ZANU-PF will, and should, continue to play an important role in Zimbabwe’s future but at the same time MDC-T, MDC-N, and other political parties also have critically important roles to play, United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Charles Ray said last week.
Speaking on US-Zimbabwe relations, Ray said that the bilateral relationship between the two countries was like a dysfunctional friendship or a faltering joint venture while the people-to-people relationships between the two countries had continued to thrive.
He dismissed talk about Zimbabwe’s ‘re-engagement’ with so-called ‘western’ countries arguing that the two countries had never stopped engaging. Washington had maintained full diplomatic relations and Zimbabwe had always had a full ambassador in Washington.
“I represent an unbroken continuum of ambassadors here dating back to independence. But, given the clear degradation of the quality of our government-to-government relationship, instead of focusing on ‘re-engagement’, I think what is most important now is ‘recultivating our partnership’”, the ambassador said.
“That, I believe, should be the first step in ‘The Future of U.S.-Zimbabwe Relations’. As a first step in that effort, it may be worth debunking some misperceptions and clarifying with complete candour some key perspectives from the U.S. side”:
Ray said he believed that the future of U.S.-Zimbabwe relations was bright. While the path would not always be smooth, there was no reason why it could not be on a positive trajectory.
“I see our relationship being punctuated not by restrictions or impediments, but by opportunities. The task is for each of us to seize them,” he said. “Whether you prefer thinking about ‘re-engagement’ or ‘recultivating our partnerships’, the first step is dialogue. As the personal representative of President Obama in Zimbabwe, I take very seriously his position of extending an open hand despite past disagreements. The benefits of a better relationship are well worth the at-times-uncomfortable conversations that may ensue. Still, the people of both of our countries deserve better. And so, my message is the same to our closest of friends and to those with whom we have had the most conflicted of relationships”
“If you are coming from a position of sincerity and respect, my hand is open, my door is open, and my mind is open. Let’s have those tough conversations. When we must, let’s disagree, but do so without being disagreeable. When we can, let’s collaborate to advance our common interests. But let us re-open those lines of communication that have closed and rebuild the bridges of mutual confidence that we have allowed to fall into disrepair for the people of both of our great nations.”
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