HC Deb 08 September 2003 vol 410 cc64-5W
Mr. Caton

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has held with African leaders about the appointment of President Robert Mugabe by the African Union as its ambassador for southern Africa. [127140]

Mr. Mullin

Robert Mugabe was not appointed by the African Union (AU) as an Ambassador for southern Africa at the recent AU Summit. Zimbabwe was appointed as one of the 14 regional vice-chairs, who together with the current AU Chairperson, President Chissano of Mozambique, form the Bureau of the AU Assembly when it meets in session.

The election of office-bearers, and the items included on the AU Summit agenda, are matters for the African Union.

Mr. Dhanda

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what discussions he has had and intends to have with(a) the United Nations, (b) the United States, (c) the African Union and (d) President Mbeki of South Africa regarding Mr. Robert Mugabe's appointment as the African Union's ambassador for southern Africa;[128184]

(2) what discussions he has had and intends to have with (a) the United Nations, (b) the United States, (c) the African Union and (d) President Mbeki of South Africa regarding the presence of Zimbabwe on the agenda of the African Union summit. [128193]

Mr. Mullin

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Gower (Martin Caton) today (UIN 127140).

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