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Zimbabwe defends right to UN role UN to decide on Zimbabwe key role
(about 6 hours later)
Zimbabwe has dismissed Western objections to its appointment to head a key UN body, the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD). The United Nations is due to decide whether Zimbabwe should lead one of its key bodies, despite objections from Western countries.
African nations have nominated Zimbabwe to head the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD), a move which has met with widespread disapproval.
Some countries say Zimbabwe's high inflation, unemployment and rights record make it an unsuitable candidate.
But Zimbabwe has dismissed such criticism, calling it an insult.
"What has sustainable development to do with human rights?" Zimbabwe's ambassador to the UN told the BBC."What has sustainable development to do with human rights?" Zimbabwe's ambassador to the UN told the BBC.
The position traditionally rotates through the regions of the world, with Africa next in line.The position traditionally rotates through the regions of the world, with Africa next in line.
But some countries say Zimbabwe's high inflation, unemployment and rights record make it an unsuitable candidate.
European countries in particular are calling on African nations to put forward another candidate.European countries in particular are calling on African nations to put forward another candidate.
Land issuesLand issues
Zimbabwe's ambassador to the UN, Boniface Chidyausiku, said his country was entitled to hold the chairmanship.Zimbabwe's ambassador to the UN, Boniface Chidyausiku, said his country was entitled to hold the chairmanship.
When they tell the African group to change, it's an insult to our intelligence Boniface ChidyausikuZimbabwe's UN ambassador  Zimbabwe ambassadorWhen they tell the African group to change, it's an insult to our intelligence Boniface ChidyausikuZimbabwe's UN ambassador  Zimbabwe ambassador
"It's our right. We're members of the United Nations and we're members of CSD, and the Africa group did make a decision and endorsed Zimbabwe," he told the BBC's Network Africa programme."It's our right. We're members of the United Nations and we're members of CSD, and the Africa group did make a decision and endorsed Zimbabwe," he told the BBC's Network Africa programme.
"They're making a storm out of a teacup.""They're making a storm out of a teacup."
He said the real objection came down to Britain's criticism of Zimbabwe's controversial land reform programme.He said the real objection came down to Britain's criticism of Zimbabwe's controversial land reform programme.
Zimbabwe's food production has plummeted since land reforms in 2000 that saw thousands of white-owned farms seized.Zimbabwe's food production has plummeted since land reforms in 2000 that saw thousands of white-owned farms seized.
"We see it as a translation of a bilateral quarrel between London and Harare on the land reform programme," Mr Chidyausiku said."We see it as a translation of a bilateral quarrel between London and Harare on the land reform programme," Mr Chidyausiku said.
He said the European countries should respect the decision of the African block.He said the European countries should respect the decision of the African block.
"When they tell the African group to change, it's an insult to our intelligence - that we Africans can't think," he said."When they tell the African group to change, it's an insult to our intelligence - that we Africans can't think," he said.
Electricity woesElectricity woes
Meanwhile, Mozambique has threatened to cut electricity to its neighbour for failing to pay its debts.Meanwhile, Mozambique has threatened to cut electricity to its neighbour for failing to pay its debts.
Mozambique's Cahora Bassa dam supplies Zimbabwe with 500 megawatts of power.Mozambique's Cahora Bassa dam supplies Zimbabwe with 500 megawatts of power.
The BBC's Jose Tembe in Maputo says Zimbabwe has accumulated debt to the tune of $9m.The BBC's Jose Tembe in Maputo says Zimbabwe has accumulated debt to the tune of $9m.
A spokesman for Mozambique's electricity firm EDM said the government acknowledged Zimbabwe's current economic crisis but said that debt is debt and must be paid.A spokesman for Mozambique's electricity firm EDM said the government acknowledged Zimbabwe's current economic crisis but said that debt is debt and must be paid.
On Wednesday, it was announced that households in Zimbabwe were to be limited to four hours' electricity a day, between 1700 and 2100 local time.On Wednesday, it was announced that households in Zimbabwe were to be limited to four hours' electricity a day, between 1700 and 2100 local time.