in the solution of the problems of Rhodesia, Namibia and South Africa. African tour Zimbabwe does come up frequently in later pages, especially in relation to the question of sanctions against south Africa. Half-way through the book, Lady Thatcher recalls her first official visit to Zimbabwe, which was part of an Africa tour which also took her to Morocco, Nigeria, Malawi and Namibia. During the visit, she flew out to Nyanga Training Camp with President Mugabe, where they were joined by President ]oaquim Chissano of Mozambique. Mrs Thatcher says she watched British troops training Mozambican soldiers to fight RENAMO and could not help reflecting how impossible this prospect would have seemed back in 1979 when she was trying to bring Rhodesia back to peace and legality. Lady Thatcher states that at this stage, she was somewhat irritated that President Mugabe was still pursuing a dd6trinaire socialism, suspicious of foreign investment and reluctant to accept the She has a lot of extremely nice things to say about President Banda. She said: "It was an unforgettable occasion. I found him (Banda) bright, alert and humorous. Almost alone, he had b iit up Malawi, a poor country, into one with sound finances and sensibly developed agriculture." She mentions the disagreeable side of the Banda regime, more to balance her presentation, rather than'to criticise Malawi. She -says in part: "Opponents quickly found themselves in jail and traders who, like several of my own Asian constituents, tried to get their money out of the country had their property confiscated." Renamo terrorists Lady Thatcher says she remembers being fired on with missiles by Renamo during her flight from Harare to Mozambique. She visited a refugee camp housing over 600 000 Mozambicans and she says what they told her about the atioities committed and the reign of fear created in their villages by Renamo was truly horrifying. She says after this visit, she could never be tempted to regard, Renamo as anticommunist freedom fighters in the way that some right-wing Americans coi tinued to. They were terrorists, she says. Lady Thatcher remembers the American invasion of Grenada as an unhappy time for her. In her condemnation of the invasion, she recalls that she struck common ground with President Mugabe who warned, during CHOGM in New Delhi, that Grenada would provide a precedent for South Africa in dealing with her neighbours. She felt dismayed at having to explain in the House of Commons and to the British public how it had happened that a member of the Commonwealth had been invaded by Britain's closest ally. She, however, felt compelled to defend the United States' reputation in the face of widespread condemnation. The book is a true reflection of Margaret Thatcher in Number 1 q, Downing Street, The "Iron lady" who was pro-settlers-in Africa and pro-capital. Africans have no capita' and they do not want those -settlers who took their land. ] ZIMBABWE NEWS DECEMBER, 1993 and Affica prescriptions of the IMandthe Bank At the same timass4C Cde. Mugabe, sheshowers prai Hastings Kamuz Banda ofa ran an autocratic and undemcra gime there. Somegood'chne ing made now, but at the time of 11 er's visit, Malawi was not dern but was notorious for human abuses and violations. elchior Muramuya Ndadaye, M the late President of Burundi, was summarily executed by insurgents in the early hours of Thursday, October 21 when elements of-the army staged a violent coup d'etat. According to The Independent of Britain, Ndadaye was the symbol of the "New Burundi" and the country's first president to be chosen in multiparty elections. He embodied the hopes of many Burundians for a future of dignity and justice. His death hd unleashed the demons of the past and destroyed years of efforts at reconciliation. His disappearance is a sad loss for democracy and human rights in Burundi. His life and death ran parallel with Burundi's recent history. Ethnic strife and violence have been the hallmark of Burundian politics since the coup d'etat of 1965, when the majority ethnic group of Hutu (about 85 percent of the population) were excluded from participation in power. The minority Tutsi, which constitutes 15 percent of the population, increasingly monopolised government, the administration, the judiciary and actess to education. The base of this hegemony was the army, composed almost exclusively of Tutsi. Tensions resulted in regular outbursts of ethnic violence, which reached genocidal proportions in 1972, when at least 100 000 Hutu were killed by the armed forces. Among the additional 300 000 fleeing the country was Ndadaye. Born in Nyabihanga, central Burundi, in 1953, Ndadaye was a secondary school pupil when he went into exile in Butare, Rwanda,' Burundi's neighbour to the north, where he completed secondary school and took a degree in education at the National University of Rwanda. There he became politically active in the refugee community. In 1976, he co-founded the Movement .Des Etudiants Progressistes Burundi (Pampere) which he chaired until 1979, when the merger of a number of organisations led to the creation of the Labour Part'of Burundi (UBU). Ndadaye chaired its information department until 1983. Convinced of the need to conduct the political struggle inside Burundi, he returned from exile in September, 1983. At the professional level, he led the promotion and training department of the rural credit and savings cooperative, Coopec. This experience instilled in him a profound commitment to improving the fate of the peasantry, which constitutes over 90 percent of Burundi's population of 5.5 million. After additional banking training in France, he worked at the Meridian Bank BIAO, a position which he held from 1989 up to his eletion as president last June. In the political field, he founded the clandestine Front Pour La Democratic Au Burundi (Frodebu) in 1986, at the peak of president Jean-Baptiste Bagaza's dictatorial regime. Bagaza was overthrown by Major Pierre Buyoya in September 1987. After another round of massive ethnic violence in August, 1988, Buyoya embarked on a policy of national reconciliation, by appointing a cabinet in which Hutu and Tutsi held an equal number of portfolios and through the drafting of a chatter on national unity. As elsewhere in Africa, this was followed by a democratisat4on process which culminated in multi-party elections last June. Ndadaye was elected president, with 65 percent of the votes, while his Frodebu obtained over 70 percent of the votes at the parliamentary elections. In circumstances made extraordinarily difficult by the country's ethnic equation, Burundi appeared to have succeeded in making a peaceful transition from almost 30 year-, of authoritarian minority rule to a democratic form of government. In the minds of many Tutsi people, the military in particular, this outcome threatened their privileges and even their most elementary rights. Although Buyoya had gracefully acknowledged defeat and handed over power to Ndadaye, the signs of discontent were obvious. A coup attempt failed during the night of 2 - 3 July because plotters were unable to muster enough support, but the threat of mutinies and attempted coups remained. The consequences of the October coup are horrendous. Not only were president Ndadaye and some other high ranking officials assassinated, but wide-spread inter-ethnic violence has erupted and the ariny has once again killed Hutu civilians. No figures were available at the time of writing. n ZIM R, 1993 The late Burundian president, Meichoir Muramuya Ndadaye Melchoi Ndaday wa a, ..~ sybo of new Brni

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