Zimbabwe is not a basket case, says Mugabe

 People have grown enough food for themselves.  We have had years, continuous, successive years of drought.  Don’t forget that.  And in addition...
 
I’ve seen the drought figures.  I’ve got all the statistics here.

... sanctions, as wel ... and combine the effects of drought with the effects of sanctions, and what do you get?
 
Well, and the effect of what many people are saying is the land reform that really created this huge discrepancy in your ability to farm.

The land reform is the best thing that could ever have happened.
 
The best thing?
Yes, that could ever have happened to an African country. It has to do with national sovereignty. Zimbabwe belongs to the Zimbabwean people.
 
... and everybody believes that?

Yes.  All people believe it.
 
So do you consider white Zimbabweans to be Zimbabweans?

Those who are naturalized and have citizenship, yes.

 
Those who’ve been living there for years and years and years?

But historically ... they have a debt.

The people who -- contributing to farming -- historically they have a debt to pay?

Yes, yes, their land.  They -- they occupied the land illegally.  They seized the land from our people. Therefore, the process of reform, land reform, involved their handing -- having to hand over the land.  We agreed upon this with the British, by the way.