§ The Earl of Caithnessasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether in Zimbabwe they think it essential that independent observers oversee the registration process before the presidential elections. [HL2051]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Amos)Independent observers should ideally be present during the entire electoral process if they are to be fully effective.
§ The Earl of Caithnessasked Her Majesty's Government:
What benefits have arisen from the Abuja agreement on Zimbabwe; what benefits they expect in the future; and whether, considering Zimbabwe's failure to honour commitments from it, it is now of any value. [HL2052]
§ Baroness AmosThe Abuja agreement set out a clear and objective framework for the Government of Zimbabwe to return to international respectability and to secure international support for just and sustainable land reform.
The UK Government and others went the extra mile at Abuja to reach agreement. The Abuja text sets out clear benchmarks on the rule of law, ending political violence and intimidation and promoting basic human rights. The Government of Zimbabwe's scant regard for their commitments have damaged Abuja's credibility. But the continued engagement of the UN development programme on land reform—a key element of Abuja—is important. We continue to support UNDP's efforts and to honour our Abuja commitments.
§ The Earl of Caithnessasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will recognise the result of the forthcoming presidential election in Zimbabwe if there are no international observers of the European Union's choice monitoring and evaluating the results. [HL2053]
§ Baroness AmosWe are currently discussing with EU partners and others what benchmarks we will use to judge the outcome of the forthcoming presidential election in Zimbabwe.
§ The Earl of Caithnessasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will acquiesce in President Mugabe's choosing the countries from which international observers for the presidential election in Zimbabwe will come. [HL2054]
98WA
§ Baroness AmosAs head of a sovereign state, President Mugabe is entitled to decide whom he invites to observe the election and when. But he will also be aware that international confidence in the process and outcome of the presidential election may depend on the early and effective deployment of a range of independent international election observers.
§ The Earl of Caithnessasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will publish the standards on which they will judge the forthcoming presidential elections in Zimbabwe. [HL2055]
§ Baroness AmosWe are currently discussing with EU and other partners what benchmarks the international community will use to judge the forthcoming presidential election in Zimbabwe. It is important that in due course these are widely recognised.
§ The Earl of Caithnessasked Her Majesty's Government:
When the European Union will follow the United States' lead on providing legislation for sanctions against Zimbabwe. [HL2056]
§ Baroness AmosThe United States Congress has recently passed the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act. This has not yet been signed into law by President Bush.
The European Union does not have an equivalent law-making body. Any similar measures by the EU would be a political decision for the Council of Ministers. The EU has already initiated formal consultations with Zimbabwe under Article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement. If there is no progress on EU concerns, "appropriate measures" may be taken.