MDC PRESS
For Immediate Release - 22 July 2002
MDC Welcomes EU Decision To Extend Targeted Sanctions
The MDC welcomes today's decision by the EU General Affairs Council to significantly extend targeted sanctions against Zimbabwe to include an additional 52 individuals closely associated with the illegitimate Mugabe regime.
"Today's decision underlines that the eyes of the international community are still firmly fixed on Mugabe and his illegitimate regime. If Mugabe and his cohorts believed that it was 'business as usual' after the fraudulent outcome of the presidential election, then today's decision will provide them with the stark reminder that their violent and corrupt agenda is being documented and reacted to by the wider international community. Mugabe cannot hide, the world is fully aware of his draconian policy agenda, which has at its heart the violent subjugation of his own people", said MDC Shadow Foreign Minister, Tendai Biti, in response to the EU decision.
Biti added that the EU must not hesitate to introduce additional punitive measures if the situation in Zimbabwe continues to deteriorate, "The targeted sanctions list must continue to be expanded if the illegitimate Mugabe regime fails to take steps to end the political violence in Zimbabwe and fails to take steps to restore the rule of law and pave the way for the introduction of a democratically elected government."
"Today's decision should act as a warning to all powerful and influential figures linked to Mugabe that they are not immune from international censure and that they too will face similar punitive measures if they continue to play an integral part in sustaining a regime which no longer rules according to the will of the people".
Biti also appealed to the EU to significantly increase the amount of humanitarian aid being sent to southern Africa: "The threat of mass famine is no longer a vague possibility but a reality, in countries like Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia hundreds of thousands are now facing starvation. In Zimbabwe, where we have traditionally been a mass exporter of food, we now find ourselves in the most ridiculous situation whereby the ruling authorities have forbidden our commercial farmers from planting or farming their crops. This has simply exacerbated the food supply problems caused by the drought and mercilessly put thousands of lives at risk in order to achieve a political objective".
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For Further Information, Please Contact:
Nkanyiso Maqueda, MDC Information Manager - 00 263 91 248 570
Brussels, Grace Kwinjeh - 0032 494 181621
London, James Littleton - 0044 7771 501 401
Notes to Editors
At a GAC meeting held on 19 February 2002, the Council concluded that the principles enshrined in article 9 of the Cotonou Agreement had not been respected despite all efforts made by the EU through Article 8 dialogue and later, Article 96 consultations. Consequently the Council decided to close Article 96 consultations and implement targeted sanctions. The targeted sanctions included an arms embargo as well as the imposition of travel bans and the freezing of assets of 20 senior figures in the Zimbabwe Government, including Robert Mugabe.
Over 160 people, mostly opposition supporters have died as a result of political violence over the past two years.
The Mugabe regime has carried out a violent campaign against its opponents since being defeated in the February 2000 referendum on a new constitution.
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