Zimbabwe (Hansard, 26 November 2001)

§ Tony Worthington
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the support given by(a) Zimbabwean and (b) other SADC parliamentarians for the electoral recommendations to Zimbabwe by the SADC Parliamentary Forum. [16235]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
We welcome the commitment shown by SADC parliamentarians to democratic norms in the conduct of elections in their region, reflected in the recommendations agreed at the SADC Parliamentary Forum meeting in Windhoek on 25 March 2001. SADC parliamentarians clearly have a valuable role to play in ensuring their recommendations are followed in all SADC countries. We hope they will urge respect for these recommendations in the run up to the forthcoming Zimbabwean Presidential election.

§ Tony Worthington
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what international efforts are being made to encourage the Government of Zimbabwe to implement the recommendations on elections endorsed at the meeting of the SADC Parliamentary Forum at Windhoek in March. [16236]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
The UK, the Commonwealth, the Southern African Development Community, the EU, the US and other concerned members of the international community continue to urge the Government of Zimbabwe, at every opportunity, to create a climate conducive to free and fair elections, and to admit international election observers in good time. The recommendations of the SA DC Parliamentary Forum set important benchmarks for the whole region.

§ Tony Worthington
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he has taken to support the SADC Parliamentary Forum proposals for elections in Zimbabwe. [16237]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
We continue to urge the Government of Zimbabwe, at every opportunity, to create a climate conducive to free and fair elections.
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With our EU partners, we shall focus on the electorial process during forthcoming consultations with the Government of Zimbabwe, under Article 96 of the Cotonou agreement, including the norms and standards set by SADC for elections in Southern Africa.

§ Tony Worthington
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations(a) his Department and (b) international organisations have made to the Zimbabwe Government to ensure that a politically neutral election commission is in place to administer the forthcoming presidential election in Zimbabwe. [16238]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
We continue to urge the Government of Zimbabwe, at every opportunity, to create a climate conducive to free and fair elections, including a neutral Electoral Supervisory Commission. We are also working with our EU colleagues to encourage a free and fair electoral process in Zimbabwe in the context of consultations with the Government of Zimbabwe under Article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement.

§ Tony Worthington
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what British representations have been made to the Government of Zimbabwe relating to(a) free access for all parties to up to date copies of the electronic voters roll, (b) freedom of private media, (c) equal access of all parties to state controlled media during the presidential election campaign and (d) agreement to the admission of election observers bound by the SADC Parliamentary Forum Code. [16239]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
We urge the Government of Zimbabwe, at every opportunity, to create a climate conducive to free and fair elections and to admit international election observers in the lead up to, and during, the forthcoming Presidential elections. We shall, with our EU partners, also focus on the electoral process during forthcoming consultations with the Government of Zimbabwe, under Article 96 of the Cotonou agreement.

§ Tony Worthington
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the South African Government about the situation in Zimbabwe; and if he will make a statement. [16240]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
My noble Friend Baroness Amos discussed Zimbabwe with South African Ministers in October.