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EU blasts growing Zim crisis
23/02/2004 19:27 - (SA)
Brussels - The European Union condemned on Monday the worsening crisis in Zimbabwe, blasting notably President Robert Mugabe's failure to stop political intimidation and violence in the embattled African country.
"The EU remains concerned at the worsening situation in Zimbabwe in all sectors," said a statement by EU foreign ministers, confirming the renewal and strengthening of sanctions against Harare.
The ministers "deplored the degradation of the human rights situation in Zimbabwe and the failure on the part of the government... to engage in meaningful dialogue with the opposition and civil society.
"It (the ministerial meeting) emphasised its profound concern at continued instances of political intimidation and violence," added the statement.
Last week EU interior and justice ministers adopted without debate an extended list of 95 Zimbabwean officials - including Mugabe - who are banned from entering EU countries and a freeze on their assets.
The EU sanctions, which now enter a third year, also include an embargo on supplies of arms and military equipment to Zimbabwe. The United States has imposed similar restrictions against the southern African country.
Supports mediation
The foreign ministers, formally confirming the sanctions, underlined that they "are not directed at the Zimbabwean people," but rather are "aimed at promoting a positive development of the situation."
And it added: "The EU continues to support the mediation efforts of South Africa and SADC (the Southern African Development Community) to resolve the Zimbabwean crisis, which affects the whole of Southern Africa.
"The EU remains ready to engage in dialogue with Zimbabweans, including with Zimbabwean parliamentarians of all parties, and expresses its readiness to consider further measures to promote such contacts."
Zimbabwe last week called the renewal of the EU sanctions regrettable, saying it was aimed at inciting the people against the government.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Pavelyn Musaka said the government noted with "disappointment that the EU has persisted with the sterile policy of sanctions at the dictates and instigation of Britain, the former colonial power".
"Our expectations were that the EU member countries, in their wisdom, would persuade the United Kingdom to enter into dialogue with Zimbabwe with the aim of resolving the land issue," she said.
- AFP
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