We need to maintain our vigilance to ensure that barriers to participation... do not undermine the credibility of those results.

What is the United States doing to address those concerns and have concerns like this been addressed effectively through the Kimberley Process?

I would agree with your assertion that we should not be lifting sanctions simply in response to a peaceful election, but should instead insist on the whole menu of respect for private property, for human rights, for open civil society, for…

Engagement and flexibility does not mean appeasement.

The election itself is not an expression of democratic will, nor a process for Zimbabwe to select a political leader.

I think there is still the possibility of progress in security sector reform, in electoral reform, and with some significant changes it is still possible for there to be credible, free, and fair elections later this year.

We are absolutely correct to continually review and reduce or take people off the sanctions list when they are no longer becoming a problem.

If Zimbabwe were to change and if we were to see a changed timeline, with free and fair and open elections...

We should not simply wait, we should not simply accept peaceful elections; we should be using all the levers available to us.

What that would mean is that the United States, working with the Treasury, working with some of our allies in Europe, could make... a preemptive statement that future loans or contracts signed by an illegitimate Zimbabwe Government would…

Credible, free, fair elections are the beginning, beyond which there are other critical benchmarks.

It is already far too late for a free and fair election in 2013.

A key concern is security sector reform, the politicization of the police and the military and the lack of confidence that they will remain neutral in the election.

So do you think the Kimberley Process continues to be relevant to this conversation?

These are critically important elections that should be held under conditions in which Zimbabweans are able to freely vote for leadership of their choice.

This hearing is a timely opportunity to shape United States policy, not only because Zimbabwe is facing a critical moment, but also because I am increasingly concerned that our government may be sleepwalking down the wrong path.

We are at serious risk of sending the wrong signals and damaging U.S. interests in the region.

The foundation for full economic turnaround is still missing.