Zimbabwean Officials Shrug Off Boosted U.S. Sanctions As 'Nothing New'
Zimbabwe's ambassador to the United Nations accused the United States of trying to scuttle South African-led crisis resolution talks by
A Zimbabwean government spokesman on Tuesday dismissed the announcement by Jendayi Frazer, the top U.S. State Department official for Africa, that Washington was boosting travel and financial sanctions against Harare's ruling elite on grounds that human rights violations and political repression have increased in the country. The Web-based news agency ZimOnline quoted Deputy Information Minister Bright Matonga as saying the sanctions were old news and would not have an impact. “There is nothing new in what they are saying. We have heard this before and it failed to work. They are actually wasting their time because we are now doing business with friendly countries,” Matonga said, referring to the economic ties with China, Malaysia and other Asian nations Harare has developed to offset isolation from the West. She said that in light of Mr. Mugabe's "escalated use of violence, United States will be imposing additional sanctions against the worst perpetrators of the regime's brutality." She said financial sanctions will be imposed on "several additional Zimbabweans not yet sanctioned who played a central role in" such human rights abuses. She said the U.S. Monday imposed travel sanctions on 38 more individuals "including nine state security officials involved in human rights abuses and anti-democratic activities." Frazer said those affected include "at least five adult children" of Zimbabwean officials implicated in such activities who are studying in the United States. Chidyausiku said the U.S. decision to expand sanctions jeopardized the crisis talks led by South African President Thabo Mbeki - charging that this was in fact the intent.