DATE=9/13/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=ZIMBABWE / IMF (L-O)
NUMBER=2-266452
BYLINE=MARTIN RUSHMERE
DATELINE=HARARE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A team from the International Monetary Fund
says the organization will not resume lending to
Zimbabwe until the farm crisis is resolved and the
country's financial affairs are in order. Martin
Rushmere reports from Harare.
TEXT: After 10-days in Zimbabwe, the I-M-F team
issued a statement late Tuesday saying it was worried
about - the rapid deterioration in the economic and
social situation - in Zimbabwe.
Analysts say the fund is alarmed that new spending
proposals by the government will further increase the
country's budget deficit. Zimbabwe has the highest
budget deficit of all the members of the International
Monetary Fund.
The I-M-F team also expressed concern about the
potentially devastating economic effects of the farm
seizures. The Commercial Farmers Union has warned
that food production will drop by more than half, and
that there will also be a massive drop in the output
of tobacco, the country's main source of export
revenue.
But political analysts in Zimbabwe say that, no matter
how strong the I-M-F criticism, it is unlikely that
the government of Robert Mugabe will change its plans
to acquire the farms.
Meanwhile, the ruling ZANU (P-F) party has denied
responsibility for a hand grenade attack on the
opposition Movement for Democratic Change party
offices in Harare.
The head of information for the ruling party, Nathan
Shamuyarira, described the accusations of ZANU (P-F)
responsibility as - a blatant lie.
No one was injured in the blast and police have made
no arrests. (SIGNED)
NEB/MR/KL/RAE
13-Sep-2000 12:57 PM EDT (13-Sep-2000 1657 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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