Examination of Witness (Questions 80-89)
MS GEORGINA
GODWIN
TUESDAY 21 JANUARY 2003
80. Are you saying then that the UN is actually
guilty of party political selective distribution of food?
(Ms Godwin) I am, actually. I believe they may not
be doing it deliberately, but they are certainly aware of the
ORAP link; it has been brought to their attention several times.
81. What about other UN organisations in Zimbabwe?
Is the UN Refugee Organisation present at all? Any other humanitarian
UN organisations?
(Ms Godwin) Yes.
82. Is UNDP there?
(Ms Godwin) UNDP is there and there was a story about
them today which I am trying to recall, but cannot. Yes. But again
there is this whole problem of internal displacement. There is
a lot of wrangling about words because people are being thrown
off farms—ex-farm workers—and they are internally
displaced. There has been an international argument that until
these people are actually refugees outside their own country not
a lot can be done.
83. What is your perception of the UK's DFID
organisation in Zimbabwe, in terms of any role it is playing there?
(Ms Godwin) Once again, more could be done and if
one sees that the right thing is not being done one should speak
out surely.
84. Have you had any contact with DFID people
in Zimbabwe?
(Ms Godwin) Once again, we are told that we cannot
ask any political questions and not to interfere with good programmes.
Chairman
85. Are there any suggestions that British Government
agencies are tainting their own work by funnelling it through
organisations linked to the Mugabe regime?
(Ms Godwin) Not that I am aware of. But every organisation
there seeks permission and has meetings with the regime in order
to be able to distribute their food. Whilst I understand that
may have been necessary, surely regular meetings do not have to
take place. Surely it is take it or leave it; here is the food,
do you want it?
86. What about the EU? Are there any allegations
made about EU assistance?
(Ms Godwin) Not to my knowledge.
Mr Olner
87. Some senior people from Matebeleland did
suggest that one of the quickest ways to make Zimbabweans sink
and perhaps get rid of Mugabe was to stop sending food because
actually the food was propping up his regime. Would you go along
with that?
(Ms Godwin) I think that the food is propping us his
regime, but it is very hard to suggest that one's own people are
starved.
88. You are going to let us know about the funding
of SW Radio Africa. Could you tell us how many personnel are involved
in this country?
(Ms Godwin) Eight.
Chairman
89. Ms Godwin, you have been of great help to
the Committee. You have given us information, some of which we
were not aware of. Thank you.
(Ms Godwin) Just before I go I really wanted to say
that I would possibly have spoken out more but I am very intimidated—as
I am sure my colleagues here who have been raped and beaten are—by
the presence of the Zimbabwean High Commissioner. Thank you.
| 
