U.S. says to maintain sanctions on Zimbabwe

The United States will maintain sanctions on Zimbabwe until the southern African nation improves its human rights record and holds credible elections, two senior officials said Friday.

Speaking during the Southern African Political Economy Series on the topic "US-Zimbabwe Relations" the officials said sanctions were targeted on a few individuals and beside the measures, the two countries enjoyed strong economic and bilateral relations.

Steven Feldstein, deputy assistant secretary in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour said US policy shift on Zimbabwe will be "premised on the basis of meaningful democratic change, meaningful implementation of the rule of law and improving the human rights environment".

He said these were the core principles upon which the sanctions were placed in 2001.

He said the U.S. would revisit its policy on Zimbabwe once these issues have been resolved.

The U.S. imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe in 2001 for gross human rights violations but Harare denies the charges.

Deputy Assistant secretary for African Affairs Shannon Smith said they held positive discussions with Zimbabwean government officials, civil society and business people during their week- long visit to the country which ended Friday. Endi