Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa expressed doubt Sunday about the gravity of the crisis in Zimbabwe, and said he was confident that free and fair elections could be held in the country, South African meadia reports said, according to dpa. Speaking after the Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit in Lusaka, Mwanawasa, who is also the head of SADC, was quoted by the Sunday Independent as saying that "sometimes I have the feeling that we are exaggerating Zimbabwe's problems." He added that the summit "was quite satisfied that the law of elections in Zimbabwe is valid and that free and fair elections can take place." Although Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe was not present for the end of the summit, his colleagues chose not to criticize him for the devastating economic and human rights situation in his country. Media reports said delegates at the summit had agreed to draft an economic recovery plan for Zimbabwe, which according to South African President Thabo Mbeki would not be linked to political reforms. Mbeki is deputy chairman of SADC and is set to host the next summit in 2008 where he is expected to be elected chairman before quitting as head of state in 2009. The recovery plan would draw on findings by SADC Executive Secretary Tomaz Salamao, who blamed the crisis in Zimbabwe largely on travel and financial sanctions imposed by the West. Asked about the terms of the plan, Mbeki said: "We are looking for a global solution to the problems facing Zimbabwe. Nobody is looking for conditionalities to funding solutions," the Sunday Times quoted him as saying. He added: "Everybody is saying there is urgency on this matter and that the finance ministers will engage this matter immediately." SADC delegates had earlier approved Mbeki's mediation report on Zimbabwe, and a SADC communique "encouraged the (Zimbabwean) parties to expedite the process of negotiations" between Mugabe's party, Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF), and the fractious Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). It urged them to conclude "work as soon as possible, so that the next elections are held in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility." Elections scheduled for March should be conducted in an atmosphere devoid of intimidation and harassment, it added. Meanwhile, commenting on reported plans by Britain's Ministry of Defence to evacuate 22,000 people of British origin from the country, Zimbabwean Information Minister Bright Monota said authorities would be only too happy to assist them. Zimbabwe is currently plagued by hyperinflation, unemployment, a lack of food and subjected to political repression.
