Relationship between Zim and USA is like a dysfunctional friendship: US Ambassador

United States Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Charles Ray address a sizable crowd at the Bulawayo Club yesterday evening organized by Bulawayo Agenda.

He said he will be among the first to recognize that the bilateral relationship (Zimbabwe-USA) today is like a dysfunctional friendship or a faltering joint venture.

"Despite a strong initial foundation, both sides have made mistakes along the way", said Ray.

He alleges that US has never stopped engaging, "We have always maintained full diplomatic relations, Zimbabwe has always had a Full Ambassador in Washington and I represent an unbroken continuum of Ambassadors here dating back to independence".

He repeated his statement that the US does not favour any one party over another in Zimbabwe. He said the US want to see an environment where all parties have the same ability to present themselves to the public and to compete to represent the people in government.

"The US wants to see a non-violent and credible electoral contest and for the people's will to be honoured", he said.

He said the US recognize the value of the coalition government arrangement in bringing diverse views together and we respect the government officials who have engaged across party lines to foster Zimbabwe's current recovery.

"We welcome the opportunity to collaborate closely with those committed to building strong national institutions and moving the country forward, and we will continue to work to minimize the negative effects of those intent on circumventing the rule of law", said the ambassador.

He said the US will continue to press for the protection of human rights and accountability for those who abuse them while acknowledging progress where it is made.

"We fully recognize the opportunities presented by Zimbabwe's current economic recovery and the U.S. is actively working to draw the attention of U.S business to trade and investment opportunities here"

Acknowledgement of sanctions

The Ambassador aknowledged that there are sanctions in place.
He said that as Zimbabwe's political parties implement fully the commitments that they themselves have made in the Global Political Agreement, as state institutions are de-linked from partisan allegiances, and as credible elections are held and honoured, there will be no reason for the United States to retain the current sanctions policy in place.

"I can easily envision U.S-Zimbabwe in the not-too-distant future that are comparable to U.S relations with other partners in the community of nations" added Charles.

He said he envision open flows of communications where people can share ideas, express concerns, applaud progress, and disagree without being disagreeable.

He also envision a strong development assistance programme in which the U.S. assistance supports intrinsically the government's development agenda and is devised in close consultation with the Zimbabwean government.

A gradual transition from foreign-assistance-to-a-developing-partner to robust economic-relations-with-a-prosperous-partner.
Vibrant trade and investment linkages with goods, services, experts, and tourists flowing freely between our countries.
No sanctions or restrictive measures in place because the rule of law is protected by strong state institutions and respected across the political spectrum.

"Over our 235 years of experience we have seen that stability and good governance come through a transparent and accountable political system with checks and balances on power and robust outside oversight through civil society and the media" he added.

"We have learned that when the strict differentiation between the political party, the government and the institutions of the state are breached the public's interest begins taking a back seat to vested interests of those in positions of power.

Another issue that I believe would contribute to a stronger future relationship is if both sides fostered a more open and issue-oriented communications environment.

Too often in the past, we have talked "at" each other rather than with each other.

In an environment where all points of view can be freely expressed and candidly discussed we can make real progress.  

He ended by a quote "The most stable and lasting system is the one which creates the least limitations to freedom of expression. In my view, freedom means freedom of thought and security to express those thoughts without fear of prosecution," former Iranian President Mahammad Khatami.