HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK ---------------------------
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,2-2002014608,00.html The Times WEDNESDAY JANUARY 09 2002 Blair's new African quest BY TOM BALDWIN, MICHAEL HARTNACK AND MARTIN FLETCHER Britain backs call for Commonwealth to suspend Mugabe BRITAIN backed calls for Zimbabwe to be suspended from the Commonwealth yesterday as Tony Blair came home from Afghanistan and turned his sights to Africa. He intends to visit the continent next month. Jack Straw told MPs that if President Mugabe�s regime continued to sanction political intimidation and land seizures, the Government would have no option but to argue for Zimbabwe�s suspension. The decision reflects the Prime Minister�s determination to focus foreign policy on the world�s most impoverished and violent continent as part of his mission to make Britain a global �force for good�. The new drive on Africa will be underscored as both Mr Blair and Mr Straw visit Africa in the coming weeks � although neither will visit Zimbabwe. The Foreign Secretary and his French counterpart, Hubert V�drine, will visit Congo and Uganda this month. Mr Blair, who returned from a six-day peace mission in South Asia yesterday, is expected to spend up to a week in Africa next month. A spokesman said that he believed Africa was the one continent �which has missed out on all the benefits of globalisation and world trade. He wants to give this heavy priority.� Both Mr Blair and Mr Straw are expected to discuss Zimbabwe with other African leaders. Yesterday the Foreign Secretary told the Commons that despite agreements reached in Nigeria in September, political violence, occupation of farms and harassment of journalists had continued in a �serious and persistent violation� of the Commonwealth�s principles. Renewed attempts to suspend Zimbabwe are expected on January 30 when the eight-member ministerial action team meets in London before the heads of government summit in Australia in March. European Union officials will also meet Zimbabwean ministers in Brussels on Friday to discuss EU demands that Mr Mugabe respects democracy, the rule of law and human rights. The Government has in the past refused to back Zimbabwe�s suspension because ministers believed such a move would play into Mr Mugabe�s hands. Although the Foreign Office remains pessimistic about the prospect of winning majority support for the measure, a senior source said: �We will support Zimbabwe�s suspension because we think it is right.� Mr Straw�s remarks brought mixed feelings in Harare. Lovemore Madhuku, a leading lawyer in the campaign for constitutional reform, feared that they could fuel nationalist passions and said suspension would not help much. �Mugabe is far more afraid of what will happen in the streets than in the Commonwealth.� The Harare Government denounced Britain, saying the suspension would not happen, and pressed ahead with draconian laws to stifle opposition. Three Bills began their passage through Parliament which would crack down on independent journalists, give police new powers of detention and ban independent monitors for elections. The Commonwealth is reluctant ever to expel any member, and has until now suspended only those accused of violating basic principles of membership. The nearest the 54-nation organisation came to expulsion was in 1961 when it warned South Africa that its apartheid system was incompatible with membership. The South Africans withdrew just before they were ejected. Nigeria was suspended in 1995 after a military coup and the murder of the writer Ken Saro-Wiwa. Pakistan walked out of the Commonwealth in 1972 after the war with breakaway East Pakistan and the recognition of Bangladesh. It reapplied for membership and was admitted in 1989. Fiji has twice been suspended after coups in 1987 and 2000. Mr Blair�s African mission was delayed in the aftermath of the September 11 atrocities. However, he has insisted that the latest trip should go ahead as part of his vision for a new world order with Britain playing a �pivotal role�. Downing Street remains sensitive to charges that the Prime Minister has turned his back on domestic problems, with his official spokesman saying that he had held a series of stock-taking meetings yesterday on public services ,including transport. However, a spokesman added: �It has always been the role of the Prime Minister to represent British interests abroad, which as the world comes closer together, are ever more closely bonded with those of other countries.� __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Send FREE video emails in Yahoo! Mail! http://promo.yahoo.com/videomail/ ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [email protected] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.a9WB2D Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
