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Zimbabwe: Sanctions

Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will seek to extend the European Union sanctions against leaders of the Zanu-PF regime in Zimbabwe to cover Gideon Gono, governor of the Reserve Bank. [HL2107]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Triesman): On 19 February, EU member states unanimously agreed to roll over the EU-targeted measures against Zimbabwe for an additional year—the fourth year they have been rolled over. With other EU member states, we continue to discuss options for strengthening the targeted measures. Together we keep under review the names of all those responsible for Zimbabwe's disastrous economic and political policies, including that of Gideon Gono.

Zimbabwe: World Food Programme

Lord Acton asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are taking action to prevent Zimbabwe becoming vice-president of the United Nations World Food Programme. [HL2125]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Triesman): We welcome the decision to appoint Cape Verde as vice-president of the World Food Programme. At a time when the devastating agricultural policies of the Mugabe regime have led to a great many of its own population requiring food aid, it would have been particularly inappropriate for Zimbabwe to be elected to this position.

We will continue, as we have done up to now, to give food aid through the World Food Programme to those most in need, including those in Zimbabwe.

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