The following statement was agreed upon by the countries attending a meeting held at the United States Department of State on March 20, 2009.
Representatives from Australia, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States, the European Commission, the European Union Council Secretariat, the World Bank, African Development Bank, International Monetary Fund, and United Nations met on Friday, March 20 in Washington, D.C., to discuss how best to support the people of Zimbabwe as they work to bring peace, stability, prosperity and democracy back to their country.
We agreed to maintain and, to the extent possible, increase our current levels of humanitarian assistance based on identified needs. In 2008, we provided over $670 million in total assistance to the people of Zimbabwe. To date this year, we have provided an additional $300 million in assistance. Our assistance is targeted at the most urgent needs of the people and includes assistance for food, health services, water sanitation, HIV/AIDS and cholera.
We agreed to work with the transition government to achieve specific goals identified in the Global Political Agreement (GPA), notably the restoration of the rule of law, economic stabilization and growth, freedom of assembly and commitment to the democratic process, respect for human rights and personal security, and full access to humanitarian assistance.
We commend the reform efforts undertaken by the transition government and the progress achieved to date towards these goals. We urge the government to take additional steps to demonstrate its commitment to reform such as the immediate release of all political prisoners, the end of farm seizures, the cessation of politically-motivated violence, the establishment of a credible and transparent Central Bank team, an end to harassment and intimidation of the media, and a commitment to credible elections in a timely manner. Provided positive developments in regards to these political and economic reforms, the donor community is ready to support Zimbabwe’s rebuilding with development assistance.
We will work closely with the guarantors of the agreement – the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union (AU) – to monitor and encourage swift and effective implementation of the GPA. Subject to performance from the transition government, we will work with the international financial institutions to develop an appropriate framework for reengagement.
BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
March 27, 2009
