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German printer quits Zimbabwe
Allan Hall07.07.08
The German firm that supplied Zimbabwe with half its banknotes has bowed to international pressure and pulled its contract with the Mugabe regime in Harare.
Giesecke & Devrient was lambasted at home and abroad for underwriting the terror in the southern African state by producing the notes Robert Mugabe needs to pay his henchmen.
The Munich company said its decision was in response to an official request from the German government.
Managing director Karsten Ottenberg said: "Our decision takes account of concerns about the worsening political situation in Zimbabwe which we had expected to improve.
"It also reflects the critical views from the international community, the government and general public."
The company is the world's second-largest banknote printer. With inflation reported to be 10 million percent, the regime kept its presses outside Harare running constantly.
