Zimbabwe

HC Deb 26 June 2000 vol 352 cc403-4W

Mr. Gerald Howarth

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Governments of(a) South Africa and (b) other countries bordering Zimbabwe concerning the situation in Zimbabwe. [126763]

Mr. Hain

We have had regular contact with the countries of Southern Africa concerning the situation in Zimbabwe. President Mbeki visited the UK last month as a Guest of Government. I attended a meeting of the World Economic Forum in Durban on 22 June where I met leaders from other Southern African countries.

Mr. Gerald Howarth

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans the Government have to send observers to Zimbabwe for the parliamentary elections; and if he will make a statement. [126760]

Mr. Hain

We have no plans to send a British observer team to Zimbabwe. We have however contributed funding to the EU and Commonwealth observer teams. We have also contributed funding for the training of Zimbabwean election monitors.