Harare (New Ziana) – The government on Friday told US Ambassador Brian Nichols to stop being antagonistic towards Zimbabwe and use diplomatic channels to air any grievances he might have.
Nichols has been accused of supporting anti-government activists who are pushing a regime change agenda through unsubstantiated narratives against Zimbabwe, including that the country was in the midst of a human rights crisis.
The ruling Zanu PF party has denounced Nichols’ behaviour and labelled him a thug.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Sibusiso Moyo tweeted on Friday after meeting Nichols: “We resolved to address our differences diplomatically and not to antagonise each other.”
Moyo described his meeting with Nichols as fruitful.
“We agreed to forge close cooperation between our two countries we have a lot in common that should bring us together than dividing us.”
Using its tweeter handle, the Ministry said the discussions between the two were open and positive.
“They discussed bilateral cooperation in all sectors of the economy and agreed to improve their relations. It was a frank discussion focused on uniting the two countries,” the Ministry said.
Relations between Harare and Washington have been frosty since Zimbabwe embarked on the fast track land reform programme at the turn of the millenium.
The programme, which the US and her allies were rabidly opposed to, saw vast tracts of prime agricultural land being compulsorily acquired from the minority white farmers to settle landless blacks.
The West responded to this empowerment drive by imposing harsh sanctions against Zimbabwe, which have caused billions of dollars in economic damage over 20 years.
Overtures by the Zimbabwe government through a re-engagement drive have done little to thaw relations, as the US still harbours ambitions to effect illegal regime change in the country.
New Ziana
