Development Ministers' statement on the crisis in Zimbabwe
23 June 2008
The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Development Assistance Committee
(DAC) today issued a statement on Zimbabwe. The DAC, of which the UK is a
member, is the principal body through which the OECD deals with issues related
to co-operation with developing countries. DAC members today issued the
following statement. (For more information about the DAC, please go to
 www.oecd.org/dac).
We, Development Ministers and Heads of bilateral agencies from Australia,
France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, United
Kingdom, and the United States, are very concerned about the evolving and
increasingly desperate situation in Zimbabwe.
In particular, after the withdrawal of Morgan Tsvangirai from the June 27
election, we are convinced that no free and fair elections are possible and
therefore no outcome can be recognized internationally. We are extremely
troubled by the negative spiral of violence and intimidation.
Protection of those in the opposition and the population at large who are
persecuted is crucial. Furthermore, food aid and access to humanitarian
assistance must not be manipulated for political gain. Most importantly,
non-governmental organizations must be allowed to continue to provide food aid
and relief to the most vulnerable communities. In this regard, we urge the
Government of Zimbabwe to address the current estimated one million ton grain
shortfall.
While we recognize and encourage the growing momentum and concern from an
increasing number of African leaders, we believe that critical actors in the
region must exert more pressure on the Government of Zimbabwe to protect the
rights of all concerned parties and safeguard all citizens against violence,
consistent with international rights and norms. In particular, we believe that
SADC, the African Union, and especially the Government of South Africa must make
use of all available diplomatic means to resolve conflict and advance
appropriate democratic processes.
Finally, we encourage the UN Security Council to take all necessary steps to
help in the humanitarian field, use all necessary political measures,
fact-finding missions, and provide mediators and observers to monitor the
situation.
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