Tsvangirai Supports EU Sanctions Stance

The European Union on Monday announced its decision to extend sanctions on the remaining 112 Zanu (PF) officials including President Robert Mugabe and firms associated with his party until a violent free referendum has been held.

EU however said it was encouraged by certain developments happening in the coalition government but complained that areas of concern had not been reached.

In a statement Tuesday Tsvangirai said:“I welcome the EU announcement made in Brussels…to suspend restrictive measures on Zimbabwe. My preference remains for a full lifting of the measures in keeping with the agreement between the GPA parties in Zimbabwe and resolutions of SADC. However, linking a suspension to the successful conclusion of the Constitution referendum is evidence that the EU is willing to respond to progress in reform of the democratic process in Zimbabwe.”

EU placed Zanu (PF) senior officials on sanctions in 2002 on allegations of vote rigging and human rights violations after the Mugabe administration had embarked on a violent land grab. But Mugabe justified the land grab to the redistribution of land to the landless Zimbabweans.