HC Deb 21 January 2002 vol 378 cc579-80W
Mr. Menzies Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Zambia regarding alleged discrepancies in the electoral process in the recent elections in that country; and if he will make a statement. [26091]

Mr. Straw

The UK has not yet made any representations to the Government of Zambia about alleged discrepancies in the electoral process during the recent elections there. We await the final report of the EU Electoral Observer Mission, which we understand will be issued shortly, and will examine its findings carefully with our EU partners.

Mr. Menzies Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he has taken in response to the recent report of the EU Observer Mission highlighting alleged shortcomings in the electoral process in the recent tripartite elections in Zambia; and if he will make a statement. [26092]

Mr. Straw

We are aware of reports of irregularities in the administration of the recent Zambian elections. The EU Electoral Observer Mission is working with domestic observer groups to examine these reports and will issue a joint final statement as soon as possible.

Mr. Wyatt

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what lessons he has drawn from the report of EU observers into the recent Zambian presidential and general elections. [28945]

Mr. Bradshaw

The final report of the EU Electoral Observer Mission on the recent Zambian elections has not yet been issued. The EU team is working with domestic observer groups, and we understand that a joint final report will be issued shortly. We shall examine its findings carefully with our EU partners.

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