World Bank willing to aid Zimbabwe, democracy key

• Zimbabwe's economy is in ruins with unemployment at around 90 percent and millions in need of food aid.
• Action by the World Bank could provide a major boost to help Zimbabwe restore its economy.

The South African Development Community and some countries including regional giant South Africa have called for the lifting of the targeted sanctions. The United States said last month it was not ready to lift the punitive measures.

"I think it's the decision of individual countries about what steps have to be taken to restore human rights and the democratic process," said Zoellick, in response to a question whether the World Bank supported calls to lift the sanctions.

"Zimbabwe is at a very sensitive point and we want it succeed. But that is going to require steps by all of the members of the Zimbabwe's institutions to restore democracy, restore human rights."