Ministers rapped over Zimbabwe

Date: 24/10/02

EUROPEAN Union foreign ministers have been accused of 'deliberately undermining' their own 'smart' sanctions against Robert Mugabe's regime in Zimbabwe.

It follows a decision to switch a ministerial meeting next month with the EU-Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) from Copenhagen to Mozambique. It means that Zimbabwean Foreign Minister Stan Mudenge - among those banned from travelling to EU countries - will now be free to attend the meeting, from 7-8 November.

The decision to relocate it was criticised by Ephraim Tapa, chief spokesman for the 'Save Zimbabwe' campaign.

He said: 'The people of Zimbabwe had high expectations that the Mugabe regime would be further isolated by the EU's targeted sanctions. But the EU has caved in. It is a catastrophe for ordinary Zimbabweans and makes a mockery of the EU's travel ban.'

Geoffrey Van Orden, deputy chairman of the European Parliament's foreign affairs committee, agreed. He told members: 'The decision to move a meeting from the EU to Africa represents a laughable attempt to sidestep its own sanctions.

'It is an insult to all those who are desperately struggling for their lives and livelihoods in Zimbabwe today.'

European Union foreign ministers have been accused of 'deliberately undermining' their own sanctions against Robert Mugabe's regime in Zimbabwe.