Tough EU Action Against Zimbabwe
February 19, 2002
The first of 26 European Union observers are expected to leave Zimbabwe on Tuesday. The EU a day earlier agreed to withdraw its team of monitors sent to scrutinize Zimbabwe's presidential election next month after Harare expelled the head of the observers' mission Pierre Schori on Saturday.
Schori, a Swedish diplomat ordered to leave after being accused of "political arrogance", said he had recommended sanctions because law and order was unravelling in the country. "Overall, there are no grounds for an effective or credible EU observer mission," he said.
The 15-nation bloc also decided to impose numerous sanctions on President Robert Mugabe and his top 19 officials, including a freeze on their assets in the EU.
In addition, the measures involve a travel ban to EU countries "on persons who engage in serious violations of human rights and of the freedom of opinion, of association and of peaceful assembly in Zimbabwe", the EU Council said.
Furthermore, the sanctions include an embargo on the supply of arms and technical advice, as well as equipment which could be used for internal repression in Zimbabwe.
EU accused of "economic terrorism"
Zimbabwe reacted defiantly to the EU actions, saying it amounted to "organized economic terrorism" meant to remove a government defending its national interests.
Political analysts said the sanctions would affect some of Mugabe's officials who are believed to have considerable investments in Europe, although they have denied such holdings. However, since the sanctions had been threatened for a long time, many might already have moved their wealth.
Mugabe faces the biggest election challenge to his 22 years in power from opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai in the March 9-10 presidential election.
South Africa regrets EU action
Zimbabwe's powerful neighbor South Africa said the EU sanctions were "unfortunate and regrettable". Pretoria said it will be sending in more officials to join African observers already in Zimbabwe.
South African Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Aziz Pahad said his government would also be intervening on behalf of South African journalists, many of whom have been denied accreditation to cover the election.