The article below is reproduced without EDIT from the Herald. I leave our readers to comment or decide on it’s Veracity. (Editor)
James: Sanctions no kidding matter
By Themba Sibindi
THE denial by one James Maridadi, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s chief communications officer, that there are economic sanctions on Zimbabwe is a cause for concern particularly at a time we thought we had moved beyond the rhetoric of grandstanding.
The fact that MDC-T denies the existence of sanctions is a clear indication that the party is not interested in dealing with the matter as an outstanding issue, not only in the Global Political Agreement but as a matter at the core of improving livelihoods in Zimbabwe.
Maridadi’s statement can be explained in three ways.
First, it might be that he does not understand what economic sanctions are.
Writing in the American Journal of Political Science, Yale University assistant professor Nikolay Marinov’s essay titled Do Economic Sanctions Destabilise Country Leaders? defines economic sanctions as “[1] government-inspired restrictions (2) on customary trade or aid relations, (3) designed to promote political objectives.
Anyone who is not brain-dead and has knowledge of the Zimbabwean situation can easily identify Marinov’s three elements.
Donald Losman, in his book — International Economic Sanctions: The Cases of Cuba, Israel and Rhodesia — defines economic sanctions as penalties inflicted upon one or more states by one or more others, generally to coerce the target nation(s) to comply with certain norms that the boycott initiators deem proper or necessary.
The forms that economic sanctions take also include interfering or restricting the movement of people, restriction of capital flows and withholding wealth in the boycotting countries.
Given the foregoing definitions, it is difficult for Maridadi to put forward any sane argument to deny the existence of economic sanctions and hence his poor tactic of claiming to not even having heard about them. Which world is this man living in?
Maridadai’s utterances are cause for concern regarding his form of understanding because his only reason for denying the existence of economic sanctions is that he “heard about (them) in The Herald”.
Even if we accept that it is only The Herald that has ever talked about the existence of economic sanctions, that is not reason enough to deny their existence.
The fact is that Maridadi is being economic with the truth.
It is not The Herald alone that has talked about economic sanctions.
If, for sure, he has read about economic sanctions only from The Herald, then it shows how narrow he reads and how badly informed he is, for one posing as a spokesperson.
One suspects that Maridadi said this only to try and maintain his party’s position of denying the existence of economic sanctions and also to please their base of sanctions deniers. Another reason is to try and portray The Herald as a newspaper that lies.
It is not lies or an imagination that economic sanctions are there.
It is an absolute truth, which even finance minister Tendai Biti, secretary general of Maridadi’s party, acknowledged in his proposal for HIPC status.
On the contrary, denying the existence of economic sanctions demonstrates the lack of commitment on the party of a cabal of MDC-T to treat them as an outstanding issue and also indicates that the deniers do not see their grave consequences on the people.
How else can someone deal with something they don’t perceive as an existing problem and also why should they deal with something whose grave consequences they do not realise?
Second, Maridadi — given his self-confessed narrow readership, has apparently never come across the US sanctions law, the so-called Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act of 2001 which some in his party helped draft, specifically, Section 4, which imposes economic sanctions on Zimbabwe.
It states that US directors to all international financial institutions are bound to vote against the extension of any financial assistance, loan or credit guarantee to the Government of Zimbabwe till the president of the United States says so.
Section 6 imposes economic sanctions on individuals. But still, even if we accept that it is only individuals that have been banned from travelling; those restrictions still constitute economic sanctions as Losman noted.
Editors Note: Sanctions are imposed on Individuals and the companies they own. The Zanu-PF Leadership Code specifically states that no senior Zanu-PF Leader shall own a Business or Land for gain. (Download the Code HERE)
How do you separate Cde Robert Mugabe, for instance, from the President of Zimbabwe?
The President of the Republic of Zimbabwe should not be denied travel since he represents his country and not his person.
Sure, they can ban Robert Mugabe but they should let the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe go on with his normal duties representing a country that we are informed is not under economic sanctions.
This is where even the individual sanctions mantra does not make sense; maybe it does to those with nothing between the right and the left ear.
My suspicion is that Maridadi did not think that far; having spent the better part of his life dealing with kids on radio, he appears incapable of critical thinking.
Third and very obvious, how could Maridadi’s own party accept, in the form of a signature, in the GPA that there are economic sanctions imposed on the country and yet by the very same breath deny their existence?
It’s either Maridadi is deaf and has not heard this issue being discussed or hates to read and therefore has never acquainted himself with that part of the agreement.
It is indeed an embarrassment for a communicator in a high office.
This writer hopes Maridadi’s character is not a reflection of how ignorant MDC-T or the PM’s Office is or how untruthful to the extent of even denying things that have affected the material lives of people and the country. I sympathise with those people who have to deal with the likes of Maridadi on a daily basis.
This is not an insult or prejudice against Maridadi but an honest assessment deduced from his own speech. For the chief communications officer in the PM’s office to suggest that he has not heard about economic sanctions is tantamount to suggesting that one has not heard about the existence of earth.
Without resorting to such lies, this writer thinks Maridadi should be thinking about strategies of removing his party-supported economic sanctions in order to stand on a high moral ground when they, in turn, call for Zanu-PF to deal with the other outstanding issues.
To deny the existence of economic sanctions will never be a political victory for MDC-T. In fact, it will actually undermine the party’s efforts in making any counter demands from Zanu-PF.
Ironically, these economic sanctions, as reported in this newspaper, are undermining the efforts of not only Zanu-PF, but of MDC-T and the inclusive Government especially the operations of the finance minister.
As long as the inclusive Government exists, the inevitable clash of Biti and his colleagues is obvious because he cannot operate successfully in an environment of economic sanctions. But who knows, this whole economic sanctions denial may have something to do with the MDC-T’s own internal power politics.
This writer also knows that having spent a decade denying the existence of sanctions and lying to their supporters that the economic downturn was due to Zanu-PF’s ineptitude, MDC-T leaders are finding it difficult to confess the lie. But that is a bed they made, they must lie on it.
l The writer, Themba Sibindi can be contacted at sibindithemba@yahoo.co.uk
The problem with ZANU(PF) cheer leadres is that they think Zimbabwe = ZANU(PF). They cant see the difference between the two. They should get real. No sanctions against Zimbabwe. Zimbabweans can travel and trade freely with any country. ZANU(PF) can’t. Thats the big difference.
Themba Sibindi, get your head examined. Who do you think you can fool? Zimbabweans are too clever to be out smarted by your sanctions nonsense. Maridadi is 110% right, ‘What sanctions against who, Zimbabwe? Please tell us you are just joking, right? I like Maridadi, don’t know anything about them too, maybe you can educate the rest of Zimbabwe as to when they were imposed and by whom? To repeat what Shephered said, Zimbabwe is NOT, was NEVER and will NEVER, EVER be zanu pf, got it? You and your zanu can do us a great favour…, STOP practising 1980 politics.. hey we are in 2009 got that too?
ZIDERA refers to Zimbabwe not Zanu pf. I suggest that you get yourself a copy and read it before coming to parrot issues on the forum.
Be that as it may, I dont think its the sanctions that have caused problems in Zim but misplaced priorities. We thought with the coming of MDC intogvt it would change but it seems they are also with rong priorities like their opponents. more of the same.
If you would like a copy of The Zimbabwe Democratic Recovery Act (ZIDERA), you can download it HERE.
There are Two (2) discrete initiatives aimed at improving Zimbabwe’s democratic deficit. The first is Zidera and the second is the individual targeted sanctions imposed on those persons responsible for the economic mess and violence.
Zidera was imposed AFTER the Worlds financial Institutions (IMF, World Bank, European Bank etc) had stopped all loans to Zimbabwe because of non-payment of debt. (Read the articles on the cost of the DRC interference.)(Ed)
As long at there are human rights abuses in Zimbabwe, unfair justice system, looting at RBZ, cooked up cases against MDC members sanctions will be with zanu pf members for a long time. As long at gono is still at RBZ loans from IMF, World Bank and European Bank will never be given to Zimbabwe, because zanu pf loots that money and use if for purposes which it wasn’t made for. Sanctions are there humble people like robert mugabe, who still thinks he can fool the world.
Full U.S. Treasury OFAC List here. You will have to search for Zimbabwe in the list for it to make sense. (Editor)
Abel, The Americans challenged ZANU(PF) to tell the world at what time ZIDERA prohibited trade between Zimbabwe and another country including America. Zimbabwe as a country can freely trade with USA as we speak. At present IMF advanced loans and also provided funding for its technical staff to be involved in rebuilding the financial system destroyed by Gideon Gono. The World Bank since the GNU has advances so much in grants to Zimbabwe. What they cannont do as banks is to isssue more loans to a debtor who failed to pay previous loans. Maybe Abel you have never taken a loan. If you had you would have noted how concerned that bank that gave you the loan with default. A debtor who defaults cannot continue to get loans. add on top of that a defaulting debtor who is busy looking for money to buy guns to kill people. So the IMF and World Bank’s decisions to stop issuing loans to the then ZANU(PF) government and to the current GNU is very understandable. The major problem were companies OWNED by ZANU(PF) people some clandestinely. They were prohibited from doing business with the West. Such companies like ZDI should be banned from buying more military equipment to kill people. Thats why the soldiers have the guts to beat someone unconcious all because he was wearing a T-shirt. Its because they are armed by ZDI and ZNA. These targeted sanctions are very good. They should never go.
A List of individuals sanctioned by the U.S Treasury is available HERE To get those Zimbabweans affected you will have to use Control F and insert “Zimbabwe” into the search pane. (Editor)
But guys why cry now, inga mdhara akatuka vana America ne Britain, zvinyika zvinotonhora, keep your countries and i will keep my Zimbabwe, common wealth is just a club, so whats the problem, Zimbabwe can still trade/deal with China, Russia, SA, Libya, Moza, Malaysia, DRC, i can go on, so whats the issue with Sanctions?
Hahungaudzi mukoma anokuchengeta kuti uriduzvi, anokudzinga pamba woitarombe, wochema hutsinye.
Damn these ZANOIDS are filthy rich. They have companies registered in Cayman Islands in the Caribbean. Oh my! Thats why Abel is crying on their behalf. So much wealth sanctioned. They are richer than the country Zimbabwe honestly.
Good observations Sherphered. And Abel read the writings well and repent. We are tired of you zanu pf people, please give us breathing space. Why don’t you just go away, somewhere, malaysia, china, drc, somewhere, anywhere where you have people who think like you. Read this: Zimbabwe tinoda peace and prosperity and it’s proving difficult to get these as long as people like you are there and bulldozing yourself into power.
zanu pf will soon perish. mirai zvenyu muone, one year will go by and everything will be ok. Problem will be sorting out the mess they put in government. Weeding the corrupt tendencies of civil servants. Pachaita basa apa.
You are encouraging sanctions Shephadhi because urikuguta neMacdonalds wherever you are yet your mother wallowing in poverty curtesy of the fight between Zanu pf and the West with Zanu saying those sanctions are not targetted and the West saying they are together with their well fed parrots like yourself. Kana manyatsokwata you are going to talk with one voice about these restrictive measures.
But I find it very funny that grown men calling themselves leaders of the most popular party were hoodwinked into signing a document called the Global Political agreement which acknowledges sanctions and today turn around and teach their parrots such as Sheppy to repeat ” there are no sanctions”
I find it quite odd indeed. Lets say I agree with you that there are no sanctions, why then did these adults sign such documents. Mr Editor also put a link to the GPA so that some parrots here can digest the documents and see for themselves what their leaders signed.
With Pleasure Full GNU Text HERE (Editor)
Jindaguru,you talk of repentence,I am opposed to a lot of what zanu does and actually may know their evil more than you who just reads it in the papers. However to repent to the extend of following directionless remote controlled puppets is beyond me.
Zanu Pf must stop behaving and thinking like children.They know exactly what to do to have those sanctions removed. It is not mdc which is applying those sanctions so they must not behave as if mdc has got the power to remove them.
Infact they probably don’t want those sanctions removed so they can continue to frustrate the unity govt on the pretext that mdc is not doing its part of implementing outstanding issues of the GPA.
I would first urge Zanoids to remove sanctions they have placed on ordinary Zimbos b4 going to the world.Zanoids u have imposed POSA,AIPPA and many more sanctions.A country which restricts association and even a funeral gathering has to be authorized by their ZANOID RECRUITED POLICE(ZRP).What a shame?Tanga wabvisa nhamo irimumba mako b4 u go kunextdoor.
Sori Maningi, you are 100% correct. Zanu pf is very much aware that MDC has no controll over Radio stations and sanctions but will use it to make MDC chase their own shadows till kingdom come. On the other hand zanu pf’s issues are very easy to implement, Tomana and Gono can be told not to pitch up for work tomorrow, the other six governors can be told to wind up their operations and bennett can be told and sworn in to become a useless minister like Mutsekwa by tea time Friday.Then Bob folds his arms and says, MDC your turn now. What will the hapless MDC do then? Walk to US congress and ask the milk skinned ones to repeal Zidera? Go to the country hosting Violet Gonda and tell those people they are out of jobs? Musatambe maface. Mumwe achat**** mubako rwendo rwuno.Mugabe played people by making the Gono and Tomana issue a storm in a teapot.
I dont see anything wrong with ZIDERA. Abel did you read ZIDERA correctly. It actually proposes to help Zimbabweans and punish ZANOIDS. Thats very good indeed. Pamberi ne ZIDERA. I used to think its a bad piece but thanks to this site I have read it through and through and I agree with ZIDERA 100%. Tell me Abel where ZIDERA sanctions Zimbabweans and mind you the Junta is not Zimbabwe.
The mistake most in MDC make is to waste time defending issues that have nothing to do with their party. The so called “illegal sanctions” were imposed by the West on a criminal junta called ZANU. Why should MDC defend or deny these sanctions. They are only helpning the Junta to lie that MDC members took seats in the Americaln Congress to draft ZIDERA.
Sheppy show me where in Zidera it says Zanu pf. Zidera talks of Zimbabwe. Unless you are telling me Zanu pf is Zimbabwe.Just do a control+F on the document and type Zimbabwe and you will see numerous matches. Then do it again and type zanu pf and tell me how many matches you find.At least that way I will know you will have read the document because right now its apparent you have not read it.
Yes Abel,but if Mugabe does like you have described and says mdc its your turn, then the mdc will not have to do anything because the west and the likes of EU will have no option but to lift those sanctions as they will have no valid reason to maintain them.
Sori maningi, you obviously dont know how American law works. When was Mandela removed from the terrorists law?