Rory Watson in Brussels
The European Union stepped up sanctions against Zimbabwe yesterday, in an
effort to increase pressure on Robert Mugabe a day after he signed a pact to
enter power-sharing talks with the opposition Movement for Democratic
Change.
The new embargo identified a further 37 supporters of the regime whose
assets will be frozen and who will be subject to a visa ban, preventing them
from entering EU territory. For the first time the sanctions will also
affect four Zimbabwean companies and aim to close loopholes that have
enabled Mr Mugabe to come to Europe almost at will despite being the first
name on the travel ban.
Announcing the measures, in protest against June’s widely condemned
presidential election run-off, Bernard Kouchner, the French Foreign
Minister, said: “It is impossible to accept the result of the second
elections when basic democratic rules are being violated. Sanctions have an
effect. They are not just for fun.”
The decision to add new names to the 130 already on the sanctions list was
taken despite the signing on Monday of a deal between Mr Mugabe and Morgan
Tsvangirai, the MDC leader, on a framework for talks. The discussions, which
were due to begin in South Africa yesterday, got off to a far from
auspicious start after the chief representatives for both parties failed to
leave Harare. The talks are now unlikely to begin before Thursday.
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David Miliband, the Foreign Secretary, said: “The sanctions that we and
others are proposing are designed to reinforce the drive for the
transitional government to reflect the democratic will of the Zimbabwean
people.”
The EU’s decision, which was implemented immediately, has extended the
sanctions to four Harare-based companies. They included Zidco Holdings and
Jongwe Printing and Publishing Company (PVT) Ltd, which carries out printing
and publishing for the ruling Zanu (PF). Also on the list is Cold Comfort
Farm Trust Co-operative, which is considered a front for investments outside
Zimbabwe, and Zimbabwe Defence Industries.
The individuals added to the visa ban hail largely from the business sector
and the military. They include Gideon Gono, governor of the central bank,
Joyce Kazembe, the vice-president of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, and
Peter Chingoka, the head of the country’s cricket federation, who is accused
of supporting the terror campaign during the elections. For the first time,
two journalists have also been included: Munyaradzi Huni and Caesar Zvayi,
both of whom work for the state-run Herald.
Foreign ministers made clear last night that the sanctions could be extended
to other individuals and organisations. In the coming weeks the EU will
“examine the measures which might be taken against others responsible for
violence, and other bodies linked to them”, it said.
In future it will be possible to prevent the visit to Europe by anyone on
the banned list unless “on humanitarian grounds”. The EU cannot stop
individuals attending UN meetings on its soil but now it will give visas
only to the persons directly concerned. Mr Mugabe will be able to attend
meetings but his wife will be refused a visa.
Post published in: News