§ Mr. SimmondsTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what applications(a) Mr. Robert Mugabe and (b) other Zimbabweans subject to the EU travel ban have made to visit Europe in the next three months; and if he will make a statement. [101780]
§ Mr. RammellWe are not aware of any such applications.
§ Mr. SimmondsTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the members of the Commonwealth troika on Zimbabwe; what assessment he has made of Zimbabwe's position in the Commonwealth following these discussions; and if he will make a statement. [101820]
§ Mr. RammellWe have a regular dialogue with Presidents Mbeki and Obasanjo and Prime Minister Howard about the situation in Zimbabwe. The political, economic and humanitarian situation has further deteriorated since Zimbabwe's suspension from the Commonwealth Councils on 18 March 2002. Zimbabwe has made no progress towards meeting the principles of good governance as set out in the Commonwealth's Harare declaration. On that basis, we see no justification for lifting its current suspension from the Commonwealth Councils.