UN cancels envoy's visit over concern at land crisis

The United Nations, citing concern at the Zimbabwe government's decision to requisition 804 commercial farms, has postponed a visit by UNDP Administrator Mark Malloch-Brown.

The decision, announced on Friday by a spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan, said Annan regretted the announcement by the government of Zimbabwe that it intended to acquire the farms compulsorily.

The spokesman said Annan felt Zimbabwe's decision "undermines the ability of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to build international support, including resources, for a legally-based solution to the land crisis, including compensation, based on the principles of the 1998 land
reform conference".

Independence war veterans and supporters of President Robert Mugabe's ruling ZANU-PF party have occupied more than 1,000 white owned farms. In rural violence in the run-up to the 24-25 June parliamentary elections, more than 28 people have been killed. The majority of victims have been mainly supporters of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and farm
employees.

"The Secretary-General remains convinced, however, that the issue of land acquisition, redistribution and resettlement will not be resolved without good faith efforts by all parties to achieve a mutually agreed way forward," the spokesman said. "Achieving a just and equitable solution is critical for
the economic prosperity and stability of Zimbabwe and the region."

Through UNDP, he said, Annan would continue his efforts for a solution. He also said Annan wished to thank several governments and Southern African leaders, particularly President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, who had supported the UN in these efforts. Two weeks ago, Annan had asked UNDP to consider facilitating a programme to set back on track the land reform process that had been agreed upon in 1998 by the government of Zimbabwe.

Diplomats told IRIN on Monday that Mbeki's diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis with funding from donor nations through UNDP had been derailed by the Zimbabwe government's move. Malloch-Brown, they said had been expected to discuss the South African initiative in a bid to help end the crisis.

The UN's decision was immediately denounced by Jonathan Moyo, a ZANU-PF strategist as "misguided and unfortunate".

"The donors have a hidden agenda as far as their commitment to land reforms is concerned," Moyo said. "The influence of Britain is clear. We believe they (the British) are trying to use the UN by undermining public opinion regarding the economy and the land issue."