US to announce Zimbabwe policy changes

THE United States will announce major policy changes on its relations with Zimbabwe in a few weeks' time, Ambassador Bruce Wharton has said.

Wharton told a local radio station on Monday: "It is my sincere hope that we will announce changes on Zimbabwe policy within the next few weeks and I hope it will be taken in the context that it has to be taken."

He, however, said Zimbabwe had the prerogative to invite observer missions of its choice during the forthcoming harmonised elections.

Asked to clarify on the policy changes, the US Embassy public affairs dean Sharon Hudson said she had no adequate details on that.

Zanu PF representative during the live phone-in radio programme Christopher Mutsvangwa spoke glowingly of the US, describing the country as an "elephant" in the international arena.

"Zimbabwe should look forward to working with America. Anything that makes Zimbabwe-America relations move forward is good for Zimbabwe because we are a small country while America is a big country," Mutsvangwa said. Relations between Zimbabwe and the US have not been smooth after the latter imposed targeted travel and trade restrictions on President Robert Mugabe and top Zanu PF officials.

However, the US has since re-engaged Zimbabwe with a view to normalising diplomatic relations and last week sent a State Department envoy Andrew Young to state their position to Mugabe and other top inclusive government officials.