HC Deb 01 March 1999 vol 326 c604W
Mr. Maclean

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to President Mugabe about the content of his recent statements to opposition groups. [73296]

Mr. Tony Lloyd

I saw President Mugabe on 25 February and told him of our concerns about his recent remarks about the judiciary, the media and non-governmental organisations. I encouraged him to reassure the Zimbabwean people and the international community of this commitment to international human rights standards and the rule of law.

Mr. Maclean

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what official visits he, his ministers or officials have paid to Zimbabwe since May 1997; whom they met; and what was discussed. [73464]

Mr. Tony Lloyd

I visited Zimbabwe in January 1998 and met the Acting President, the Foreign Minister and the Minister of Transport and Energy. I also met parliamentarians, non-governmental organisations, academics, unions, the media and business people. Topics discussed included regional issues, political and economic developments in Zimbabwe, land redistribution and human rights.

Most recently, I met President Mugabe when I visited Zimbabwe on 25 February, as part of a regional tour to discuss the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. I also raised our concerns over recent human rights abuses.

There have been a number of visits by officials, for a variety of reasons. We do not keep a central database of all visits by officials to Zimbabwe.

Mrs. Gillan

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Zimbabwe concerning its plans to nationalise land. [73388]

Mr. Tony Lloyd

[holding answer 26 February 1999]This Government recognise the need for land reform in Zimbabwe. We have told the Zimbabwe Government that we would be prepared to support a programme that is transparent and fair, follows the due process of law, is well-managed and affordable within an overall sound economic framework, has the support and participation of stakeholders and beneficiaries, and is aimed at poverty reduction.