Zimbabwe says pledges of aid hit $1.35 billion

Zimbabwe, threatened by tighter trade terms with white-ruled South Africa, announced it had won international aid pledges totalling $1.35 billion at a donors' conference here.

"I think it has been more than a complete success," said senior government economist Tom Mswaka. Other government economists, however, said this included sums that were still subject to approval by the legislatures of donor countries and promises that were still not firm. They said the actual amount of firmly pledged aid for the rural reorganization was ar ound $330 million.