'New US envoy will continue Mugabe criticism'

CHRISTOPHER DELL

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By Lebo Nkatazo

CHRISTOPHER Dell, the outgoing United States ambassador to Zimbabwe says his successor will continue to criticise President Robert Mugabe's government.

The diplomat who has drawn criticism from Zimbabwe officials and courted the ire of president Robert Mugabe during his stay in Zimbabwe was speaking at a function to mark the 231st anniversary of America’s independence.

“Without Africa, America would not be what it is -- and for that reason, America will never abandon Africa. We will always care and involve ourselves when we see injustice being done here,” Dell said.

“I am certain that you will find my successor and my government continue to be just as committed and dedicated to that cause as I have tried to be in my three years here.”

The US government has previously said Dell’s criticism of the Zimbabwean authorities “very fairly and accurately reflect the policy of the United States.”

At one time, the Zimbabwe government summoned Dell and complained after he said Mugabe was practising what he termed “voodoo” economics. Mugabe once told the abrasive US envoy to "go to hell".

"Mr Dell, go to hell!," Mugabe said in November last year.

After attacks on MDC and civic leaders on March 11, the government summoned western diplomats and berated them for allegedly sympathising with the opposition leaders, but Dell walked out after the government allowed in the press.

On Wednesday, Dell said he was speaking on behalf of suffering Zimbabweans who are denied freedom of speech.

“I was able -- in some small measure -- to give public voice to the hopes, concerns and aspirations that I know we share, but which you are prevented from openly expressing,” he said.

He added that at an occasion to honour the war dead on July 4, 1863, some 144 years ago, US president Abraham Lincoln said they had died after giving “the last full measure” to create a “government of the people, by the people and for the people.”

He added that he was surprised to hear President Mugabe, during a speech to mark the country’s independence this year, making a reference to Lincoln’s words about a democracy to describe his won government.

Dell recently warned President Mugabe's government would be toppled by inflation which he predicts will touch 1,5 million by the end of the year. Zimbabwean officials dismissed his warnings and said the ambassador had a problem with his sums.

“You can imagine, for example, my surprise as I watched this year’s Independence Day ceremonies at Rufaro Stadium and heard Robert Mugabe himself quote Lincoln’s words. Nothing of course could have underscored more clearly the difference between what this president claims to be and what he really is,” Dell added.

“President Mugabe’s sad attempt to wrap himself in the mantle of greatness that is rightly Lincoln’s says more than anything as Lincoln himself would have put it my own ‘poor ability to add or subtract” could ever do about the gap between that claim and the reality in Zimbabwe today.”

In a column in the state-run Herald newspaper last month, Nathaniel Manheru -- thought to be President Mugabe's spokesman George Charamba -- said he had heard that the next US ambassador to Zimbabwe would be black.

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