Vol. 541 No. 2
228 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps which are being taken at a bilateral level or through the European Union to highlight the atrocities by the regime in Zimbabwe; if he will put pressure on President Robert Mugabe to observe the rule of law and the democratic process; and if he will ensure that aid funds and food aid are not misdirected and misused by the corrupt ruling regime. [21910/01]
For a number of months, the European Union has been engaged in a dialogue with the Government of Zimbabwe aimed at creating a stable democratic political environment in the country, thereby contributing to the full protection of human rights. The General Affairs Council meeting on 25 June noted a lack of substantial progress in the dialogue and expressed deep concern over recent developments. Ministers stressed that as a first priority the dialogue should yield rapid and tangible results on the following: an end to political violence, and in particular an end to all official encouragement or acceptance of such violence; an invitation to the EU to support and observe coming elections and full access to that end; concrete action to protect the freedom of mass media; independence of the Judiciary and the respect of its decisions and an end of illegal occupation of properties. The Council agreed to closely follow developments in these areas as well as on overall questions regarding the rule of law, economic policies and the land reform over a two month period and to take appropriate measures if substantial progress has not been made.
In the interim, a meeting of a Commission of Commonwealth Foreign Ministers on Zimbabwe took place in Abuja, Nigeria on 6 September. At that meeting, the Zimbabwean delegation gave a number of important assurances, including a commitment to operate the land reform programme in accordance with the rule of law. The General Affairs Council will take up the question of Zimbabwe again later this year, probably at the end of October. At that meeting Ministers will examine progress in the EU's dialogue with Zimbabwe, assess the steps taken by Zimbabwe to implement the commitments it undertook in Abuja and examine the implications of yesterday's interim ruling of the Zimbabwean Supreme Court in relation to the Government's land acquisition programme.
