Brussels, 06/11/2000 (Agence Europe) - On 3 November, the French Presidency made the following declaration on behalf of EU regarding Zanzibar:
"The European Union welcomes the joint communiqué issued by the international delegations of observers on 31 October to the effect that the elections held in mainland Tanzania on 29 October were on the whole peaceful, free and representative of public opinion. However, the EU expresses deep concern at the situation in Zanzibar, following the elections held there on the same day. It is clear from the statements by the teams of international and local observers in Zanzibar that the organisation of these elections was grossly inadequate. The holding of fresh elections in only 16 constituencies ignores the scale of the problem. Nor does the involvement of Zanzibar's electoral commission as currently constituted offer the possibility of holding credible elections. The European Union strongly advises the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania to find a solution acceptable to all parties in Zanzibar.
The EU condemns the excessive use of force by the security forces against civilians in Zanzibar. It calls on all concerned, including the security forces, to show restraint and refrain from any further violence or provocation. It stresses the responsibility of the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania for guaranteeing the political and human rights of all the people of Tanzania, including those in Zanzibar.
The Central and Eastern European countries associated with the European Union, the associated countries Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area align themselves with this declaration."