Mugabe the problem guest
Jan 29 2003 11:20:33:937AM
Portugal says it is in favour of putting off a European Union-Africa summit, because of the debate about whether or not Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe should be allowed to attend.
Lisbon - Portugal says it is in favour of putting off a European Union-Africa summit, which it is set to host in April, because of the debate about whether or not Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe should be allowed to attend.
Portuguese foreign mnister Antonio Martins da Cruz told journalists at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels he had "the clearest signs" that if Mugabe came to the Lisbon summit several European leaders would stay away, reported the Lusa news agency.
At the same time, many African heads of state had indicated they would boycott the summit if the Zimbabwean president did not attend, he added.
As a result, Da Cruz said he backed the postponement of the summit for "the time necessary" to await conditions that would be more likely to lead to a successful event.
"It doesn't make sense to hurt dialogue with Africa," he said.
The 15-member EU imposed a visa ban on the Zimbabwean leadership last February when violence flared in the run-up to a presidential poll widely condemned as rigged.
Chirac invites Mugabe to France
In theory, the sanctions should be renewed on February 18, maintaining a travel ban on Mugabe and about 70 other senior Zimbabwean officials.
But, French President Jacques Chirac clouded the matter by extending an invitation to Mugabe last week, arguing that his presence at the February 20-21 Franco-Africa summit would help promote democracy, justice and human rights in Zimbabwe.
Britain, Denmark, the Netherlands and Spain reportedly said they would not attend the Lisbon summit if Mugabe was allowed to attend.
But several African states, including Nigeria and Sudan, have rallied behind the Mugabe regime, and threatened to boycott the EU-Africa summit unless Mugabe is there, too.
Talks at the EU-Africa summit, which has been tentatively set for April 4 and 5, are expected to focus on ways to boost trade between the two regions, the fight against poverty and Aids, as well as debt relief.
The gathering is intended to be a follow-up to the first summit of EU and African countries held in Cairo in 2000, which hosted leaders from 67 nations. The EU is Africa's biggest foreign-aid donor. - Sapa-AFP
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