Foreign aid should not further political objectives
Posted: Friday, December 13, 2002

From Innocent Gore in CHIRUNDU, www.herald.co.zw

FOREIGN aid should be given to strengthen economic co-operation and not to further political objectives, President Mugabe said yesterday.

The President said this at a ceremony to commission the new Chirundu Bridge on the Zambian side of the border.

The ceremony was also attended by Zambian President Mr Levy Mwana-wasa, Cabinet Ministers and senior Government officials from the two countries.

Cde Mugabe lauded the Japanese government for providing the US$25 million grant for the construction of the new bridge, which is expected to ease congestion and smoothen the flow of traffic at Chirundu Border Post.

He said since independence, Zimba-bwe had enjoyed cordial relations with Japan, which availed grant aid packages to various sectors of the Zimbabwean economy, such as transport and communication, health and local government.

Zimbabwe also received assistance in the form of technology transfer and the training of artisans in various technical fields.

"I wish we could say that of many other countries which we are associated with in history.

"They should learn that when aid is given with the purpose of strengthening co-operation, it would be better appreciated than aid, given in order to perpetuate political objectives.

"And when we have such aid given for political objectives, we shall never want nor entertain it," Cde Mugabe said.

The new bridge is going to ease the flow of traffic and is expected to increase the volume of trade between Zimbabwe and Zambia. MORE 

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