Brussels, 17/10/2000 (Agence Europe) - During its session in Brussels last week, the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly invited the European Union to support the strengthening of the democratic institutions and the economic reforms in progress in Zimbabwe. With the adoption of a resolution presented by the representatives for southern Africa, the Assembly recognises that the result of the legislative elections in June this year is the "expression of the genuine hopes and aspirations of the Zimbabwe people". It invites all the political leaders, both government and opposition, to create a climate that is propitious for the normalisation of political activity and challenge, in conformity with the rules of democratic practice, as well as to break the vicious circle of incendiary declarations and reprisals. The United Kingdom is invited to meet its obligations under the Lancaster House agreements (1979), concerning the financing of the process for land acquisition and the relocation of populations to the benefit of millions of Zimbabwean farmers without land.
During the debate, British Conservative John Bowis and British Labour member Glenys Kinnock criticised President Mugabe's attitude, the recent amnesty, the continued violence and the intimidation and harassment which members of the opposition suffer. After the fashion of other parliamentarians from southern Africa, South African deputy Mr Davies stressed the responsibility of the United Kingdom which did not fulfil its commitments under the Lancaster House agreement. He said that his government has pledged to help Zimbabwe to reverse the falling economic spiral in which it finds itself. He is opposed to all suspension of aid to Zimbabwe.