Sanctions splits EU: Germany

Germany yesterday acknowledged divisions within the European Union over the continuation of illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe. This came out as the EU announced it had extended the existence of the widely discredited embargo for another year. Germany's Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Albrecht Conze, made the admission in Harare while addressing journalists, whom he also informed that 35 people on the EU travel ban component of the sanctions had been despecified.
The names of the 35 will most likely be made public Wednesday, but are believed to include three deceased people and spouses of several senior ZanuPF and Government officials.
Ambassador Conze said the removal of 35 individuals was the best concession they could make because of differing opinions on the legality of the sanctions within the EU.
He also admitted that the small concession was probably too little to help South Africa's President Jacob Zuma in his efforts to mediate between Zimbabwe's three main political parties.
"I understand that what we have done might not help President Zuma, but I think for the time being what we have done was the best we could do.
"Please do not forget that the EU is based on the consensus of 27 countries and not every country may have exactly the same opinion, but when we make decisions we make them as one.
"The removal of the 35 persons is a move in a new direction, not following the old direction any longer," he said.
United States classified information released by whistleblower website WikiLeaks last week revealed that some EU members -- including Germany, Greece, Italy and Spain -- were not convinced on the legality of the bloc's unilateral sanctions.
Under international law, only the United Nations Security Council can impose such sanctions and only in special circumstances.
In 2008, Britain -- which led the push to sanction Zimbabwe -- teamed up with the United States to try to get the UN Security Council to impose an embargo on Harare.
This was after Russia, China, South Africa and several other countries rejected the attempt to legitimise the illegal EU and US economic blockade.
Announcing the extension of the sanctions yesterday, First Secretary at the EU embassy in Harare, Mr Emilio Rosseti, said the political situation in Zimbabwe had not changed.
"Economic and social developments have not been matched by equivalent progress on the political front."
"In this, I have to express my deep concerns at the upsurge in political violence seen in recent weeks," Mr Rosseti said.
The EU claimed it still extended financial aid to Zimbabwe, but this has been directed to NGOs that have been complicit in the West's regime change agenda in the country.
None of it has come as development aid directed through Government structures.