HC Deb 13 February 2002 vol 380 cc435-6W
Mr. Ancram

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many official EU observers were admitted to Zimbabwe by(a) 3 February and (b) 5 February; and when each invitation requesting their presence from President Mugabe was received. [35101]

Mr. Straw

[holding answer 11 February 2002]: Four EU representatives, were deployed in Zimbabwe by 3 February, as the first phase of the EU observation mission. Three of these officials were already in Zimbabwe, while the fourth arrived on 3 February. The leader of the EU Mission, Pierre Schori, arrived in Zimbabwe on 10 February but has not yet received accreditation. An official letter to the EU about the deployment of observers from Foreign Minister Mudenge, was sent on 4 February.

Mr. Ancram

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 5 February 2002,Official Report, column 722, on which day the four representatives to which he referred arrived in Zimbabwe. [35228]

Mr. Straw

[holding answer 11 February 2002]: Three of the EU representatives have been in Zimbabwe for some time. The fourth arrived on 3 February.

Mr. Ancram

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 5 February 2002,Official Report, column 722, on Zimbabwe, for what reasons British observers are not included in the EU observation mission. [35227]

Mr. Straw

[holding answer 11 February 2002]: The selection of members of EU electoral observation teams is the responsibility of the European Commission.

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