APPENDIX 13
Memorandum from the Zimbabwe Democracy
Trust
1. It is clear that the extent of the crisis
in Zimbabwe and the impact it is having on Zimbabweans and the
SADC region is understood.
2. The issue is therefore not to understand
or discuss the nature of the crisis any further, but to look at
what the British government can do to alleviate the crisis in:
3. We believe there are three courses of
action that need to be taken.
i. Practical and humanitarian measures to
address the famine and help the displaced farmers and workers.
ii. Strategic diplomatic relations aimed
at ensuring there is a constructive dialogue between all players
so that there is an appropriate and co-ordinated response from
the international community—including the SADC countries
and Nigeria—when Zimbabwe's one-year suspension from the
Commonwealth is due for review.
iii. Setting up of a multi-party parliamentary
Zimbabwe Committee with a mandate to ensure that i. and ii. above
are being adequately addressed. The Committee should have responsibility
for driving the preparation and co-ordination of a strategic policy
plan for Zimbabwe related to the possible scenarios at the end
of the one year Commonwealth suspension.
SHORT-TERM
COURSE OF
ACTION
4. Set up a fund or project aimed at addressing
the specific needs of the displaced farmers and workers.
5. Set up a cross-party parliamentary Zimbabwe
Committee.
LONG-TERM
COURSE OF
ACTION
6. Agree that a strategic and co-ordinated
plan of action from the international community is needed so that
it is prepared to deal with Zimbabwe when the one-year suspension
deadline is due. Focus on including SADC and Nigeria in this co-ordinated
response.
7. Take leadership of the issue using the
EU and the Commonwealth and use the G8 summit as a platform to
raise the issue. Focus on the need to address the famine and increasing
the international isolation of President Mugabe and Zanu-PF.
8. While there is an obvious need to place
emphasis on President Mbeki and the South African government,
it is also important to ensure that this relationship is seen
to be nurtured through the SADC countries. South Africa has made
it clear that it intends to use the SADC mechanism to address
the Zimbabwe issue and it is critical that the British government
is seen to be supporting and respecting this approach.
9. This is important in order to avoid the
"us and them" situation that occurred when Zimbabwe
was suspended from the Commonwealth. It is vital that the SADC
leaders and institutions see the international community as a
constructive partner in helping to solve regional crisis caused
by Zimbabwe, rather than a group of former colonial powers seeking
to impose their will on the region. This will give President Mugabe
less leverage in terms of playing his British colonial race card.
ABOUT THE
ZIMBABWE DEMOCRACY
TRUST
Established in April 2000, the Zimbabwe Democracy
Trust's (ZDT) principle goal is to help the democratic will of
the people flourish, thereby facilitating the development of a
vibrant and healthy society. The ZDT is a non-partisan Trust backed
by highly respected international figures with a connection to,
and love for, Zimbabwe—comprising businessmen, statesmen,
diplomats and politicians.
The ZDT works to give the people of Zimbabwe
a better future by facilitating and supporting initiatives to:
— Promote an effective multi-party
political system.
— Encourage the registration of voters
and assist in the conduct of elections.
— Support constitutional reform.
— Encourage transparency in governance
and respect for the rule of law.
— Encourage the rooting out of corruption.
— To support civil society and the
democratic will of the people.
— To raise awareness of the situation
in Zimbabwe to the wider world.
— To provide financial support to the
cause of democracy.
There is an urgent need for those who want to
see a free and democratic future for Zimbabwe to step forward.
The Zimbabwe Democracy Trust strives to give Zimbabwe back its
future.
Zimbabwe Democracy Trust
May 2002
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