Published by the government of Zimbabwe
6 January 2009
Harare — VENEZUELA yesterday donated nearly 70 tonnes of humanitarian aid worth millions of United States dollars to combat cholera and castigated Western nations for trying to destabilise Zimbabwe for their selfish ends.
Speaking at the handover ceremony in Harare, Venezuela Charge d'Affaires Mr Barrios Juan Carlos slammed the United States for politicising the epidemic without offering help.
He said Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez was fully behind the formation of an inclusive Government in Zimbabwe and blasted United States attempts to undermine the process by proclaiming that they had withdrawn their support for it.
"We urge some countries not to use this health crisis to politically destabilise Zimbabwe's Government. We truly believe in the inclusive Government in Zimbabwe, and we have confidence that Zimbabweans are able to solve their own political differences without the intervention of the hegemonic powers that seek only to promote their own interests," said Mr Carlos, who is based in Namibia.
Venezuela donated 38 tonnes of food, 18,5 tonnes of medicine and 10,8 tonnes of water at a ceremony attended by the Minister of State for Policy Implementation, Cde Webster Shamu, and the Minister of Health and Child Welfare, Dr David Parirenyatwa.
Speaking at the same occasion, Cde Shamu who is acting chairperson of the Cabinet Taskforce on Cholera, said Venezuela joined a growing list of friendly countries that have responded to Sadc's appeal for international support to help Zimbabwe on the health emergency in the country.
"The donation underscores the relationship between the two countries and puts (US president) George Bush to shame," said Cde Shamu.
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