E-MAIL THIS LINK
To: 

EU / African summit delayed
The European Union is putting off a fully fledged summit with African countries because it cannot find a way of excluding the Zimbabwean leader, Robert Mugabe.
I wouldn't have a problem with this. "Yo, Bob, yer history. Get the f--- outta here!" Then again, I've never been trained as a diplomat.
EU ambassadors meeting in Brussels yesterday decided that the Lisbon summit, originally scheduled for April 5, would have to be postponed indefinitely.
In some circles, I guess, this is bad.
"In the present circumstances it would not be possible to achieve the broadest participation at the highest-level by both sides," a statement said. "It would therefore be in the best interests of EU-African relations to postpone the summit." The decision coincided with the long-delayed renewal of EU sanctions against the Mugabe regime, targeted because of democratic and human rights abuses, the seizure of white farms and a crackdown on the media. The punitive measures were rolled over only after weeks of embarrassing public disarray in Europe.
Were the French embarrassed? I don't think so.
The price was reluctant caving-in acquiescence in a controversial visit by the Zimbabwean president to a Franco-African summit in Paris next week. President Jacques Chirac had insisted that the invitation was justified because of the need for plotting dialogue with Mr Mugabe. But his many critics, including a furious Tony Blair, said he was making a mockery of EU attempts to forge a common foreign policy.
Let's see now, what's that old saying about the enemy of my enemy is my friend? Hmmm, France and the Brits aren't getting along, and Bob hates the Brits, so ...
France made clear, however, that it would block the renewal of the sanctions if it did not get its way.
Rotten unilateralists.
The measures include a visa ban on Mr Mugabe, and some 70 of his ministers and senior aides, a freeze on their financial assets, and an arms embargo.
"No shopping spree on Fleet Street for you, Bob!"
Greece, holder of the EU's rotating ineffectual presidency, made a pointless last-ditch effort to salvage the Lisbon summit by seeking a guarantee that Mr Mugabe would stay away. But with several African countries, led by South Africa and Nigeria calling for an end to Commonwealth sanctions against Zimbabwe, this was always a fairly slim prospect. Several EU member states, led by Britain, had threatened to boycott the Lisbon meeting if the Zimbabwean leader attended. But African states made clear they would refuse to attend if Mr Mugabe was not invited.
I'm guessing this is the standoff that led to postponement of the conference.
Diplomats said that EU was anxious to maintain dialogue with its African partners but insisted it was up to them to ensure that the Zimbabwean president did not attend.
"We don't want the responsibility. You take responsibility!"
Issues such as African economic reform, governance and debt relief can also be handled in the forum of the G8 group of the world's leading industrial countries. Mr Mugabe's visit to Paris next week has been roundly condemned in advance, especially as he will be accompanied by his wife Grace, who is reportedly keen to spend lavishly in the city's finest shops while seven million people face starvation at home.
What's Bob's cut on the black market grain sales in Harare?
Peter Tatchell, the gay activist, has pledged to try to have the Zimbabwean leader arrested on charges of torture under a UN convention which forms part of French law. "If Slobodan Milosevic can be put on trial for human rights abuses, why can't Robert Mugabe?" he said.
What about those wanker Belgians and their goofy law that allows them to prosecute anyone for human rights crimes? Seems like this would be a good time to trot that one out.
Mr Tatchell has made similar attempts to arrest Mr Mugabe in London and Brussels. Glenys Kinnock, the Labour MEP, is demanding that the existing sanctions be extended to deny Zimbabwe's elite and their families, and that the right of residence and education in EU member states should also apply to business people collaborating with the ruling Zanu-PF party. As a result of the wrangling over the extension of the sanctions, the EU will from now on agree to allow exemptions to be granted by a majority of the 15 member states rather than under the current system of unanimity.
Making it even easier for the French. Gads.
Posted by: Steve White 2003-02-15
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=10257