Online Reporter
Africa Moyo-Deputy News Editor
THE death of former United States President Jimmy Carter is not only a loss for the US, but Zimbabwe also, as he contributed immensely to the independence of Zimbabwe, a Cabinet Minister has said.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Professor Amon Murwira said this yesterday when he visited the US Embassy in Harare to sign the book of condolences and pass on President Mnangagwa’s message.
Former President Carter died at the age of 100 on Sunday and will be buried on Thursday next week.
After signing the book, Prof Murwira hailed President Carter as one of the greatest statesmen in the world.
“His Excellency President Dr E.D. Mnangagwa passed this message to say, President Carter has passed on, and as a country, we would be the first to pass our condolence message on this great loss because we believe it’s not only the loss of the United States, it’s the loss for Zimbabwe also, and it’s a loss for the global community,” he said.
“When it comes to Zimbabwe, President Jimmy Carter contributed a lot to the independence of Zimbabwe. At the attainment of Independence, the United States was one of the first countries to establish an embassy or diplomatic relations with Zimbabwe.
“You can see where we are right now, is the United States Embassy. It’s one of the most majestic buildings in Zimbabwe, especially in terms of embassies. It shows the presence of the United States in Zimbabwe.”
Prof Murwira attributed the construction of the imposing US Embassy in Harare to the contributions of former President Carter.
“And we really take this as a great loss, not only to the people of the United States, but to the people of Zimbabwe. But at the same time, he lived a very long life, for which I think God had a purpose so that he contributes, and we enjoy his contribution to world peace.
“We have written in the book of condolences to pass our condolences from the deepest of Zimbabwe’s hearts,” said Prof Murwira.
In her remarks, US Ambassador to Zimbabwe Pamela Clermont said she was “extremely honoured” that Prof Murwira visited the embassy “so soon after the festive period to offer his condolences in person”.
“I know it’s a busy time of the year for everyone. We are obviously very sad to lose the great American, former President Jimmy Carter.
“His legacy in Africa is something. I think that reminds us that deep at our core, we share the same values of democracy and human rights and working together, both of our countries can strive to fulfill the promises of our respective founding fathers. It’s a good reminder that the United States and Zimbabwe share more in common than the differences that we have, and it’s important that we use that as a base to work going forward,” said Ambassador Clermont.
Writing on his X handle, Acting Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Mr George Charamba also said President Carter contributed significantly to Zimbabwe’s independence.
He said President Carter was in office during the Lancaster House talks of 1979, which ended conflict in Zimbabwe, paving the way for the March 1980 general elections.
“For two weeks, the talks seemed on the verge of collapsing over the issue of land primarily, and marginally over the distribution of assembly points across the country. Upon realising the talks were about to collapse, and that resumption of the liberation war would have meant total humiliating defeat for white Rhodesia, Carter then intervened to break the impasse by committing the United States to contributing towards land reforms.
“He set two provisos: one, that the Patriotic Front would not disclose that this American commitment was meant to buy land from British landlords in Zimbabwe; American taxpayers would not want to hear that American money would go towards British landowners in Zimbabwe. Two, the PF would have to fly to Brussels to get the then EEC to chip in so a bigger budget would make the transaction feasible.
“Indeed, late President (Robert) Mugabe and late VP (Dr Joshua) Nkomo flew to Brussels that same weekend the offer was made and secured financial commitment from EEC. Before long, Jimmy Carter lost to the right-wing Ronald Reagan who repudiated the commitment which Carter had made towards the resolution of the Zimbabwean land question,” said Mr Charamba.
