Sanctions to go — European Union

Tawanda Mangoma in Chiredzi
THE European Union (EU) has commended the prevailing peaceful atmosphere saying if it continues, it could scrap its illegal economic sanctions in November with personal restrictive measures on top Zanu-PF officials going in February next year.Addressing journalists on the sidelines of a handover ceremony of equipment donated by the EU and its implementing partner Canelands Trust yesterday to Chiredzi General Hospital, EU Ambassador to Zimbabwe Aldo Dell’Ariccia said the bloc is keen to remove the illegal sanctions it imposed on Zimbabwe.

He said many positive messages from President Mugabe and the government’s decision to realign a number of laws makes the need for the bloc to rethink its position imperative.

Ambassador Dell’Ariccia said they are closely “monitoring” Zimbabwe’s observance of human rights and are impressed by the prevailing circumstances.

“We are waiting for November for the decision of the council and the decisions will depend on the evolution of the situation in Zimbabwe. For the moment we are receiving many positive messages, the declaration by President Mugabe and the declaration from Minister Chinamasa about indigenisation are very encouraging but all this has to be translated into complete acts.

“The complete acts would mean Cabinet decisions and gazzeting the translation of these intentions into reality. All this is very positive, the alignment of national legislation on the new constitution which is a very good constitution is also very important. It’s work in progress from the side of the government and we are observing in order to inform the decision makers,” said Ambassador Dell’Ariccia.

He said the measures that hindered economic cooperation between Zimbabwe and the EU will be scrapped in November.

“The measures that referred to cooperation will be lifted in November if there are no major incidents of human rights abuse and the disruption of the rule of law and we hope that this will not happen. And if this doesn’t happen in November we are ready to take an important step by lifting the measures that referred to cooperation,” he said.

Travel bans and other targeted measures that were imposed on top Zanu-PF officials, he said, will be considered for removal in February next year.

Chiredzi West MP Cde Darlington Chiwa, while delivering his vote of thanks said the bloc must remove the illegal sanctions as they are not affecting top government officials but the generality of Zimbabweans.

“It is sad that the European Community thinks the so-called restrictive measures and sanctions are affecting targeted government officials but the reality on the ground is the generality of Zimbabweans are suffering because of these measures. They must be removed as soon as yesterday,” said Cde Chiwa.