Luxembourg, 30/10/2001 (Agence Europe) - Monday's General Affairs Council adopted conclusions on Africa, the result of an exchange of views on developments in the situation in Zimbabwe, in the African Great Lake region and in Eritrea, and also on the new African initiative for development of the African continent. The conclusions covered:
Zimbabwe. The results of the recent Troika mission in Zimbabwe and, above all, the disappointing response from Zimbabwe's Foreign Minister to the European offer regarding an exploratory electoral mission and the sending of monitors for the presidential elections in spring 2002, led the Council to decide on implementation of Article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement. Consultation prior to the eventual suspension of Union cooperation with this country will therefore be initiated with the authorities of Zimbabwe in the context of reinforcement of the political dialogue in progress. Dialogue is on cessation of political violence, electoral monitoring, freedom of the media, independence of the justice system and the end of the unlawful occupation of property, Council President Louis Michel told the press. He went on to add: "It is too soon to speak of a freeze in cooperation. We hope to receive a positive answer in the context of these consultations. If we do not, proportionate measures will be taken, in the knowledge that it is difficult to envisage long-term development aid with a country that does not restore its relations with the Union". (On Tuesday, in Harare, Foreign Minister Stan Mudenga said that Zimbabwe is "ready for consultation" but does not accept an ultimatum).
Burundi. The Council was informed of Mediator Nelson Mandela's approach to the Council and Commission Presidency (Brussels, 15 and 16 October) calling for financial support from the Union to the constitution of a special protection unit to guarantee the safety of exiled politicians when they return to Burundi on 1 November. The ministers admitted the importance of granting such support through endorsement from the parties for the Arusha Process, and from the United Nations, the obtaining of a specific mandate for this unit as well as budgetary transparency. "The Commission gave a favourable response to this request, but it is not easy to make such sums available", observed Louis Michel, who said: "The total amount required is $86 million. 18 million is needed to get the process going again, then 5 million per month". He added: "Belgium has undertaken to pay $5 million, corresponding to one month funding for a presence on the ground".
Democratic Republic of Congo. Informed of the interruption in inter-Congolese dialogue during the meeting in Addis Abeba, the Council invites all the parties to set a date as soon as possible for initiating substantive dialogue on transition to democracy together with a realistic timetable. It stresses the need to keep pressure up in order to speed up the withdrawal of foreign troops.
Eritrea. The Council restates its concern further to the reminder from the heads of EU missions. The Fifteen remain firm towards President Isaias Afewerki and will review the situation during their next session on 9 November.
New African Initiative. Informed by Louis Michel of the meeting on 10 October in Brussels with the African Heads of State who promoted the initiative, the Council restates its support to the New Partnership for African development and gives its assurance that it will pay special attention to the matter in the context of Europe-Africa dialogue.