US praises Zimbabwe for progress toward reform

The U.S. on Saturday praised Zimbabwe's unity government for making progress toward reform as the African nation celebrated the 29th anniversary of its independence from Britain.

The congratulatory statement from Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton came one day after the State Department disclosed that it had lifted a travel advisory that warned Americans against visiting Zimbabwe. Still, the Obama administration said the political situation in Zimbabwe remains unpredictable and could deteriorate quickly.

Clinton said the U.S. commends "the efforts the transitional government has undertaken and the progress it has achieved toward reforms that will benefit the Zimbabwean people. The United States encourages the government to continue those important steps as it works for a more promising future for Zimbabwe."

The unity government was formed in February, after months of political deadlock and economic misery, with Robert Mugabe, in power since independence, as president and his nemesis Morgan Tsvangirai as prime minister.

Zimbabwe's government intends to relax media restrictions as part of a plan meant to restore basic rights, heal political scars and boost international trust, the state newspaper recently reported. Zimbabwe is desperate for foreign aid and wants to see an end to penalties imposed by the United States and European countries.

Clinton said the U.S. "has long stood with the people of Zimbabwe in their times of need and will continue to do so."

The State Department's traveling warning had cited government instability, a failing economy and the near collapse of the country's public health system.

Spokesman Robert Wood said Friday the department had canceled the advisory on April 8.

"The political-economic situation is still unpredictable but we lifted the restrictions because there was a return of basic medical, food and fuel services," Wood said.

He said the department would continue to monitor conditions inside Zimbabwe and would issue another travel advisory if necessary.

"We're just gauging the situation as we see it on the ground and responding accordingly," Wood said at his daily briefing.

On its Web site, the State Department advised that the "political situation in Zimbabwe remains fluid and subject to change at a moment's notice."

U.S. citizens should "carefully evaluate" their need to travel to Zimbabwe at this time, the department said.

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On the Net:

State Department background on Zimbabwe: http://www.state.gov/p/af/ci/zi/