Zimbabwean leader is set to score a diplomatic coup over the West
Monday, February 17, 2003
world.scmp.com
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE in Harare
Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe is expected to score a diplomatic victory against many Western nations when he visits France this week, two days after the renewal of European Union sanctions against him.
The trip comes as two of Africa's most influential nations, Nigeria and South Africa, have thrown their weight behind Mr Mugabe, recommending the lifting of Zimbabwe's suspension from the Commonwealth political council.
Although officials would not confirm at the weekend that Mr Mugabe is travelling to Paris, the long-time leader looks set to attend a Franco-African summit on Thursday and Friday.
Senior foreign affairs official Willard Chiwewe last month indicated that the invitation to the summit had been accepted.
EU ambassadors have agreed to renew sanctions against Zimbabwe, including a ban on the country's leadership travelling to EU states, for another 12 months beyond the expiry of the first set of sanctions tomorrow.
But the envoys also agreed on a waiver for Mr Mugabe to attend the summit in Paris, after French President Jacques Chirac sought an exemption, citing the need for face-to-face dialogue.
The invitation has infuriated Britain, the United States and several European countries.
Britain's Europe minister, Denis MacShane, said: "It would be a shame for it [the Franco-African summit] to be dominated by the presence of Mugabe and his small clan of thieves."
Zimbabwe's main opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has described France's invitation to Mr Mugabe as a tragedy which "amounts to a recognition and support of Mugabe's gruesome record at home".
The US said the invitation was "regrettable".
France has justified its Zimbabwe stance by arguing that Mr Mugabe's presence would help promote democracy, the rule of law and human rights in his troubled southern African country.
Under the EU sanctions, Mr Mugabe, his wife Grace, and 70 leading government or ruling party officials are not authorised to enter EU territory. Last year, however, Mr Mugabe was allowed to attend a UN food summit in Rome.
The sanctions also include a freeze on assets held in the EU by Zimbabwe's leaders.
The controversial trip is certain to be a boost for the country's battered image. It also coincides with Mr Mugabe's birthday. He turns 79 on Friday.
Mr Mugabe, whose country is reeling under acute shortages of basics, a devastating famine, chaotic land reforms, hyperinflation of over 208 per cent and unemployment levels of around 70 per cent, has been a thorn in the flesh for many Western nations.
But the support Mr Mugabe receives from some African countries is frustrating the plans of the European Union, which has postponed an April 5 EU-Africa summit in Lisbon after failing to secure guarantees that Mr Mugabe would not attend.
EU member states such as Britain threatened to boycott the Lisbon summit if Mr Mugabe were present. Some African countries threatened, in turn, to stay away if the Zimbabwean president was not invited. |
