Morgan Tsvangirai is on a mission to save Zimbabwe. The longtime leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) became prime minister as part of a transitional, power-sharing government formed with President Robert Mugabe after last year's election ended in violence. Tsvangirai spoke to NEWSWEEK's Christopher Werth in London during a trip to wrangle help rebuilding Zimbabwe. Excerpts:
You say Zimbabwe needs $8 billion. What for?
It's not just about food. It's about education, health, and reviving agricultural production so small farmers have food self-sufficiency. It is very important to demonstrate that this government represents the beginning of real change.
But Western governments are concerned Mugabe hasn't relinquished enough control.
They want to see us implementing what we agreed, and there's nothing wrong with that. But where I've gone, people want to help Zimbabweans. They want to see economic recovery.
Should sanctions be lifted?
There has to be a progressive, targeted, and phased support depending on what we do, not what we say. After all, it does not cost money to give people freedom.
You've said that you and c sit down every Monday, and that there is no more acrimony. But after the beatings you received, Is he someone you can work with?
We can do business, but it's a businesslike relationship. At a personal level we differ, but respectfully. We've agreed that there's no issue that's insurmountable.
Mugabe's allies and the state-controlled media in Zimbabwe continue to say some very harsh things about you.
As far I'm concerned, we are in government. We are no longer the opposition. The state media must adjust to the reality that I'm prime minister with executive authority, just like Mugabe and the cabinet. That's what the agreement says.
At the same time, your supporters might say you've been too conciliatory toward Mugabe.
I've never been judged on how confrontational or conciliatory I am toward Mugabe. I am targeted because people want his head. It's not about me. I'm not going to be the one to stand up on the top of the hill to defend his past. But I'm saying that, since we have agreed to work together, we can commit ourselves to what we have said we are going to do.
Do MDC supporters still face violence?
There has been a drastic drop in the incidents of serious, politically motivated violence. At this stage, things are working much better than expected.
But Amnesty International says Zimbabwe continues to see serious human-rights abuses. Is the MDC turning its back on human rights for the moment?
We're not turning our back on anything. I'm not going to be part of a government that is at the forefront of abusing Zimbabweans. We have turned a chapter, and we should demonstrate that we are committed to the rule of law. That is my position.
Do you have any power over this issue, or would you pull out of the unity government?
I'm not going to pull out. Neither am I powerless. I have executive authority as part of this government to be responsible for the outcome of what this government decides. No one has been given any authority to go and abuse Zimbabweans.
But Mugabe is still controlling security forces, police, the media.
Hold on. He doesn't control them. There is no parallel government. I am responsible for formulation and implementation of policy and supervision of all ministers, right? Mugabe is head of state. That is the hierarchical authority in unity government.
But it looks as though the transition isn't taking place.
Transition is taking place. If it has not taken place, how are we able to register these positive steps that we have done, and which Zimbabweans can see as deliverables? Schools have opened. Hospitals are opening. Inflation has been cut. Goods and commodities are available to Zimbabweans in the shops. There is peace and stability.