§ 21. Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in Zimbabwe. [145055]
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§ Mr. HainWe remain very concerned about both political and economic developments in Zimbabwe. Violence again marred election campaigning in the run-up to the by-election earlier this month. We condemn all acts of violence and urge the Government and Opposition to work to ensure that elections are the free choice of the people of Zimbabwe, without violence, intimidation or fear.
The economic situation in Zimbabwe continues to deteriorate with the key indicators pointing to a deepening crisis in 2001: more job loses, high inflation, shrinking growth, and shortages of foreign exchange. We look to the Government of Zimbabwe to take determined action to reverse Zimbabwe's economic decline.