§ 22. Mr. JackTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to help ensure that elections in Zimbabwe will be fair. [30503]
§ Mr. MacShaneOn 28 January the EU decided to impose targeted sanctions on senior members of the Government of Zimbabwe if the election is assessed as not being free and fair. On 30 January the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) called on the Government of Zimbabwe to ensure that all parties in the election be allowed to campaign freely. It called for800W the immediate deployment of Commonwealth election observers and the Government's full co-operation in facilitating the operation of all international observers.
§ 23. Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the role the United States will play in finding a political solution in Zimbabwe. [30504]
§ Mr. MacShaneThe United States Government have expressed strong concern at the situation in Zimbabwe over a number of months. In addition, the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act invites the US Administration to consult and co-ordinate with international partners on action against Zimbabwe. The US Administration are yet to impose sanctions but are urgently considering their next steps.
§ 27. Mr. SimmondsTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the EU concerning imposing smart sanctions upon Zimbabwe. [30508]
§ Mr. MacShaneOn 28 January EU Ministers agreed to impose targeted sanctions on senior Members of the Government of Zimbabwe if
they prevent the deployment of an EU observation mission starting by 3 February 2002, or if they prevent the mission from operating effectively;they prevent the international media from having free access to cover the election;there is a serious deterioration on the ground, in terms of a worsening of the human right situation or attacks on the opposition;the election is assessed as not being free and fair.