Kinnock calls for Zanu PF MPs to be blocked from Brussels meeting.

By Violet Gonda

19 March 2007

Glenys Kinnock, co-President of the Africa Caribbean Pacific (ACP) - EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly, has called for Zanu-PF Members of Parliament to be blocked from participating in the ACP-EU meetings which begin in Brussels on Tuesday. The Member of the European Parliament made these remarks after the latest brutal attack on Nelson Chamisa, the spokesperson for the Tsvangirai led MDC, at the Harare International Airport on Sunday morning.

Kinnock said the ACP-EU meetings are supposed to be about democracy, human rights and good governance and it’s shocking that four ZANU PF MPs waltzed into Europe while the MDC MP had his face battered by iron bars while trying to leave to attend the same meeting. She said it’s time to look into extending the targeted sanctions to include “anyone who is supporting or giving succour to the Mugabe regime and that will include extending the list to key ZANU PF members of parliament and maybe all of them.”

Speaking from his hospital bed Chamisa said the men who assaulted him also stole his personal belongings including his laptop computer, passport and mobile phone. He said doctors told him he suffered a swollen brain, fractured skull and a fracture to the bone surrounding his eye. He said: “In fact the other eye can’t see. It’s just blank. I can’t see a thing. I am likely to go to the theatre for surgery.”

It is strongly believed that Chamisa was assaulted and blocked from leaving the country to stop him from giving a first hand account of the atrocities taking place in Zimbabwe , to the ACP-EU delegates. Chamisa said: “No doubt it was sponsored by Mugabe and his cronies… and I hope the joint parliamentary assembly will issue a very stern strong statement and also stern action against this rogue regime.”

It is reported that the Zanu PF MPs who are expected to attend the ACP- EU meeting are Forbes Magadu the Senator for Chitungwiza, Walter Mzembi the MP for Masvingo South , Enita Maziriri the MP for Chivi North and Edward Chindori-Chininga the MP for Guruve. We have not been able to confirm their travel plans.

Kinnock said: "The German EU Presidency and President Barrosso must condemn this action urgently and in the strongest possible terms. The African Union commission chief Alpha Oumar Konare Konare has already spoken out. The EU must also make it clear that Mugabe and his cohorts cannot continue with their current brutal wrecking spree.