EU to suspend Zimbabwe sanctions 'after referendum'

Brussels, 23 Jul – (ANA) - The European Union is to suspend most sanctions against Zimbabwe once it has held a credible referendum on a new constitution, EU foreign ministers say. This would make an "important milestone" towards holding democratic elections, their statement said. More than a 100 key individuals have been covered under an EU travel ban and assets freeze imposed in 2002. The sanctions were originally imposed a decade ago in response to human rights abuses and political violence. But sanctions would remain against President Robert Mugabe, AFP news agency quotes EU diplomats as saying.

"There is no question of lifting sanctions against Mugabe or anyone involved in continued abuses of human rights, incitement to violence," an EU official told the agency.

Mr Mugabe and his rival, Prime Minster Morgan Tsvangirai, have been sharing power since disputed elections in 2008. (ANA)

FA/ANA/23 July 2012--------