E&OE
16 September 2008
Interview - ABC NewsRadio
Subjects: Zimbabwe
JOHN BARRON: Now it was a sight that possibly few Zimbabweans would have dared predict even just a few months ago.
Robert Mugabe, the increasingly despotic ruler of Zimbabwe for almost three decades, shaking hands with Opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai.
The historic handshake marked the signing of a power sharing agreement this morning that will see Mugabe stay president, but seed some power to Morgan Tsvangirai who becomes the new Prime Minister.
It's the result of three months of very difficult negotiations, mediated by president Mbeki of South Africa, following the Opposition victory and parliamentary elections and two presidential polls that were marred by violence and ultimately boycotted in the second round by the MDC Opposition.
Foreign Minister, Stephen Smith has described today's development as quote, modest progress.
STEPHEN SMITH: We would have preferred that Mr Mugabe left the stage and walked away. Mr Tsvangirai and his party were the clear victors in the first parliamentary round. That was despite all the obvious efforts of rorting and intimidation. But we will deal with the cards that have unfolded. We think it's modest progress. We think that the proof will be in the actual implementation of the arrangement, so we're very cautious about it.
But it goes some way towards respecting the democratic will of the Zimbabwe people and we certainly congratulate Mr Tsvangirai who has become Prime Minister of his country in the face of terrible odds and very difficult circumstances.
STEVE CHASE: Is it too early to be talking about sanctions. I notice that the European Union and the US seem to be taking a wait-and-see approach.
SMITH: Well I think there are two things that we need to monitor very carefully, and it'll all depend upon how the power sharing arrangement is implemented on the ground. Does it really make progress towards political freedom? Does it really end the violence? Does it bring back the rule of law? Does it start the economic and social reconstruction of Zimbabwe? But, there are two areas I think that we will look at very closely.
Firstly, sanctions. Australia's been at the forefront of sanctions: both financial and travelled sanctions aimed at senior members of the Mugabe regime. They'll remain in place for the present. We will continue to monitor them. And depending upon how things go on the ground, we will look at whether we want to change in any way.
I think the second important area is aid and development assistance. Our sanctions have always been aimed at members of the regime, not of the Zimbabwe people themselves, so we have continued to provide development assistance, primarily in the food area. One of the things that we will look at closely now is the extent at which we can look at increasing our development assistance and humanitarian assistance in Zimbabwe. And I think that's what other like-minded countries are doing, United Kingdom, European Union block, United States and I think that's appropriate.
CHASE: Do you feel more secure now, I suppose, that there is a power sharing arrangement that you can be secure in the knowledge that the aid that you do give goes into the right hands?
SMITH: Well again, we've known in the past that despite best efforts of non-government organisations and international organisations in Zimbabwe, that Mr Mugabe in the past has used development assistance, particularly humanitarian and food assistance, as effectively a political weapon against his people.
So again, this will be one of the things that we will need to judge on the ground. Despite reservations and scepticism and it certainly not being our preferred outcome. If there are positive developments on the ground, then we will respond accordingly. But, despite from time to time, difficulties of getting the food and the food aid through, we've always proceeded on the basis that we should make some effort to ameriolate the terrible conditions that the Zimbabwe people found themselves in, and that's the approach we will continue to adopt.
CHASE: Getting back to the power sharing arrangements. What is the status of the Government in your eyes now? Is it a legitimate one or not?
SMITH: Well in terms of recognition, Australia recognises nations not governments, and we've always kept up our diplomatic recognition and relationship with Zimbabwe. We have a mission in Zimbabwe with a High Commissioner who has been very active and very effective. So we will obviously continue our diplomatic recognition and representation in Zimbabwe. We will deal with the Mugabe/Tsvangirai Government as appropriate.
As I say, a lot very much depends upon how it unfolds on the ground. The uncertainty remains about how some of the executive powers will be shared. And so I think very much it'll be a wait and see process and that's been reflected by the reception that the deal or the agreement has seen. Our response is not unlike that of the United Kingdom or the European Union.
CHASE: The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Stephen Smith speaking there to ABC NewsRadio's Steve Chase
[Ends]
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