EU decision on sanctions imminent

The European Union (EU) is expected to make a formal decision next week on whether to keep or lift the sanctions that were imposed on Zimbabwe last year. The targeted sanctions, which were imposed in the midst of controversial presidential elections and allegations of human rights abuses by the government, placed travel restrictions and an asset freeze on cabinet ministers and certain ZANU-PF officials. They are currently due for review but although they have in principle been extended for a year, the matter is still subject to formal agreement. The EU Council of Ministers met on Friday to discuss the issue and another meeting next week would formalise whatever decision they make. However, part of the deal reportedly allows President Robert Mugabe to travel to France for a Franco-African summit in Paris in April. Critics have previously questioned the effectiveness of the EU sanctions when ruling party officials have been allowed to travel to several summits and conferences in Europe in the past year. Reacting to the news that Mugabe might be allowed to travel to Paris, Opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) spokesman Paul Themba Nyathi said this would be a "betrayal" of the Zimbabwean people. "This doesn't reduce the inflation rate, [which is 208 percent], it does not provide fuel to motorists who don't have any. The focus of the international community will be on Mugabe going to [the EU], not what he is leaving behind," Nyathi told IRIN. "Not allowing Mugabe to travel there would have made ZANU-PF realise that the party is not sustainable under those conditions and would have given them more courage to do something within their own party." In potentially another diplomatic victory for Mugabe, Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and South African President Thabo Mbeki have decided against holding a meeting to review Zimbabwe's suspension from the Commonwealth, and have advocated the country's return to the 54-country group. Zimbabwe's Herald newspaper reported that a letter from Obasanjo to troika member Australian President John Howard, said: "I believe that the time is now auspicious to lift the sanctions on Zimbabwe with regard to her suspension from the Commonwealth Councils." The Herald said that Mbeki and Obasanjo had decided to cancel the troika meeting scheduled for 19 March, the end of the one year suspension period, because of the alleged progress made by Zimbabwe in addressing the issues that led to its isolation. In terms of Commonwealth procedure, agreement between Obasanjo and Mbeki could overrule Howard's opinion. However, Commonwealth spokesman Joel Kibazo told IRIN the three still had until 19 March to make a final decision. Commonwealth secretary-general Don McKinnon has said that a report on the situation in Zimbabwe will be released before that date.