Dialogue or confrontation in Zimbabwe?
Sweden's Ambassador in Zimbabwe, Sten Rylander, was noticeably moved when, before a packed audience, he opened the seminar entitled "Dialogue or Conflict in Zimbabwe?" at the Human Rights Days in Älvsjö, the largest forum for human rights in Nordic countries. In recent weeks, Zimbabwean media have depicted Mr Rylander and Sweden as barbaric enemies.
"Sten Rylander is a very experienced diplomat. As Ambassador in Zimbabwe, he represents the Swedish Government's - and the joint EU - policy. This policy aims at assisting the Zimbabwean people and supporting dialogue and democratic development in Zimbabwe," says Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt.
For four days, the media in Zimbabwe have depicted Sweden and Sten Rylander himself as barbaric enemies.
"Contrary to what has been written, I am a great friend of Zimbabwe and am struggling for dialogue and bridge-building, which is the only path to success in the process of achieving positive change and a normal situation in the country," says Mr Rylander.
Other participants in the seminar were Professor Brian Raftopoulos, the Solidarity Peace Trust in South Africa, George Kegoro from the Kenyan Section of the International Commission of Jurists and Shari Eppel from Zimbabwe. The overall picture showed a country in deep crisis. Inflation in Zimbabwe is 14 000 per cent, unemployment is 60-80 per cent.
The Human Rights Days took place in Älvsjö on 19-20 November with the participation of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Sida, the Swedish Institute of International Affairs and others.
