[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 39 (Tuesday, March 11, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S3499]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                ZIMBABWE

  Mr. FEINGOLD. I rise to draw the Senate's attention to events in 
Zimbabwe, where a continuing political and economic crisis is 
devastating the country and threatening the future of the southern 
African region. A combination of corruption at the highest levels of 
government, political desperation leading to ill-conceived economic and 
agricultural policies implemented in chaotic fashion, and severe 
political repression have brought the country to its knees. Already 
devastated by the HIV/AIDS pandemic, Zimbabwe is now gripped by a food 
crisis--one in large part caused by the government's policies. Nearly 
40 percent of Zimbabweans are malnourished. This in a country that used 
to be a net exporter of food to the region.
  Members of Zimbabwe's ruling party and their cronies have led their 
own country to ruin--even starvation--in order to manipulate the 
population and retain power. We are talking about a government that 
tortures independent journalists, beats respected civil society leaders 
who have testified before Congress, murders opposition supporters, and 
recently even arrested and detained a U.S. diplomat.
  Last week, President Bush signed an executive order freezing the 
assets of 77 Zimbabwean individuals responsible for this repression and 
abuse, and prohibiting Americans from having business dealings with 
them. This is a step many of us in Congress had been anticipating for 
some time. Just last month I asked Secretary of State Powell about the 
status of the asset freeze, and more recently I spoke with the 
President's National Security Advisor, Dr. Condoleezza Rice, about this 
matter. I am glad the delay is over, and I commend the President for 
taking this step.
  I was recently in Botswana and South Africa, and it is clear the 
consequences of the crisis are spilling over into other parts of the 
southern African region. Zimbabweans desperate to escape are spilling 
across borders. Foreign investors are nervous about engagement in the 
region. And the muted reaction of other African leaders is calling into 
question their commitment to the basic principles so critical to the 
development of the region.
  I also commend the President and the administration for making it 
clear that the U.S. condemnation of the Zimbabwean government has 
nothing to do with race, and everything to do with basic principles 
like the rule of law, democratic governance, and freedom of expression. 
As the ranking member of the Subcommittee on African Affairs, I look 
forward to continuing to work with the administration, with colleagues 
on both sides of the aisle, with African leaders, and with the many 
brave and capable Zimbabweans who are working to stop Zimbabwe's 
decline into disorder and to realize the potential of the Zimbabwean 
people.

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