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Mar 12th

Zambian paper supports lifting of sanctions against Zimbabwe

Lusaka, Zambia - The world must heed the words of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) that the sanctions against Zimbabwe be lifted and appropriate aid offered to shore up the work of the newly-installed unity government in the country, the state-run Times of Zambia said Monday.

The paper said whatever country could have had sanctions against Zimbabwe must review them or even completely lift the sanctions, stressing that the international community also has an important role to play in the process and to kick-start the Zimbabwean economy.

In an editorial, the Times of Zambia urged the leadership in Zimbabwe to exercise maximum restraint in dealing with any political problems or otherwise to avoid dashing people's hopes that a new era is beginning.

"Obviously, not all political players may have gotten what they wanted and it is tempting for some to feel a sense of loss, but the mere fact that the unity government has been installed should give hope," it said.

The onus now lies on the leaders to get down to work and deal with the real issues that affect the day-to-day lives of their people, the paper said.

"It means getting back to repairing the economy, the deteriorated health, roads and education infrastructure and to generally build confidence among the people and potential investors.

"It is important that confidence-building measures are quickly put in place so that donors and Zimbabweans living abroad are attracted to get back and help in the rebuilding process," it said.

Noting that Zimbabwe was known as the bread basket of the region not long ago, the paper said that the country had now been reduced to a nation dependent on foreign aid, and that most of its people are in a desperate position.
 
Lusaka - 16/02/2009

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