25/1/2002
Senior MEP Calls on EU To Impose Immediate Sanctions on Mugabe

Leading British Labour MEP Glenys Kinnock, has characterised the four page formal response from President Mugabe to the first round of EU-Zimbabwe consultations as 'totally inadequate,' and called for the European Union to impose 'smart sanctions' on the regime of President Robert Mugabe. The letter containing the response was further evidence of the fact that the Government of Zimbabwe had no intention of meeting the EU's two most important criteria - that violence and intimidation must end and that a timescale for the entry of election observers should have been clearly given, she said in a press statement.

"It is clear that they think a 'snap shot' on the day will suffice when in fact lengthy preparations are needed and as well as supervision on March 9/10th there needs to be a strong international presence at the count," said Mrs Kinnock. "It is clear that [the government of Zimbabwe] simply do not understand the international values and principles which the EU is seeking to apply in the interests of stopping the violence and repression in Zimbabwe and working to ensure that the Presidential election in March can be fairly contested, she continued.

Mr Mugabe has simply denied culpability on any of the issues being raised by the EU and the response to the EU from the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Harare had again denied that there was any problem with the rule of law. "Yet this very weekend a peaceful opposition rally was broken up with tear gas, and it is claimed that hundreds of Zanu-PF youth militias were instrumental in the attack……. just hours before an official visit by Nigeria's President," said Mrs Kinnock .

Meanwhile spokesmen for the Zimbabwe government have claimed that the UK is providing funds for the opposition Movement for Democratic Change. Mrs Kinnock said this was a complete fantasy that had been thoroughly rebutted in Harare by the British High Commission..

Mrs Kinnock called recently for the EU to impose targeted sanctions on members of Mr Mugabe's regime. This week she did so again saying "it is now clearer than ever that there is no alternative to the immediate imposition of smart sanctions." She also called for a review of the EU's partnership with Zimbabwe under the Cotonou Agreement which provides development aid for the country.