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My Lords, I am sure that the whole House will agree with what the noble Lord has just said about Tsvangirai’s wife. Were not specific commitments made in the Memorandum of Understanding between political parties in Zimbabwe? Does not Mugabe’s party continue flagrantly to breach those commitments? Does not the memorandum also say that implementation of the global political agreement, ""shall be underwritten and guaranteed by the Facilitator, SADC and the AU"?"
Is not the facilitator Thabo Mbeki?
Is the Minister aware of any censure by the guarantors over those continuing breaches or, given the expectation by SADC members that the UK will provide funding for Zimbabwe, have we been given any indication by SADC and the African Union of measures that they intend to adopt to make good their guarantee?
My Lords, I am sure that the whole House will agree with what the noble Lord has just said about Tsvangirai’s wife. Were not specific commitments made in the Memorandum of Understanding between political parties in Zimbabwe? Does not Mugabe’s party continue flagrantly to breach those commitments? Does not the memorandum also say that implementation of the global political agreement, ""shall be underwritten and guaranteed by the Facilitator, SADC and the AU"?"
Is not the facilitator Thabo Mbeki?
Is the Minister aware of any censure by the guarantors over those continuing breaches or, given the expectation by SADC members that the UK will provide funding for Zimbabwe, have we been given any indication by SADC and the African Union of measures that they intend to adopt to make good their guarantee?
Asked by
Lord Blaker
(Conservative)
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
16 March 2009
My Lords, as I indicated in my original Answer, there are one or two developments that give some cause for optimism, but progress is very slow, as the noble Lord indicated. That is why the British Government are extremely guarded in our response to developments in Zimbabwe. The noble Lord is right that there is a role that Thabo Mbeki is to play in monitoring the development of and encouraging the restoration of those features which I have indicated in terms of the rule of law and the return to democracy. We wait and see. At this stage, it would be premature to reach judgments, but the noble Lord is right to raise the issue. We must be watchful of what are very limited developments in Zimbabwe at present.
Subjects
Politics and government; Zimbabwe
Date
16 March 2009
Reference
709 c4-5
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of recent developments in Zimbabwe.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of recent developments in Zimbabwe.
Asked by
Lord Blaker
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Davies of Oldham
(Labour)
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
For answer on
16 March 2009
Answered on
16 March 2009
My Lords, we are ready, with other donors, to support the new Government when we see demonstrable commitment to reform. Tendai Biti’s appointment as Minister of Finance is a positive development, and an IMF mission this month provides an opportunity for constructive dialogue. However, major concerns remain about commitment to democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law. Of course, our thoughts are with Morgan Tsvangirai after the tragic loss of his wife.
Subjects
Politics and government; Zimbabwe
Date
16 March 2009
Reference
709 c4
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, I thank the Minister for that reply. I am sure that the House shares with many in Zimbabwe the hope that today marks the opening of a happier chapter in the history of that country. Can the Minister assure us that the United Kingdom response will be that, as good friends of the people of Zimbabwe, we will seek to guard their future well-being by measuring the progress of the new Administration against the specific European Union benchmark set for Zimbabwe in 2006 in accordance with the Cotonou agreement before releasing aid for anything other than emergency humanitarian purposes?
My Lords, I thank the Minister for that reply. I am sure that the House shares with many in Zimbabwe the hope that today marks the opening of a happier chapter in the history of that country. Can the Minister assure us that the United Kingdom response will be that, as good friends of the people of Zimbabwe, we will seek to guard their future well-being by measuring the progress of the new Administration against the specific European Union benchmark set for Zimbabwe in 2006 in accordance with the Cotonou agreement before releasing aid for anything other than emergency humanitarian purposes?
Asked by
Lord Blaker
(Conservative)
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
11 February 2009
My Lords, the noble Lord is of course very knowledgeable about that country and its developments. I assure him, as he will have deduced from my initial reply, that the Government will cautiously analyse the progress of Zimbabwe towards more normal political operations and constitution. We recognise the challenges before the parties in this shared Administration, and of course we wish the people of Zimbabwe well and therefore want to see power-sharing work. However, the noble Lord will understand that at this stage the Government are in the position of monitoring rather than reaching any definitive conclusion.
Subjects
Politics and government; Zimbabwe; Foreign relations
Date
11 February 2009
Reference
707 c1116
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their policy towards Zimbabwe.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their policy towards Zimbabwe.
Asked by
Lord Blaker
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Davies of Oldham
(Labour)
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
For answer on
11 February 2009
Answered on
11 February 2009
My Lords, we are cautious about the workability of the recent power-sharing agreement, but this is the solution that has been agreed by the Zimbabwean parties. Our hope is that the parties can make it work. Our formal engagement, including the provision of donor support, will depend on the new Government’s ability to demonstrate, through their actions, a sustained commitment to reform.
Subjects
Foreign relations; Politics and government; Zimbabwe
Date
11 February 2009
Reference
707 c1116
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, next week there will be another meeting on Zimbabwe. Considering the damage that the crisis is doing to the region, there was a disgracefully low turnout of Heads of Government at their last Zimbabwe summit in November. Instead of urging Mugabe to halt violent intimidation and accept the will of the people, SADC has so far adopted the feeble line of pressing Tsvangirai to make further concessions. Should we not remind SADC that after the violent June presidential run-off its own observer mission declared that: "““The elections did not represent the will of the people of Zimbabwe””?"
My Lords, next week there will be another meeting on Zimbabwe. Considering the damage that the crisis is doing to the region, there was a disgracefully low turnout of Heads of Government at their last Zimbabwe summit in November. Instead of urging Mugabe to halt violent intimidation and accept the will of the people, SADC has so far adopted the feeble line of pressing Tsvangirai to make further concessions. Should we not remind SADC that after the violent June presidential run-off its own observer mission declared that: "““The elections did not represent the will of the people of Zimbabwe””?"
Asked by
Lord Blaker
(Conservative)
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
20 January 2009
My Lords, I think that the reason for the low SADC turnout was frustration among SADC leaders at the lack of progress. I believe that a number of leaders would entirely agree with the noble Lord’s last remark and share his frustration that there is no progress. Yesterday in Harare there was a long meeting between Morgan Tsvangirai and Robert Mugabe, but after 12 hours there was no progress because Mr Mugabe continues to refuse to make concessions.
Subjects
Politics and government; Zimbabwe; Southern African Development Community
Date
20 January 2009
Reference
706 c1552
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking towards a resolution of the situation in Zimbabwe.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking towards a resolution of the situation in Zimbabwe.
Asked by
Lord Blaker
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Malloch-Brown
(Labour)
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
For answer on
20 January 2009
Answered on
20 January 2009
My Lords, we are working with our international partners to encourage a resolution of the crisis. Mugabe’s regime continues to stand in the way of political progress. Its failed policies have devastated Zimbabwe’s economy and infrastructure. As a result, nearly 6 million people are in need of food aid and cholera has killed some thousands. Our immediate priority is to provide humanitarian assistance to alleviate the suffering of the Zimbabwean people—the innocent victims of these failed policies.
Subjects
Politics and government; Zimbabwe
Date
20 January 2009
Reference
706 c1551-2
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their current policy towards Zimbabwe.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their current policy towards Zimbabwe.
Asked by
Lord Blaker
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Malloch-Brown
(Labour)
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
Procedure
Topical questions (HL)
For answer on
10 December 2008
Answered on
10 December 2008
My Lords, our immediate priority is to alleviate the suffering of the Zimbabwean people. The UK has provided £47 million in aid this year, but humanitarian relief cannot provide a sustainable solution to Zimbabwe's problems. Only a stable and democratic political settlement can do that. We continue to press for this outcome, including through the EU and the UN, and we are working with the states in the region to that end.
Subjects
Politics and government; Zimbabwe
Date
10 December 2008
Reference
706 c378
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, is the Minister aware that Mugabe’s spokesman, George Charamba, very recently said: "““We won this country through the barrel of the gun and we will defend it the way we won it””?"
This challenges the course, which is favoured by President Kikwete of the African Union, that dialogue is a better way forward than force. Is the Minister aware that an increasing number of African leaders see that Mugabe must go? Raila Odinga, the Prime Minister of Kenya, said recently of Mugabe: "““It’s time for African governments … to push him out of power””."
My Lords, is the Minister aware that Mugabe’s spokesman, George Charamba, very recently said: "““We won this country through the barrel of the gun and we will defend it the way we won it””?"
This challenges the course, which is favoured by President Kikwete of the African Union, that dialogue is a better way forward than force. Is the Minister aware that an increasing number of African leaders see that Mugabe must go? Raila Odinga, the Prime Minister of Kenya, said recently of Mugabe: "““It’s time for African governments … to push him out of power””."
Asked by
Lord Blaker
(Conservative)
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
10 December 2008
My Lords, we welcome every such statement by African leaders. Africa has demanded that it should lead on this issue, and we should all expect them to lead and to take whatever steps are necessary to resolve a crisis in a country that is both a humanitarian catastrophe for the people of Zimbabwe as well as its neighbours and a terrible scar on the reputation of Africa in the world.
Subjects
Politics and government; Zimbabwe
Date
10 December 2008
Reference
706 c379
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that last week Donald Kaberuka, the president of the African Development Bank, said of the people negotiating for the future of Zimbabwe: "““We are keen that they reach a political agreement so that they can have a credible economic reform programme and credible people at the Reserve Bank””?"
Does the Minister detect from that a recognition from within SADC of the sweeping changes of personnel of all kinds that will be necessary from almost every international organisation?
My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that last week Donald Kaberuka, the president of the African Development Bank, said of the people negotiating for the future of Zimbabwe: "““We are keen that they reach a political agreement so that they can have a credible economic reform programme and credible people at the Reserve Bank””?"
Does the Minister detect from that a recognition from within SADC of the sweeping changes of personnel of all kinds that will be necessary from almost every international organisation?
Asked by
Lord Blaker
(Conservative)
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
3 November 2008
My Lords, I have had the opportunity to talk quite extensively with Donald Kaberuka, a remarkable individual who leads the African Development Bank. He is very well aware that ending the current situation of hyperinflation in Zimbabwe and restoring sensible economic policies require not just a new team but solid political will in government. At the moment, we are nowhere near achieving that.
Subjects
Economic situation; Politics and government; Zimbabwe; Southern African Development Community
Date
3 November 2008
Reference
705 c6-7
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
What recent discussions they have had with the member countries of the Southern African Development Community about the future of Zimbabwe.
What recent discussions they have had with the member countries of the Southern African Development Community about the future of Zimbabwe.
Asked by
Lord Blaker
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Malloch-Brown
(Labour)
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
For answer on
3 November 2008
Answered on
3 November 2008
We are in regular contact with states in the region both directly and via our high commissions and embassies. The political deadlock in Zimbabwe is a tragedy for the people who voted for change in March. We hope that the forthcoming SADC summit will help Zimbabwean political leaders reach the solution that is fair and reflects the outcome of the 29 March elections.
Subjects
Politics and government; Zimbabwe; Southern African Development Community
Date
3 November 2008
Reference
705 c6
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
What is their assessment of the allocation by Robert Mugabe of portfolios in the proposed Government of Zimbabwe.
What is their assessment of the allocation by Robert Mugabe of portfolios in the proposed Government of Zimbabwe.
Asked by
Lord Blaker
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Malloch-Brown
(Labour)
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
Procedure
Topical questions (HL)
For answer on
22 October 2008
Answered on
22 October 2008
My Lords, along with other EU states, we have condemned Robert Mugabe's unilateral allocation of ministerial portfolios. The allocation of portfolios needs to be agreed by all parties and reflect the will of the Zimbabwean people as expressed in the 29 March elections, which gave Morgan Tsvangirai and the MDC a clear majority.
Subjects
Politics and government; Zimbabwe; ZANU-PF; Movement for Democratic Change
Date
22 October 2008
Reference
704 c1127
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, noble Lords will agree that the proposed allocation is wrong, unfair and leading to deadlock. Is not Botswana, as a neighbour, one of the countries which has suffered most from Mugabe’s rule? Has not the President of Botswana recently suggested that there should be a rerun of the presidential election under international supervision? Might not this suggestion be of interest to other neighbouring countries such as the members of SADC and of the African Union?
My Lords, noble Lords will agree that the proposed allocation is wrong, unfair and leading to deadlock. Is not Botswana, as a neighbour, one of the countries which has suffered most from Mugabe’s rule? Has not the President of Botswana recently suggested that there should be a rerun of the presidential election under international supervision? Might not this suggestion be of interest to other neighbouring countries such as the members of SADC and of the African Union?
Asked by
Lord Blaker
(Conservative)
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
22 October 2008
My Lords, the noble Lord is right that the President of Botswana has several times made this suggestion. It is for the neighbours to determine first whether this is the way ahead. I remind the noble Lord that there was extraordinary violence during the second round and we do not want to recreate a circumstance where Mugabe and his butchers again start to slaughter the civilian volunteers of the MDC.
Subjects
Elections; Politics and government; Zimbabwe; ZANU-PF; Movement for Democratic Change
Date
22 October 2008
Reference
704 c1127
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, is the Minister aware that Kofi Annan has recently criticised the African Union for not confirming the MDC’s victory in the March election? He said: "““The African Union should have endorsed the results and said to Mugabe: you are not a legally elected president””."
What part is now being played by the chairman of the African Union Commission and the UN special envoy as members of the reference group in pressing for the urgent implementation of the power-sharing agreement?
My Lords, is the Minister aware that Kofi Annan has recently criticised the African Union for not confirming the MDC’s victory in the March election? He said: "““The African Union should have endorsed the results and said to Mugabe: you are not a legally elected president””."
What part is now being played by the chairman of the African Union Commission and the UN special envoy as members of the reference group in pressing for the urgent implementation of the power-sharing agreement?
Asked by
Lord Blaker
(Conservative)
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
8 October 2008
My Lords, I had the opportunity in New York two weeks ago to talk to the chairman of the African Union and the head of its executive along with the special envoy of the UN Secretary-General. All of them are watching this situation with concern. They believe that President Mbeki remains the SADC and AU mediator, but they are fully aware that time is elapsing and that there is still no agreement on the Cabinet, which will break the agreement if it is not resolved within weeks.
Subjects
Politics and government; United Nations; African Union; Zimbabwe; ZANU-PF; Movement for Democratic Change
Date
8 October 2008
Reference
704 c230
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
What is their current policy towards Zimbabwe.
What is their current policy towards Zimbabwe.
Asked by
Lord Blaker
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Malloch-Brown
(Labour)
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
For answer on
8 October 2008
Answered on
8 October 2008
My Lords, the Foreign Secretary’s Statement to the House of Commons on Monday made our position clear: Zimbabwe’s people want the agreement between the MDC and ZANU-PF that was signed on paper to work in practice. That needs a Cabinet to be appointed without further delay which reforms Zimbabwe’s economic management and the behaviour of its security forces. We continue to provide humanitarian relief to the Zimbabwean people. We remain ready to support recovery when a new Government show commitment to reform.
Subjects
Politics and government; Zimbabwe; ZANU-PF; Movement for Democratic Change
Date
8 October 2008
Reference
704 c229-30
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, if South Africa was to join in support of that resolution, would that not impose a travel ban on Robert Mugabe and 11 of his cronies? What would that mean in practical terms? Will it bring to an end the distasteful spectacle of Mugabe gallivanting around the world visiting UN conferences?
My Lords, if South Africa was to join in support of that resolution, would that not impose a travel ban on Robert Mugabe and 11 of his cronies? What would that mean in practical terms? Will it bring to an end the distasteful spectacle of Mugabe gallivanting around the world visiting UN conferences?
Asked by
Lord Blaker
(Conservative)
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
8 July 2008
My Lords, we will have to wait to see the final words of the resolution but our purpose is to make sure that Robert Mugabe and his henchmen can no longer leave Zimbabwe. The resolution also intends to make sure that their banking assets and properties, wherever they hold them in the world, are subject to seizure. The purpose of this resolution is to tighten a global noose around an illegitimate regime.
Subjects
Politics and government; Travel restrictions; UN resolutions; Sanctions; Zimbabwe
Date
8 July 2008
Reference
703 c630
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
What progress they have made at the United Nations on securing international action on the situation in Zimbabwe.
What progress they have made at the United Nations on securing international action on the situation in Zimbabwe.
Asked by
Lord Blaker
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Malloch-Brown
(Labour)
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
Procedure
Topical questions (HL)
For answer on
8 July 2008
Answered on
8 July 2008
My Lords, the UK strongly supports the draft UN Security Council resolution tabled by the United States which introduces targeted measures against the Zimbabwean regime. That is currently under discussion and will be a further powerful expression of the international community’s concern about the crisis in Zimbabwe, already expressed in the UN Security Council presidential statement of 23 June.
Subjects
Politics and government; UN resolutions; Sanctions; Zimbabwe
Date
8 July 2008
Reference
703 c630
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, there are so many threads in this picture that it is difficult to know which ones to pick up but I shall briefly mention three. The first is that support is flowing away from Mugabe. He has been criticised by Mandela, two archbishops, the Secretary-General of the Security Council, the G8, the EU, SADC observers, which is significant, and the African Union, which is also significant. Therefore, it is a case of Mugabe against the world. The second is the position of Mugabe’s military, which played a very big role in the terror over the past weeks in return for Mugabe giving up his idea of retiring. Finally—
My Lords, does the noble Lord agree that it is important that we should not play too big a role in this scene and that it is for the Africans to deal with?
My Lords, there are so many threads in this picture that it is difficult to know which ones to pick up but I shall briefly mention three. The first is that support is flowing away from Mugabe. He has been criticised by Mandela, two archbishops, the Secretary-General of the Security Council, the G8, the EU, SADC observers, which is significant, and the African Union, which is also significant. Therefore, it is a case of Mugabe against the world. The second is the position of Mugabe’s military, which played a very big role in the terror over the past weeks in return for Mugabe giving up his idea of retiring. Finally—
My Lords, does the noble Lord agree that it is important that we should not play too big a role in this scene and that it is for the Africans to deal with?
Asked by
Lord Blaker
(Conservative)
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
30 June 2008
My Lords, I agree with everything that the noble Lord said. We should not play too big a role, and it is important that the Security Council, the African Union and SADC work together on this. However, we do have a role and a strong view on this, and anything that we can do to help to resolve this outrageous position, we will do.
Subjects
Africa; Elections; Politics and government; Zimbabwe
Date
30 June 2008
Reference
703 c1-2
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
What is their assessment of the incoming Government of Zimbabwe.
What is their assessment of the incoming Government of Zimbabwe.
Asked by
Lord Blaker
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Bach
(Labour)
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
For answer on
30 June 2008
Answered on
30 June 2008
My Lords, it is clear to the world that the so-called election last Friday was a complete sham and that, as African observers have already said, it did not reflect the will of the people. It is not surprising that Morgan Tsvangirai and the MDC felt that they had to withdraw, given the horrendous levels of violence and intimidation. We will continue to press for a resolution that reflects the political choice of the people as they voted on 29 March.
Subjects
Elections; Politics and government; Zimbabwe
Date
30 June 2008
Reference
703 c1
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, is the noble Lord aware of the report that the Americans and the European Union are proposing to send a message to the United Nations calling on it to send representatives to Zimbabwe? Can he confirm that that is the case and whether the message has gone? If it has gone that is certainly a very good thing, bearing in mind that many countries and organisations with great knowledge of the task have been refused admission to Zimbabwe. Is it not important that those who send monitors to Zimbabwe should have them remain there after the forthcoming vote to prevent a repeat of what happened after the previous vote? They would need to spend a long time there after the forthcoming vote to prevent what is happening now.
My Lords, is the noble Lord aware of the report that the Americans and the European Union are proposing to send a message to the United Nations calling on it to send representatives to Zimbabwe? Can he confirm that that is the case and whether the message has gone? If it has gone that is certainly a very good thing, bearing in mind that many countries and organisations with great knowledge of the task have been refused admission to Zimbabwe. Is it not important that those who send monitors to Zimbabwe should have them remain there after the forthcoming vote to prevent a repeat of what happened after the previous vote? They would need to spend a long time there after the forthcoming vote to prevent what is happening now.
Asked by
Lord Blaker
(Conservative)
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
10 June 2008
My Lords, President Bush has called for observers, as have many European leaders. We are pressing the European Union to make the case again, as we have, to the UN and the UN Secretary-General, who has established a trust fund to support observers. Every step is being taken through the UN and the AU to get as many observers there as possible. Certainly, they should stay after the elections until the results are clear.
Subjects
Elections; Election observers; United Nations; Zimbabwe
Date
10 June 2008
Reference
702 c480-1
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
Whether they will propose at the United Nations the installation of impartial observers of the forthcoming election in Zimbabwe without delay.
Whether they will propose at the United Nations the installation of impartial observers of the forthcoming election in Zimbabwe without delay.
Asked by
Lord Blaker
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Malloch-Brown
(Labour)
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
Procedure
Topical questions (HL)
For answer on
10 June 2008
Answered on
10 June 2008
My Lords, we have already raised the need for an urgent deployment of international observers to Zimbabwe at the UN and with the UN Secretary-General. We note that some observers are beginning to deploy, but we continue to emphasise in our contacts with African and other international leaders that many more are needed and quickly.
Subjects
Elections; Election observers; United Nations; Zimbabwe
Date
10 June 2008
Reference
702 c480
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords