Mugabe: A "Practical" Marxist

"We have succeeded to a great extent in creating harmony, but it is too much to expect that in six months we could have transformed every individual in the community. " So says Robert Mugabe, the former nationalist guerrilla leader and self-proclaimed Marxist who took over as the first Prime Minister of independent Zimbabwe six months ago. Since then, he has allayed many of the widespread fears that he might plunge the country into Communism or racial chaos. Instead, the sternly ascetic Mugabe, 56, has preached a policy of national reconciliation and cautious gradualism in economic adjustment. In his sparsely decorated office in downtown Salisbury last week, Mugabe discussed his government's progress and goals with TIME Johannesburg Bureau Chief Marsh Clark. Excerpts:

On the state of the country. Since the elections [in February], the progress has been tremendous. We have moved quite a long way in consolidating the peace. Our armed forces are integrating, and a single army is being formed. The dissident elements scattered throughout the country are being rounded up. In the public sector, we were naturally concerned that there was racial imbalance in the system. We have been advancing Africans, but not by getting rid of whites. We still have urgent problems -- resettling people displaced by the war, reconstructing ruined schools, hospitals and roads. Of course, we have to achieve much more before the situation is as it should be.

On his being a Marxist. I think I am a practicing one, but also a practical one. We do not want to see a society divided into classes; we want to build an egalitarian society. [But] we recognize that there has been a capitalist system in this country that has established a viable infrastructure. We recognize that to overthrow that system would be to create no base at all but to create chaos. Therefore, we cannot go around nationalizing the multinationals. We do not believe in the forcible seizure of property.

On foreign aid. We have not got enough aid. We had worked on the basis of British and American promises that at least $1 billion would be available for our development program. So we want to see indications -- not necessarily hard cash -- that Britain, the U.S. and other countries are going to fulfill their promises. Nevertheless, we are thankful for what little they have done.

On continuing violence. There are a few who feel the electoral decision should have gone the other way. Some have turned dissident and are carrying out brutal acts. But there are not many. It will take time for them to adjust, but they are adjusting. What is important is that most of our people simply do not want another war.

On white emigration. The number of white people who have departed is really not that astronomical. It is regrettable that some who have left could have contributed to the development of the country. We need skills here. But the majority seem to be more confident now than they were.

On the Tekere trial. I would refute any suggestion that the government is on trial. Only one man, along with seven others, is on trial. If a man has done wrong, well, that man should be made answerable for his actions.

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