President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe was expected to leave late Monday for the United Nations summit on climate change in Copenhagen accompanied by an entourage of 60 people, but Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai canceled at the last minute, citing his government workload and mounting travel costs.
Mr. Tsvangirai noted recent data from the Finance Ministry showing that official spending on foreign travel totaled more some US$28.4 million dollars between February and October of this year. Sources estimated the cost of the president’s trip at US$120,000 just for airfares, excluding hotel accommodations.
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition Advocacy Officer Gladys Hlatshwayo told VOA Studio 7 reporter Patience Rusere that although climate change is a critical issue, Zimbabwe more pressing matters to attend to just now.