Brussels, 10/06/2008 (Agence Europe) - Shortly after the publication of the controversial results of the Zimbabwe elections, European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid Louis Michel denounced the blockade imposed by Zimbabwean authorities on humanitarian aid, calling for it to be lifted. “This ban on aid must be lifted immediately. It touches me deeply to think that hundreds of thousands of people dependent on aid from the European Commission and from other sources for their survival must today look towards a still more uncertain future”, he said. While calling for light to be shed on the reasons why the Zimbabwean authorities put the blockade in place, the commissioner pointed out that humanitarian aid comes within the context of “independence, neutrality and impartiality” and that the Commission is the largest donor, providing €90.9 million in 2007. (A.D./transl. jl)