NEWS RELEASES

September 7, 2001 (7:50 p.m. EDT) No. 128

CANADA WELCOMES COMMONWEALTH AGREEMENT

ON SITUATION IN ZIMBABWE

John Manley, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and David Kilgour, Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa), today welcomed the recent commitments taken by the Government of Zimbabwe and participating Commonwealth governments to resolve long-standing issues of concern. Mr. Kilgour led the Canadian delegation to the first meeting of the Committee of Commonwealth Foreign Ministers on Zimbabwe, held yesterday, in Abuja, Nigeria.

"I am encouraged by the Government of Zimbabwe's decision to take firm action against violence and intimidation, and to uphold the democratic principles of the Harare Declaration and the Millbrook Action Programme," stated Mr. Manley. "I urge all parties involved to further this dialogue and continue to engage Zimbabwe in order to realize these important commitments. Furthermore, Canada would strongly support the deployment of Commonwealth election observers to Zimbabwe in the run-up to and holding of the 2002 presidential elections."

Under the agreement, the Government of Zimbabwe pledged that there would be no further occupations of farm lands and accepted that this issue could not be separated from other issues of concern to the Commonwealth, such as the rule of law, respect for human rights, democracy and the economy.

Mr. Kilgour further stated, "The Abuja meeting, organized by the Government of Nigeria, provided an important opportunity to advance the dialogue with Zimbabwe. The meeting operated under what has come to be accepted as the typical Commonwealth approach of frankness and honesty. This approach enabled the Government of Zimbabwe and its partners to reach an agreement on the land resettlement issue and openly discuss the political, economic and social conditions within the country."

On September 3, Minister Manley attended a Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group meeting, where Zimbabwe was discussed. Mr. Kilgour attended the Abuja meeting together with ministers from Australia, Jamaica, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, the United Kingdom and Zimbabwe.

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The conclusions of the meeting are attached.

For further information, media representatives may contact:

Jennifer Sloan

Director of Communications

Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs

(613) 995-1851

Jacqueline O'Neill

Office of the Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa)

(613) 944-2162

Media Relations Office

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

(613) 995-1874

CONCLUSIONS OF THE MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE OF COMMONWEALTH FOREIGN MINISTERS ON ZIMBABWE

ABUJA, NIGERIA, THURSDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2001

1. The Meeting of the Committee of Commonwealth Foreign Ministers on Zimbabwe met in Abuja on 6 September 2001 at the invitation of HE Olusegun Obasanjo, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Ministers from Canada, Jamaica, Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom, as well as the High Commissioner for Australia to the United Kingdom, representing the Australian Foreign Minister, and the Commonwealth Secretary-General attended. The Nigerian Foreign Minister, Sule Lamido, chaired the meeting.

2. The meeting recognised that as a result of historical injustices, the current land ownership and distribution needed to be rectified in a transparent and equitable manner. It also agreed on the following:

(a) Land is at the core of the crisis in Zimbabwe and cannot be separated from other issues of concern to the Commonwealth, such as the rule of law, respect for human rights, democracy and the economy. A program of land reform is, therefore, crucial to the resolution of the problem;

(b) Such a program of land reform must be implemented in a fair, just and sustainable manner, in the interest of all the people of Zimbabwe, within the law and constitution of Zimbabwe;

(c) The crisis in Zimbabwe also has political and rule of law implications, which must be addressed holistically and concurrently. The situation in Zimbabwe poses a threat to the socio-economic stability of the entire sub-region and the continent at large;

(d) The need to avoid a division within the Commonwealth, especially at the forthcoming CHOGM in Brisbane, Australia, over the situation in Zimbabwe; and

(e) The orderly implementation of the land reform can only be meaningful and sustainable, if carried out with due regard to human rights, rule of law, transparency and democratic principles. The commitment of the Government of Zimbabwe is, therefore, crucial to this process.

THE WAY FORWARD

3. The Committee recognises the need for the adoption of confidence-building measures to ensure the implementation of the conclusions of the meeting. In this regard the meeting welcomed the assurances given by the Zimbabwe delegation as follows:

(i) Commitment to the Harare Commonwealth Declaration and the Millbrook Commonwealth Action Programme on the Harare Declaration;

(ii) There will be no further occupation of farm lands;

(iii) To speed up the process by which farms that do not meet set criteria, are de-listed;

(iv) For farms that are not designated, occupiers would be moved to legally acquired lands;

(v) Acceleration of discussions with the UNDP, with a view to reaching agreement as quickly as possible;

(vi) Commitment to restore the rule of law to the process of land reform programme;

(vii) Commitment to freedom of expression as guaranteed by the Constitution of Zimbabwe and to take firm action against violence and intimidation; and

(viii) Invitation by the Foreign Minister to the Committee to visit Zimbabwe.

4. The meeting agreed, in the overall context of the statement, that the way forward is for Zimbabwe's international partners:

(a) to engage constructively with the UNDP and the Government of Zimbabwe in pursuing an effective and sustainable land reform programme, on the basis of the UNDP proposals of December 2000;

(b) to respond positively to any request from the Government of Zimbabwe in support of the electoral process; and

(c) to continue to contribute to poverty reduction programmes for the benefit of the people of Zimbabwe, and that those partners present (Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom) would actively pursue these objectives.

5. The meeting also welcomed the re-affirmation of the United Kingdom's commitment to a significant financial contribution to such a land reform programme and its undertaking to encourage other international donors to do the same.

APPRECIATION

6. The meeting expressed its profound gratitude and appreciation to President Olusegun Obasanjo for his continuing efforts at finding a durable solution to this problem. It also expressed gratitude to the Chairman, Foreign Minister Sule Lamido, for the excellent manner in which he conducted the proceedings. Lastly, it expressed gratitude to the Government and people of Nigeria for the hospitality and the conducive atmosphere provided for the meeting. The spirit of camaraderie, informality, honesty and forthrightness that was brought to bear on the proceedings of the meeting was also recognised as being consistent with the best Commonwealth tradition.

7. Finally, the Committee agreed to convey to President Obasanjo its willingness to hold further consultations, if he so desires.