§ Mrs. SpelmanTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with the French Government regarding the renewal of the EU travel ban on(a) Robert Mugabe and (b) other Zimbabwean Government officials. [93971]
§ Clare Short[holding answer 29 January 2003]: I have not discussed the renewal of the EU travel ban with the French Government. The Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary has had regular discussions with his French and other counterparts on this issue, including at the General Affairs and External Relations Council in Brussels on 27 January. I have discussed the urgent humanitarian needs in Zimbabwe with the French and other Development Ministers, and reiterated the importance for the Zimbabwean people, especially the poor, of reversing the disastrous policies of the present Zimbabwean government.
§ Mrs. SpelmanTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what discussions she has had with the Foreign Office regarding the renewal of the EU travel ban on(a) Robert Mugabe and (b) other Zimbabwean Government officials; [93972]
(2) what discussions she has had with the Foreign Office regarding the attendance of President Mugabe at a Franco-African Summit in February. [93970]
§ Clare Short[holding answer 29 January 2003]: The Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary and I have not discussed the renewal of the EU travel ban on Robert Mugabe and other Zimbabwean Government officials nor the Franco-African Summit. We have regular and extensive discussions on the urgent humanitarian needs in Zimbabwe and the importance for the Zimbabwean people, especially the poor, of reversing the disastrous policies of the present Zimbabwean government.