AFR: Annan stresses need for "rule of law" in Zimbabwe

AAP General News (Australia)
04-20-2000
AFR: Annan stresses need for "rule of law" in Zimbabwe

UNITED NATIONS, April 19 AFP - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said today that tensions
over land ownership in Zimbabwe could affect the efforts of the United Nations to promote
good government in Africa.

But he said he believed Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe was "trying to take steps
to defuse the tension" and that he would telephone him later in the day.

Annan called Mugabe last night, after the president described white farmers in Zimbabwe
as "enemies" because they had opposed his government's plans for land reform.

Asked whether Mugabe's rhetoric was inflaming rather than defusing the tension, Annan
replied: "I am basing my judgement on my direct contacts with him, not what I read in
the press."

He added: "My sense is that he has taken the situation in hand and taken steps to defuse
it. I have encouraged him to do that and I shall be talking to him again later today.

I think we should all encourage efforts at dialogue."

Annan was speaking to reporters before Mugabe announced in Harare that Zimbabwe's war
veterans and white farmers had agreed to start negotiations on the problem of land redistribution.

The UN chief said he did not believe the unrest was "an issue for the (Security) council
at this stage."

But, he added: "We have all argued, in the council and within the UN at large, that
we should take steps to settle conflicts in Africa so that we can focus on economic and
social development.

"We have stressed the issue of good governance, rule of law and appropriate regulatory
systems. In that respect, it does affect the broader efforts the UN is making to bring
good governance to the continent."

Asked if events in Zimbabwe posed a threat to the stability of southern Africa, Annan said:

"We live in an inter-connected world where what happens in one country is instantly
seen on television and heard on radio in other regions."

The event might have "a broader impact", he said, "but I hope it can be contained,
and this is why I am encouraged by my conversation with President Mugabe."

AFP arb

KEYWORD: ZIMBABWE UN (CARRIED EARLIER)

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