Commonwealth ministers to discuss Zimbabwe

The Commonwealth ministerial action group was expected to air concerns over Zimbabwe on Tuesday - the last day of a two-day meeting in London. AFP reported on Monday that while Zimbabwe was not actually on the official agenda, it would be brought up by Britain.

The agency quoted an unnamed source saying that while a statement expressing concern about the situation in Zimbabwe was likely, it was unlikely that the group would decide to impose sanctions on Zimbabwe or to suspend it from the Commonwealth. Instead, it was more likely to agree to a British motion for a mission to be sent to Zimbabwe to report back on political and economic developments.

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer was quoted in the report as saying: "It is our view that this has reached a point now where the Commonwealth is required at least to think about what measures it can take. There are real concerns that this country, which we and others supported in its battle for independence, has had independence for many years and its law and order and democracy processes are starting to break down." Downer said the Commonwealth "needs to send a strong message about that."