Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Hansard, 26 February 2002)

§ The Minister for Trade (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean)
My Lords, Her Majesty's Government hope that the results of the forthcoming meeting will include, among other issues: the launch of the High Level Review Group's report on modernising the Commonwealth; the Commonwealth's response to international terrorism; the Commonwealth's support in preparing for the world summit on sustainable development; the celebration of 50 years of dedicated service by Her Majesty the Queen; and the support of the 17th Commonwealth Games in Manchester later this year. Zimbabwe will also be discussed.

§ Lord Blaker
My Lords, I am grateful for that full reply. I hope that the outcome of some of the proposals mentioned by the Minister will be fruitful. It is clear that the election in Zimbabwe in 11 days' time cannot possibly be free and fair. If the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting does not take stern measures against Mr Mugabe, will not the influence and value of the Commonwealth suffer a crippling blow?

§ Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean
My Lords, let me make it clear that Her Majesty's Government will continue to press for the suspension of Zimbabwe from the Commonwealth, as we did at the CMAG meeting a couple of weeks or so ago. That will continue to be our position. However, consensus will be needed in order to achieve it. In my initial Answer, I said that 1310 one of the issues on which we hoped to make progress was the High Level Review Group report. That includes clarifying the remit of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group. We hope to expand that remit in order to allow the CMAG to be able to take decisions which are currently only in the purview of heads of government. I hope that that gives the noble Lord some indication that we are preparing the ground for the kind of eventuality that he fears.

§ Viscount Waverley
My Lords, in her initial response the Minister referred to discussions on international terrorism. Could the Commonwealth steal a march on the United Nations by utilising similar Commonwealth-wide legal traditions to adopt the spirit of UN Resolution 3173 on terrorism, following the ironically named 1986 Harare scheme on money flows, extradition and confiscation?

§ Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean
My Lords, we are not about "stealing a march" on the United Nations; we are about complementing the very useful work that the United Nations has undertaken. The Commonwealth plan of action on terrorism already includes a recommendation that the Harare scheme for mutual assistance in criminal matters should be reviewed and that it should be updated and fully implemented.
Our aims for the Heads of Government Meeting are focused in areas where we can add value and avoid duplication of the counter-terrorism work being undertaken elsewhere—not only in the UN but also in the G8. That is also one of the thrusts of the high level review. I hope that the points mentioned by the noble Viscount will also be covered.

§ Lord Hughes of Woodside
My Lords, is it not the case that the general parroting that there cannot be a free and fair election in Zimbabwe actually undermines those in Zimbabwe who are contesting the elections? Is it not the case that the continued demand for sanctions on Zimbabwe has led to the withdrawal of the EU observers, which people are now saying is a bad thing? Should we not be trying to encourage all those people in Zimbabwe who have the courage to stand up for freedom and democracy to go out and vote? Then, if President Mugabe does not win the election, we shall not continue saying that it was not free and fair—that is what he will say if he loses.

§ Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean
My Lords, I agree with my noble friend that it is enormously important that everyone in Zimbabwe is encouraged to go out and cast his or her vote on a free and fair basis, having found out as much as they can in these difficult times about the candidates for whom they could vote. I cannot agree with my noble friend if he is suggesting that the EU should not have withdrawn its observers. I do not believe that the EU had any choice in the matter given that the Government of Zimbabwe chose to try to dictate to the European Union exactly who should be on the EU team. There will be election observers. The Commonwealth will have observers 1311 there. So will the SADC, and South Africa is deploying quite a substantial team. So I can agree that we want everyone to go out and cast their vote on a free and fair basis.

§ Lord Howell of Guildford
My Lords, how many Commonwealth observers will there be? Zimbabwe is a huge country, and I understand that the number is a rather miserable 40. Now that the EU has withdrawn its observers—we should not discuss now who is to blame—is there not a case for Her Majesty's Government to finance a substantial increase in the number of observers so as to provide some hope of rescuing people from the fiasco and horror of Zimbabwe and having something approaching free and fair elections?

§ Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean
My Lords, I am happy to be able to tell the noble Lord that that is exactly what we have done. Concerns were voiced by the noble Baroness, Lady Park—who is not in her place today—when we last discussed the issue. The noble Lord is right that there is currently a team of only 39 or so Commonwealth observers, although I believe that more will be brought in before the election takes place. The SADC has a team of 37 and South Africa is deploying a team of 57 observers and a 20-strong delegation of parliamentarians. We increased the budget on 22nd February. Initially we had pledged £130,000 to the Commonwealth election observer mission. We have expanded that by £120,000, which we pledged a few days ago, as I said. I hope that that highlights the importance that we place on the issue and the recognition that we have given to the points raised on it.

§ Lord Shutt of Greetland
My Lords, will the Minister consider a different result in the Zimbabwe election—the possibility that Morgan Tsvangirai will win? In those circumstances, should not the Commonwealth be planning now for positive action and assistance to give those brave leaders and their people a fresh start in democracy and with their economy?

§ Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean
My Lords, of course we should not assume the outcome of the election, although we should not deceive ourselves, because the situation is very heavily weighted against the opposition. We have discussed in your Lordships' House how difficult it has been for the opposition to operate. I am afraid that we saw another example of that only yesterday. Of course it is possible that the opposition could win. I hope that the work that is being put in place by the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group and the work that will be taken forward at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting will allow that expanded remit for the CMAG to be able to take the sort of helpful action that the noble Lord indicates may just be necessary if the free and fair election that many of your Lordships would like takes place.