EU not prepared to lift Zimbabwe sanctions ahead of key visit

(CAPE TOWN) - The European Union dug in its heels on lifting sanctions against Zimbabwe Thursday as South Africa insisted that penalties needed to be dropped.

"I want to be clear: the EU is not prepared (for) lifting the restrictions we have on Zimbabwe," said Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt whose country currently holds the rotating EU presidency.

"It is not the restrictions that are creating problems in Zimbabwe, it is the mismanagement... not respecting of human rights," he said in response to a question at a public address in Johannesburg.

A call by the Southern African Development Community for sanctions to be dropped against Zimbabwe, a diplomatic triumph for the 85-year-old President Robert Mugabe, dominated Reinfeldt's first state visit to South Africa.

President Jacob Zuma stressed the need to persuade the European bloc and other western nations to lift targeted sanctions such as a travel ban and asset freeze on Mugabe, his wife and inner circle in protest against alleged human rights abuses.

"We are saying both of us understand where SADC comes from and where the EU comes from. But we are saying precisely because of that we need to engage so we can try and persuade the EU to lift sanctions," said Zuma.

"Let us engage our colleagues in Europe, to urge them, they would not do it if they did not hear what is our motivation," said Zuma.

Zuma said the call by SADC was aimed at ensuring the success of a unity government formed in Zimbabwe in February.

The inclusive government has acted to steer the country back to stability and restore the hyperinflation-ravaged economy and basic services that collapsed under Mugabe's three decades of rule.

But the government has been plagued by power struggles over key posts and claims of continued persecution of Tsvangirai's supporters, with Western states so far proving reluctant to give direct aid without proof of more reforms.

"Part of what has to happen is that a way should be opened for that agreement to work and one of them is the sanctions," Zuma said of the unity deal between Mugabe and his former rival Morgan Tsvangirai.

"Once you have got sanctions there are things you cannot do in Zimbabwe, but if the sanctions are not there you give more scope for that agreement to be implemented. That is the point we are making."

Reinfeldt said his delegation was "here to listen" and a high-level delegation will leave for Zimbabwe after a EU-South Africa summit Friday to work on normalising ties, the first such visit since sanctions were imposed in 2002.

The EU visit follows the first official talks in seven years, held three months ago, with Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai who joined Mugabe in a unity pact nearly a year after chaotic polls pushed Zimbabwe deeper into crisis.

"I think it is important for the EU... to get it from the horses mouth... so the EU could weigh its decision in relation to the decision what to do next in Zimbabwe," said Zuma.

President Robert Mugabe has blamed the restrictions targeting him and his allies for his country's woes however Zuma said Zimbabwe's problems existed before the sanctions.

"I don't think sanctions started the problems in the economy I think it was the Zimbabweans who undermined their own system. That got the economy in trouble."

Swedish International Development Cooperation Minister Gunilla Carlsson and EU Aid Commissioner Karel De Gucht will meet Mugabe and Tsvangirai, as well as other ministers, officials and representatives of non-governmental organisations.

"This is a critical time for Zimbabwe and the weight of responsibility falls squarely on the country's leaders to deliver urgent political, economic and social progress for the benefit of all the people of Zimbabwe," said de Gucht.

"There is an urgent need for all parties to fulfil their obligations," he said in a statement.

EU Troika Visit to Zimbabwe