Commonwealth leaders today voiced concern at the situation in Zimbabwe but delayed a decision on whether to impose sanctions until after the March 9th-10th elections.
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President Mugabe addressing a rally in Harare
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A statement said the leaders "expressed their deep concern about incidents of violence and intimidation surrounding the election campaign, called on parties to refrain from such violence and urged all concerned to work together to create an atmosphere in which there could be a free and fair election".
But the long-anticipated statement stopped short of calling for immediate sanctions to suspend Zimbabwe from the 54-nation body in protest at the political violence in the run-up to the polls.
Instead, it agreed a group made up of the leaders of South Africa, Australia and Nigeria would meet to discuss the election observers' report after the voting "to determine appropriate Commonwealth action on Zimbabwe in the event the report is adverse". Such action could range from "collective disapproval to suspension," the statement added.
The issue of how to tackle Zimbabwe has deeply divided the Commonwealth, with Britain and Australia initially leading a call to suspend Harare immediately.
Australian Prime Minister John Howard acknowledged: "This has not been an easy issue. Strong feelings are held." He said the statement provided "a quick mechanism but a fair mechanism" for dealing with the situation.
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African nations had led opposition to Britain's call for swift sanctions against the government of President Mr Robert Mugabe, with many saying London was meddling in its former colony's affairs. Mr Mugabe told British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair to keep "his pink nose out" of Zimbabwe's affairs.
A team of up to 50 Commonwealth observers is on the ground in Zimbabwe and is due to report to Secretary General Don McKinnon immediately after the elections.
AFP