§ Mr. AncramTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his policy on the potential attendance of(a) Robert Mugabe and (b) Zimbabwe officials and Ministers on the EU travel ban list at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in December 2003. [132573]
§ Mr. StrawAs it is suspended from the Councils of the Commonwealth, no invitation has been issued to the Government of Zimbabwe. This is in line with past Commonwealth practice. The EU's travel ban obviously does not apply to Abuja, Nigeria, where the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting is being held as Nigeria is not a member of the EU.
§ Mr. AncramTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions the British Government(a) has had and (b) plans to have with the government of (i) Australia, (ii) South Africa and (iii) Nigeria on President Robert Mugabe's attendance at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in December. [132574]
§ Mr. StrawWe have had regular discussions with the governments of Australia, South Africa and Nigeria on this issue. These discussions will continue in the run-up to CHOGM.