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• British Prime Minister Tony Blair (right), hugs President Olusegun Obasanjo at the Millennium Park, on the second day of the Commonwealth Summit in Abuja on Saturday. Photo: AP AS the Commonwealth Heads of Government wind up their meeting today, British Prime Minister, Tony Blair has lambasted his counterparts for allowing the Zimbabwean issue to dominate the summit. Also speaking against the level of attention accorded Zimbabwe which was suspended from the Commonwealth two years ago, Commonwealth Foundation (CF) Director, Colin Ball, expressed disappointment that the meeting devoted so much time to Zimbabwe to the detriment of other issues. Ball, who was exchanging views with newsmen on Sunday in Abuja, also called for the removal of all travel restriction in member-states to enhance exchange of visits among citizens. On his part, Blair expressed disappointment at the level of attention accorded Zimbabwe at the ongoing Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Abuja. In an interview on "Sky TV", Blair said: "I think it is a shame that it (Zimbabwe) dominated the conference to such an extent." Zimbabwe was suspended from the Commonwealth last year following allegations of election rigging by President Robert Mugabe. Blair, however, said the debate on Zimbabwe indicated the "degree to which what the Commonwealth says matters in respect of Zimbabwe". He pointed out that since most of the countries were still against what happened and is happening in that country, "Zimbabwe remains suspended from the Commonwealth". "A vast majority of countries, black or white or Asian, are in favour of continuing the suspension because we can see that Zimbabwe is so clearly in breach of the principles the Commonwealth stands for," Blair said. On whether there were chances that the face-off could force Zimbabwe out of the club, Blair said it could not leave the Commonwealth. He said: "I do not think Zimbabwe would ever leave the Commonwealth for any length of time, and in any event I am not even sure if they are threatening that." On efforts to normalise the situation in the country, he said Britain was still willing to help with the land reform, provided it would be done under UN auspices. He said Britain understood the necessity of such land reform because it had in the past given 100 million dollars to Zimbabweans who were starving as a result of the policies of Mugabe. On whether Zimbabwe had allies in black Africa supporting Mugabe, he said: "Oh yes. I would say a majority." Blair, however, declined to name such countries. He said the renewal of Don Mckinnon's term as Secretary-General of the Commonwealth testified to the popularity of the decision to keep Zimbabwe suspended from the group. Blair said Mckinnon "got his mandate renewed by 40 votes to 11 and I suspect that was something of a proxy for the vote on Zimbabwe". "But you know it is for the other countries to speak for themselves," he added. Ball in his comments also declared: "There is a need for us in the Commonwealth to do away with the use of visa or any other restrictions, to facilitate visits and foster partnerships among our citizens,'' he said. Ball, who was exchanging views with newsmen today in Abuja, said the elimination of visa requirements would also foster cordial relationship among Commonwealth citizens. He urged Commonwealth leaders to work toward achieving the objective to boost the image of the club and allow for freedom of association. He also said frequent exchange of visits would help in bringing about better understanding of the organisation and the aspirations of its people. "A non-visa regime between Commonwealth countries will assist the people to exchange visits and enable them to interact freely," he said. Ball further called for a new partnership between governments and civil societies in the Commonwealth to strengthen citizens' aspirations and rights. He urged the leaders to mandate the Commonwealth secretariat to develop means of tracking and reporting progress on the implementation of the group's commitments. The director said commitments should be consistent with the agreed values of good governance, transparency and accountability to guarantee the growth and development of the people. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the CF was established in 1965 to support civil societies in the Commonwealth. It also assists in fostering better working relationship between the NGOs and governments in the club. Monday, December 8, 2003 |
