What they said about Zim's power-sharing deal
http://www.zimonline.co.za
by Simplicious Chirinda
Tuesday 16 September 2008
John Robertson, a Harare-based independent economic analyst: -- "Yes
they have signed the deal but the most im****tant thing is to restore
the confidence of investors and other international financers who are
needed to help fund the kicking-starting of the economy.
"This can only be done by putting in place an enabling environment for
investors to be able to come and invest and this should be done by
restoring property rights. The three political leaders have to do more
and go further to make sure that if these investors come their property
will be protected.
"If this deal gives more power to President Robert Mugabe then it won't
be able to help solve the crisis in the country. This country needs a
lot of help in the form of international donors and financiers and
these can only release the much needed funds if the three leaders show
commitment to proper economic fundamentals that have been ignored for
long."
Eldred Masunungure, University of Zimbabwe political scientist: "It is
a hopeful development but we are now talking about a deal which appears
to be a fragile flower where the three principals have to nurture it if
it is to address the protracted economic crisis in the country."
Lovemore Madhuku, a lawyer and chairperson of the National
Constitutional Assembly political pressure group: "This is certainly
not the right way to solve the country's problems. It is merely a
solution for politicians to accommodate each other in a government
because it was arrived at without the input of the people.
"From today it can simply be called a government of President Robert
Mugabe with the inclusion of the MDC. Zimbabweans must not be cheated
by the title given to Tsvangirai, the post of Prime Minister is clearly
ceremonial. We are still puzzled why Tsvangirai signed this deal.
"It is shocking that the deal wants to impose the constitution onto the
people of Zimbabwe by putting in place the so called Kariba do***ent
which was penned by four people. We are not going to accept that and we
will fight against it."
Kucaca Phulu, chairperson of Zimbabwe Human Rights Association
(ZimRights): "This deal, whatever is inside the signed do***ents is the
starting point and as civic society we have to ensure that this
government performs to the expectations of the people.
"It's a great leap forward but the challenge is to make it work and we
will work as a watchdog and make sure that the institutions of the
country guarantee the rights of the people."
Tomaz Salamao, Executive director of the Southern African Development
Community (SADC): "There is no doubt that the signing of this deal will
provide that much needed momentum for us to help kick start the economy
of Zimbabwe.
"We have done studies on the Zimbabwean economy and have put in place a
fund to help finance the recovery of the Zimbabwean economy. We have
done studies in the economy of the country and its policies, the
central bank, agricultural sector, monetary policy and exchange rate
determinants and we will just be updating these to the deal that has
just been signed."
Muchadeyi Masunda Harare Mayor and a prominent business executive:
"There has to be realisation by all political parties that the economy
is at an abysmally low level.
"The three political party leaders should be magnanimous enough to say
it's time to build the economy, the country cannot with the current
state of the economy carry the number of the 31 ministries proposed. It
is abnormal."
Javier Solana, European Union foreign policy chief: "We have to
analyse, it's still not clear what is going to be the outcome of the
agreement."
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown's office: "In principle we stand
ready to sup****t Zimbabwe's new administration, to bring about
much-needed change, but the extent and nature of our sup****t will be
determined by the actions that the new administration takes on the
ground." - ZimOnline
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