Saturday, 14 December 2002 / Zim herald
Hard decisions vital: President
From Innocent Gore in CHINHOYI
HARD decisions will have to be made to cushion people from hardships as well as
turn around the economy, President and First Secretary of Zanu-PF Cde Mugabe
said here yesterday.
In a keynote address to the party�s Sixth Annual National People�s Conference,
President Mugabe said land reform would be the engine and catalyst for a broader
and far reaching rejuvenation of the economy.
Consultations had already taken place on how this would be done.
"After the elections, I announced the 10-point economic recovery programme and
have followed that announcement with a series of meetings with business leaders.
"Our economy can and should turnaround, with hard choices being made here and
there. But most importantly, industry and labour should finally realise that
only a united approach, involving Government, will win the day.
"Thankfully, certain sectors have begun to be supportive and are ready for the
challenges ahead.
"We wish that more would join us as we seek common solutions to the hardships
imposed on us by our detractors," Cde Mugabe said.
The 10-point plan entails economic recovery led by agrarian reforms, an
industrialisation programme that cites projects and processes within given
levels of agricultural outputs, emphasis on indigenous capital which augments
local ownership of the economy and partners with friendly capital from
non-traditional markets.
The President also envisaged an enlarged role for direct or indirect State
participation in the economy to cause investment in well-defined strategic
areas.
There should be a focus on small and medium-scale enterprises with greater
support from the State and special focus on programmes that generate employment
for the youth, including resuscitating enterprises that closed.
Cde Mugabe said there was need to support indigenisation not only in
agriculture, but also in mining, manufacturing, industry, tourism and the
financial sector.
"Our thrust at economically empowering our people should be all encompassing in
order to develop successful entrepreneurs in practically every sphere of
economic activity.
"It is for this reason that one of the four additional posts in the Politburo is
that of indigenisation and economic empowerment."
The President said the ever-shrinking purchasing power of people was a cause for
concern and needs urgent address.
"We will need to consider the present challenges of food shortages and how to
continue alleviating the difficulties faced by our people because of this
situation."
It was necessary to review land reform and establish where the process still
needed strengthening.
There had been disapproval and dissatisfaction with certain elements of the
programme, especially the A2 model, and the Government was going to address
this.
Cde Mugabe urged beneficiaries not to fight among themselves, saying problems
should be channelled to provincial or national leaders.
He will soon visit all the provinces to inspect how people had been settled.
The problems the country was facing were in part caused by the drought, but
craftly worsened by opponents of land reform, he said.
"But together, we can rise above the present hardships and put our country back
on course," Cde Mugabe said.
He reiterated that there was no compromise over the land issue and the fight for
national sovereignty, despite machinations by the British who, had tried to
impose their puppet, MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai.
Imperialism was a two-headed monster and both heads needed to be destroyed.
"So you saw the British monster resurrect through the Labour government of Tony
Blair, rearing its head not in a covert but overt manner waiting to bite the
leadership and destroy the party and its resolution.
"But you stood firm, you voted for me, for the party and the survival of the
revolution and we are still crushing the Blair monster, we want it dead and
buried."
Cde Mugabe said the monster also had the ability of breathing its spirit into
some party members and to survive through proxies and agents.
"Kunana Legion Pakati pedu (Legions of British imperialism and until Legion is
sent running into the sea and drown, then only shall we say imperialism is dead
and gone)."
He said the British kith and kin among the commercial farmers had risen against
the Government in a bid to thwart land reforms.
"I want to say this is the most unforgivable sin they committed and we shall
never forget that. So we treat them as enemies of our party, our Government and
the people. That�s what they are."
On international relations, the President said he was aware that many countries,
particularly Australia, New Zealand, some EU member states and the US had been
influenced by Britain to turn against Zimbabwe.
Differences between Zimbabwe and Britain were bilateral. But if these countries
were interfering on the side of the UK, then Zimbabwe would treat them as
enemies.
"It does not matter how strong they may be, Zimbabwe is our land. This is the
only heritage we have and here we shall live and here we shall die.
"The more they work against us, the more they should expect hostility from us
and the more negative we shall become to their kith and kin here," he said to
applause from the delegates.
Zimbabwe should be left to pursue its own course of development.
The President scoffed at allegations that there are no human rights in Zimbabwe,
saying this was coming from oppressors of yesteryear.
Human rights and democracy were brought into the country by Zanu PF-Zapu in
1980, after a protracted struggle.
A lot of money was put into the coffers of the MDC while its youths were trained
in criminal and murderous activities, he said.
The country experienced media spotlight never seen before and detractors had
even anointed a winner well before the election.
"And so while the detractors remain sullen and smitten, at least now they are
fully aware of what we call the people�s power."
The President said after the elections, and as Zanu-PF sought to engage the MDC
in dialogue, the opposition kept doing the bidding of their masters.
The MDC ruined the inter-party talks by deviating from the agreed agenda and ran
to the courts because it did not have the interests of the nation at heart.
He said there were even suggestions that Mr Tsvangirai be included in the
Government and that the election should be re-run.
"Me putting Tsvangirai in my Government. Babawe! (Oh God) We will continue to
rule this country the best way possible," he said.
Cde Mugabe was concerned at the HIV/Aids situation in the country saying it was
affecting production at most companies as workers took days off to attend
funerals.
There was need for behavioural change to curb the pandemic.
Plans were underway to purchase cheaper anti-retroviral drugs from Brazil and
India.
Cde Mugabe congratulated the party for winning the Hurungwe West and Insiza
parliamentary by-elections and the contested wards in the rural district council
elections.
After his address, the President tabled the report of central committee to the
conference.
Vice President and Second Secretary of the party, Cde Muzenda, deplored price
increases meant to punish the Government for its stance on land.
The Government was addressing the difficulties people were facing through price
controls ad procurement and distribution of more food.
Cde Muzenda said there was need for civil servants who are dedicated to working
for the Government.
"We seem to have some officers with double loyalty judging by the poor
implementation of programmes. This matter requires urgent attention."
Party chairman Cde John Nkomo, congratulated Cde Mugabe on his victory in March,
saying this demonstrated to the outside world that Zimbabwe had come of age.
The conference roared into life in the morning with song and dance by delegates
and a prayer was said by Reverend Msindo.
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"Ivinicus factus sum veritabem diceus." ( I have become an enemy for speaking the truth ) St Paul!
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Mitayo Potosi
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