State owes diplomats, foreign governments millions

The Zimbabwean government owes its diplomats and foreign governments an estimated 800 million Zimbabwean dollars (US $14.5 million) in unpaid salaries and rentals, the 'Daily News' said on Friday. Willard Chiwewe, the permanent secretary in the ministry of foreign affairs, was quoted as saying: "It's a whole budget that is in arrears in terms of conversion into foreign currency," he said. "While it is so, we are doing everything possible in consultation with the ministry of finance to lessen the inconvenience that our embassies have experienced in the last four or so months and we might be up to date soon as the foreign currency situation improves," said Chiwewe. The report added that diplomats, using their own savings to meet government bills, would be reimbursed when the currency became available.