- News>
- World
Leaders knew Zimbabwe would quit Commonwealth: Australia
Abuja, Dec 08: Commonwealth leaders knew that President Robert Mugabe would pull Zimbabwe out of the world body before they took their decision to extend his suspension from the body, an Australian spokesman said today.
Abuja, Dec 08: Commonwealth leaders knew that
President Robert Mugabe would pull Zimbabwe out of the world
body before they took their decision to extend his suspension
from the body, an Australian spokesman said today.
Mugabe announced his country's withdrawal late
yesterday after the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
chose to prolong Zimbabwe's suspension indefinitely and set up
a committee to review its progress towards political reform.
Commonwealth officials have expressed disappointment with Mugabe's reaction, but the spokesman for Australia's Prime Minister John Howard said the leaders had acted with their eyes open.
"I understand that that was the decision conveyed to the Commonwealth before taking its decision," he said.
"The Commonwealth has taken a stand on principle which is very welcome, but ultimately (withdrawal) is a decision for the Zimbabwe government," he said.
Australia was one of six countries named to a panel set up to monitor Zimbabwe, alongside Commonwealth Chairman President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, and one of the most outspoken in its criticism of South Africa.
British officials said yesterday that South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki, another panel member, had strongly opposed Zimbabwe's continued suspension before being convinced to bow to the Commonwealth's majority view.
Bureau Report
Commonwealth officials have expressed disappointment with Mugabe's reaction, but the spokesman for Australia's Prime Minister John Howard said the leaders had acted with their eyes open.
"I understand that that was the decision conveyed to the Commonwealth before taking its decision," he said.
"The Commonwealth has taken a stand on principle which is very welcome, but ultimately (withdrawal) is a decision for the Zimbabwe government," he said.
Australia was one of six countries named to a panel set up to monitor Zimbabwe, alongside Commonwealth Chairman President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, and one of the most outspoken in its criticism of South Africa.
British officials said yesterday that South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki, another panel member, had strongly opposed Zimbabwe's continued suspension before being convinced to bow to the Commonwealth's majority view.
Bureau Report