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For Immediate Release
June, 11 2009, 12:07pm EDT
Contact:
Michael Stulman (202) 546-7961
Africa Action Releases Statement on U.S.- Policy Towards Zimbabwe
On the occasion of Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's
first official visit to Washington, DC, Africa Action released a
statement this
morning urging the U.S. Government to seize the opportunity to initiate
fundamental reforms in U.S. policy towards Zimbabwe. Prime Minister
Morgan Tsvangirai
is set to meet this week with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
today,
and President Obama on Friday.
WASHINGTON
On the occasion of Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's
first official visit to Washington, DC, Africa Action released a
statement this
morning urging the U.S. Government to seize the opportunity to initiate
fundamental reforms in U.S. policy towards Zimbabwe. Prime Minister
Morgan Tsvangirai
is set to meet this week with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
today,
and President Obama on Friday.
Africa Action expresses great concern over a statement this week
attributed to Johnnie
Carson, assistant secretary of State for African Affairs.
In an interview published Monday on Reuters,
Carson made an announcement that
the U.S. has no plans to shift policy on Zimbabwe.
"It will be a
grave
mistake if the U.S. fails to come up with a new policy consistent with
the
changing developments on the ground in Zimbabwe," responded
Gerald LeMelle, Executive Director of
Africa Action.
Africa Action
has
long called for a policy that is not for or against any individuals but
a
policy based on advancing the human rights, and democratic and economic
interests
of the people of Zimbabwe.
"The U.S.
must adopt a new approach in Zimbabwe
that advances the
transition towards democratic governance, economic security,
truth, justice and reconciliation,"
said LeMelle. The U.S.
policy
towards Zimbabwe today is limited to sanctions while assisting with
humanitarian assistance.
Michael Stulman, Associate Director of
Policy
and Communications said this morning; "Continuation of U.S.
sanctions
against Zimbabwe at this point will not help strengthen democracy. In fact, this is economic coercion that is
more harmful than it is helpful."
To read "U.S.
Policy towards Zimbabwe: Time for Change" visit
www.africaaction.org
Africa Action is a national organization that works for political, economic and social justice in Africa. Through the provision of accessible information and analysis combined with the mobilization of public pressure we work to change the policies and policy-making processes of U.S. and multinational institutions toward Africa. The work of Africa Action is grounded in the history and purpose of its predecessor organizations, the American Committee on Africa (ACOA), The Africa Fund, and the Africa Policy Information Center (APIC), which have fought for freedom and justice in Africa since 1953. Continuing this tradition, Africa Action seeks to re-shape U.S. policy toward African countries.
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