Categories: Stories

Zimbabwe key to UK

Despite what appears to be sour relations between the two governments, Zimbabwe is so important to the United Kingdom that it is one of the 71 countries in the world where Britain has a defence attaché.

Britain has defence attaches in only three Southern African countries, resource-rich Democratic Republic of Congo, regional powerhouse South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (International Security Strategy) for Defence, Gerald Howarth told the House of Commons yesterday that the British government spent 31.8 million pounds on the defence attaches in the 71 countries in 2010.

Howarth said the defence attaches work closely with their host governments to pursue close bilateral defence relationships, build partnerships between armed forces and provide bespoke military support to Britain’s policy priorities to protect and promote the UK’s influence and interests.

“Defence attachés’ unique relationships and access deliver disproportionate soft power projection and influence. They work to promote British values and regional policies, advance regional development and prevent conflict.

“They deliver significant effect to counter terrorism, support conflict resolution in fragile states and where appropriate, provide specialist knowledge and influence to assist to build UK prosperity,” he said.

The UK had defence attachés and advisers in 71 countries: Afghanistan, Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria Hub (covering Croatia, Hungary, Macedonia, Kosovo, Slovenia, Slovakia and Switzerland,), Bahrain, Baltic States (Estonia), Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland (non resident, accredited from London), Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal (non resident, accredited from London), Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Somalia (based in Kenya), Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United States of America (with a further attaché to the UK Mission to UN New York), Uzbekistan, Yemen and Zimbabwe.

(49 VIEWS)

Charles Rukuni

The Insider is a political and business bulletin about Zimbabwe, edited by Charles Rukuni. Founded in 1990, it was a printed 12-page subscription only newsletter until 2003 when Zimbabwe's hyper-inflation made it impossible to continue printing.

Recent Posts

Will Mnangagwa go against the trend in the region?

Plans by the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front to push President Emmerson Mnangagwa to…

October 22, 2024

The Zimbabwe government and not saboteurs sabotaging ZiG

The Zimbabwe government’s insatiable demand for money to satisfy its own needs, which has exceeded…

October 20, 2024

The Zimbabwe Gold will regain its value if the government does this…

Economist Eddie Cross says the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) will regain its value if the government…

October 16, 2024

Is Harare the least democratic province in Zimbabwe?

Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare, which is a metropolitan province, is the least democratic province in the…

October 11, 2024

Zimbabweans against extension of presidential term in office

Nearly 80% of Zimbabweans are against the extension of the president’s term in office, according…

October 11, 2024

Zimbabwe government biggest loser when there is a discrepancy in the exchange rate

The government is the biggest loser when there is a discrepancy between the official exchange…

October 10, 2024