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Brown firm on Zimbabwe sanctions Brown firm on Zimbabwe sanctions
(about 3 hours later)
Gordon Brown has said sanctions against Zimbabwe should not be lifted until concerns about human rights violations and media restrictions are addressed.Gordon Brown has said sanctions against Zimbabwe should not be lifted until concerns about human rights violations and media restrictions are addressed.
After talks with South African President Jacob Zuma, Mr Brown said Zimbabwe must show its commitment to free and fair elections in the future. After talks with South African President Jacob Zuma, Mr Brown said Zimbabwe must show progress in key areas including democratic reforms.
President Zuma, on a state visit to the UK, has suggested sanctions should be eased to help Zimbabwe "move forward".President Zuma, on a state visit to the UK, has suggested sanctions should be eased to help Zimbabwe "move forward".
The PM also praised preparations for this year's World Cup in South Africa. The BBC's Mike Wooldridge said the two effectively disagreed over the issue.
He urged South Africa to use the "impetus and momentum" of the tournament to ensure that every child in the country could have access to primary education. After talks in London, the two leaders sought to present a united front on Zimbabwe, with the prime minister praising South Africa's role in helping bring "stability and change" to its neighbour.
During talks in London, the two leaders discussed a wide range of issues including the global economy, trade links, climate change and nuclear non-proliferation. But our correspondent says differences remain and Mr Zuma had made it clear that if lasting change did not happen in Zimbabwe, some people could use international sanctions as an excuse.
'Supporting progress''Supporting progress'
The two men sought to present a united front on Zimbabwe, with the prime minister praising South Africa's role in helping bring "stability and change" to its neighbour. President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai formed a unity government last year but remain deadlocked over key appointments.
President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai formed a unity government last year but remain deadlocked over key appointments while the upcoming trial of a political ally of Mr Tsvangirai's for treason has raised tensions. The ongoing trial of a political ally of Mr Tsvangirai's for terrorism and treason has also raised tensions.
The EU maintains sanctions are still needed to keep pressure on President Mugabe to live up to his commitments on political and economic reform but Mr Zuma has said their lifting could help the country resolve outstanding political differences. ZIMBABWE SANCTIONS EU: 2002 to presentAssets freeze and travel ban on some Mugabe allies, arms-sale banUS: 2003 to presentTrade ban against 250 Zimbabwean individuals and 17 companiesOther countriesCanada, Australia and UK among nations to have imposed their own targeted sanctions Sources: EU, Reuters, US treasury, UK Foreign Office class="" href="/2/hi/africa/8545789.stm">UK trip puts Zuma under scrutiny class="" href="/2/hi/business/8525566.stm">IMF gives vote back to Zimbabwe class="" href="/2/hi/africa/8518160.stm">EU renews sanctions on Zimbabwe class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=7536&edition=1&ttl=20100304115504">Should sanctions be lifted?
Mr Brown said sanctions targeted individuals with a history of supporting violence not ordinary Zimbabweans. The EU says sanctions are still needed to keep pressure on Mr Mugabe to live up to his commitments on political and economic reform.
But Mr Zuma has said easing the measured could help the country resolve outstanding political differences.
Mr Brown said some sanctions had been lifted and those remaining in place targeted individuals with a history of supporting violence not ordinary Zimbabweans.
It was "vital" that commissions set up by the government to increase protection for human rights and freedom of speech and to support democratic institutions concluded their work quickly, he said.It was "vital" that commissions set up by the government to increase protection for human rights and freedom of speech and to support democratic institutions concluded their work quickly, he said.
"The UK has always said we are ready to support progress on the ground," he said. "But we must be absolutely sure that progress is being made. We must be moving from what is a unity, transitional government to free and fair elections." "The UK has always said we are ready to support progress on the ground," he said.
President Zuma said he was "very positive" progress was being made in Zimbabwe and the international community had a "better understanding" of what was happening in the country. class="lp" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/default.stm">HAVE YOUR SAYWe should use Zuma's visit as opportunity to promote what is commonly good between us.NJ Sharpe class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/haveyoursay/2010/03/can_jacob_zumas_state_visit_im.html">Send us your comments
The two leaders also discussed preparations for this summer's football World Cup in South Africa, with thousands of British supporters set to travel to the country to watch the tournament. "But we must be absolutely sure that progress is being made. We must be moving from what is a unity, transitional government to free and fair elections."
President Zuma will later visit the site of the 2012 Olympics in London as well as anti-racism and crime reduction projects in the capital. Mr Zuma said he was "very positive" that progress was being made in Zimbabwe.
He added that the international community now had a "better understanding" of what was happening in the country.
Travel ban
This week, the US announced it would extend sanctions on Zimbabwe for another year, saying its protracted political crisis remained unresolved despite the power-sharing agreement.
Both the EU and the US maintain a travel ban and asset freeze on President Mugabe, his wife and inner circle in protest at disputed elections and alleged human rights abuses by his government.
Other issues discussed by Mr Brown and Mr Zuma included the global economy, trade links, climate change, nuclear non-proliferation and the upcoming football World Cup in South Africa.
The British prime minister praised preparations for the event and urged South Africa to use the "impetus and momentum" of the tournament to ensure that every child in the country could have access to primary education.
Mr Zuma will later visit the site of the 2012 Olympics in London as well as anti-racism and crime-reduction projects in the capital.