Zanu-PF slams EU over sanctions
2013-02-18 22:01
Special Report
Civil society groups in Zimbabwe say election delay would do little to dissuade President Robert Mugabe's supporters from voter intimidation.
Harare - President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party dismissed
as "outrageous and preposterous" the decision by EU foreign ministers
on Monday to only lift some sanctions against Zimbabwe.
"Zanu-PF will never accept any conditional removal
of the illegal sanction or any self-serving initiatives meant to advance the
economic interests of western nations," party spokesperson Rugare Gumbo
said in a statement.
"Lifting of the illegal sanctions must be
unconditional and total. We believe that the current move to partially lift the
illegal sanctions is intended to serve the interests of nations that want rough
diamonds from our mines."
The statement came after officials said EU foreign
ministers had lifted an asset freeze and travel ban against 21 Zimbabweans out
of 112 currently on an EU blacklist and also struck one of 11 firms off the
list.
The agreement comes 48 hours before the expiry of
sanctions against the regime.
It followed moves towards the adoption of a new
constitution for Zimbabwe.
Gumbo said the partial lifting of sanctions was a western
ploy to divide his party, adding that the sanctions were illegal as they were
not approved by the UN.
He said his party would continue to push for the total
lifting of the sanctions.
Zimbabwe last week announced it would hold a vote on a
new constitution next month and elections in July.
- SAPA
