Taiwan Denies

Compiled by Gerry Jackson
27 October 2005

Taiwan has denied allegations by the MDC’s Job Sikhala that they were one of three countries who funded the MDC. At a press conference Sikhala was quoted as saying the MDC received funds from Ghana, Nigeria and Taiwan, adding more fuel to the MDC storm. He then claimed that he had been misquoted.

A foreign ministry spokesperson for Taiwan said: "The Republic of China is unlikely to intervene in internal affairs of any other countries, let alone make political contributions to Zimbabwe.” He added that it is impossible for Taiwan to avoid a required parliamentary review and monitoring to make such a political contribution.

Earlier this week Ghana also issued a denial.
Under Zimbabwe's Political Parties Finance Act, it is illegal for parties to receive foreign funding, and justice minister Patrick Chinamasa said he would report the matter to the police chief.