Rome, 14/10/2003 (Agence Europe) - The political, economic and social situation in Zimbabwe has given rise to a lively debate between MEPs and parliamentarians of ACP States (Africa/Caribbean/Pacific), who met in Rome for their sixth Joint Parliamentary Assembly (JPA), in the presence this time of parliamentarians from Zimbabwe. Although all expressed serious concern for the suffering of the Zimbabwean people above all - the main victims of the political and social difficulties of a country that has been overcome with poverty and exposed to sanctions - the resolve to take the heat out of the debate to reach an outcome favourable to relations between the Union and Zimbabwe was not unanimous. Different views on attributing first responsibilities for the crisis have not been overcome, some (mainly British deputies) putting sole blame on President Mugabe, his land reform and his violation of human rights and democracy, with others (mainly the representative for Zimbabwe and member of the government party, not appearing on the black list of persons not wanted in the Union) denouncing the British government's refusal to honour its financial commitments under the Lancaster House agreement. This was to such an extent that, at the outcome of the debate, it was not an acquired fact that the wish of the JPA Office -to send a joint ACP/EU parliamentary mission on site as soon as possible to rekindle the dialogue between the Union and Zimbabwe and thus break the deadlock- should be carried out with speed. This wish, however, which was largely backed by ACP and European parliamentarians who were the least impassioned, and the fact that the conditions for achieving this will continue to be discussed marks the fact that relations between the Union and Zimbabwe within the JPA are now less tense.
The report by the ACP President of the JPA, Adrien Houngbedji, on the mission that he recently conducted in Zimbabwe accompanied by a five ACP parliamentarian delegation gave the kick-off to the debate. The mission was to assess the situation on the ground, to obtain participation by Zimbabwean parliamentarians at the JPA and prepare the ground for a joint ACP/EU parliamentary mission. Many deputies welcomed the large range of discussion partners encountered - President Mugabe, members of his government, the president of the National Assembly, but also the leader of the parliamentary opposition, representatives of the industry and of white farmers' and black farmers' unions. The mission concluded that: - the difficulties faced by the population, both political and social, are largely due to the land reform undertaken by the country; - the sanctions adopted by the Union and other donors have a negative impact on national development and it is the population as a whole that will suffer the most; - and humanitarian aid from the international community remains inadequate.
During the exchange of views, Osei-Prempeh (parliamentarian of Ghana) felt that this was mainly a "Zimbabwean problem" and that the EU should play a role of mediation between the United Kingdom and Zimbabwe. Bashi Khanbhai (British Conservative) welcomed the ACP mission in the country. In his view, the problem of Zimbabwe is not a problem for the United Kingdom but for the world as a whole. He said Zimbabwe has nothing to fear from the Union. If Zimbabwe can prove that it is a democratic country, then it will no longer be a problem in ACP/EU relations, he added. Richard Howitt (British Labour member) felt that saying the current problem is due to a bad interpretation of history simply has the effect of extending it. He recalled that the United Kingdom contributed EUR 600 million in the Zimbabwe land reform between 1980 and 1985, an amount that was not guaranteed by the Lancaster agreement. He also denounced the "veritable intentions of Mugabe" which, in his view, are not the fate of two million landless people but maintenance of the corrupt Zanu and of the government Zanu PF. Mothejoa Metsing, Delegate Minister for Industry and Trade in Lesotho, said the JPA's duty is to help Zimbabwe. She said it does not help to demonise the opposition party and Mugabe. She said that, if they wish to play the role of mediator, then they must not support any one side. Sanctions which currently affect Zimbabwe mean that the leading party is wrong. But, she said, they have a duty to fulfil, which is to recognise that the United Kingdom has contributed to the problem.
Colette Flesch (ELDR, Luxembourg) called for her part for a "real substantive debate on land ownership and land reform" and called for members of the JPA to reach an agreement on the mandate and terms of reference for the joint mission before sending it to Zimbabwe. Mr Ponhele Ya France (head of the Namibian delegation) felt that "after seventeen years of monstrous power in the hands of a single man and one political party, a solution is only to be found through dialogue". Abubakar Bawa Bari (head of the Nigerian delegation) welcomed the ACP mission as a first step showing Zimbabwe's willingness to collaborate with the ACPs, and hence also with the Union. "The ACP countries may build bridges in a spirit of compromise in order to rekindle economic and financial cooperation. The population of Zimbabwe has great need of this", he declared. Didier Claude Rod (Greens, France) was also pleased that dialogue had resumed, saying: "To Europeans, I would say that they must respect the earlier agreements and not invoke human rights only when their own interests are at stake. To the authorities of Zimbabwe, I would say they should respect human rights, freedom of the press, the right of association, and that land reform is needed but not in the way it has been conducted so far". MEP Fodé Sylla (GUE, France), for his part, welcomed this discussion in a calmer climate but without taboos, since British commitments and the colonial past were evoked.
Mr Kangai, Head of the Zimbabwe delegation, was of the view: "My delegation has nothing to hide. The ACP mission met opposition leaders. There are no political prisoners today in Zimbabwe. There are independent newspapers". He put a damper on the meeting by saying: "those who tarnish the image of my country and defend the interests of the white are opposed to the economic power of a black Africa and do not dare show their real racist face".
Speaking on behalf of the European Commission, Koos Richelle, Director of DG Development, recalled that, over the past two years the Union had pursued its humanitarian aid and that the sanctions only affected members of the party and government. The economic crisis was caused by the government. The community of fund donors will continue to provide aid on condition that its efforts are not undermined. Only Zimbabwe alone can settle its political problem. For the time being, there is no mutual trust between the Union and Zimbabwe. "We would appreciate any SADC or African Union initiative to sound out the government's wish. Sanctions are applicable until end February 2004", he recalled.