Strasbourg, 17/02/2003 (Agence Europe) - By adopting a resolution on Zimbabwe last Thursday at the end of its topical and urgent debate, the European Parliament has condemned the lack of coherency in EU policy (see EUROPE 14 February p 14 for information on this subject). In the resolution adopted by 82 votes, with 23 against and 2 abstentions, Parliament is requesting the continuation of current sanctions (which are due to expire on 18 February but which should be extended for another year) and is also seeking their extension to businessmen who financially prop up the ZANU-PF regime. It is also calling for the implementation of additional measures, notably the ending of the residency rights in Europe for people subject to EU sanctions and the banning of their families from jobs or education in the EU. It is requesting more extensive sanctions, particularly in international sport and the form of a boycott of cultural events to the exclusion of sanctions that increase the suffering of the ordinary people.
Parliament criticised the invitation to Mugabe to take part in the Franco-African Summit on 20-21 February and is insisting on a refusal of visas to Mugabe and all the others subject to sanctions in Zimbabwe for the EU-Africa Summit in Lisbon (5 April, it will undoubtedly be postponed). The EP condemns the problems caused by the regime, which once again rule out the possibility of dialogue between the EU and Africa. Parliament is requesting the South African and Angolan Presidents, Mbeki and Dos Santos to exert pressure on the Mugabe regime and demand new elections under international control. It is also asking the Commonwealth to continue with the suspension of Mugabe. It refutes the idea that the replacement of President Mugabe by Emmerson Mnangagwas would resolve the problems of Zimbabwe, "given that the latter unquestionably bears some of the responsibility for the state of the economy of the country and its management, likewise in the way that he has been involved in acts of political violence and rigging elections".