UK backs Mbeki on handling Zimbabwe

Johannesburg – South Africa and Britain have agreed in principle on the desired outcome of the Zimbabwean crisis, and differ only in tactics, says Britain’s Minister for Africa Chris Mullin.

Both wanted to see a democratically elected government in Zimbabwe and a free press, the politician said yesterday.

He also said that President Thabo Mbeki should not be blamed for the situation in Zimbabwe as he had “done his best” dealing with “difficult customers” in Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and his government.

Britain was a proponent of democracy in all countries, not just Zimbabwe, and his government was also watching countries like Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Britain’s interest in Zimbabwe stemmed from its historic ties, but also because it was a country that was once a breadbasket and had been reduced to “penury”.

Mr Mullin expressed concern at the number of Zimbabwean refugees in South Africa and other neighbouring countries.

On the Zimbabwean government’s intention to force the world food programme to withdraw assistance, he said food should never be used as a political weapon.

Zimbabwe said earlier this month that it would not be asking for international food aid because it predicted a harvest of 2,4 million tons of maize.

Turning to Africa on the international stage, Mr Mullin said Britain would chair the G8 summit as well as the European Community next year and intended to put Africa high on the agenda. Attention would be given to fairer terms of trade, HIV/Aids and debt relief.

Asked about the request for the extradition of two men from Britain to Equatorial Guinea for their alleged part in a coup, Mr Mullin said a process would have to be followed and described it as legal rather than political. – Sapa

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