Britain's Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, has said that Britain will continue to urge the UN to put further pressure on tyrant Robert Mugabe, the president of Zimbabwe.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Cricket Team has pulled out of next year's Twenty20 World Cup, which is being held in England.
"The demons in the British Government need to be exorcised," says the Zimbabwean president who rigs elections, tortures his own people and condemns millions to poverty and starvation
'Put Mugabe under pressure'
By VINCE SOODIN
03 Jul 2008
The Sun
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband
BRITAIN is hoping the UN will put further pressure on Robert Mugabe next week to end the violence and “political limbo” in Zimbabwe.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband told the Commons there must be targeted sanctions “punishing” those within or associated with the Mugabe regime.
“We will continue to push for a UN Security Council resolution calling for further sanctions including an arms embargo, a travel ban, an asset-freeze on key regime figures.
“A draft is now circulating. I can confirm it is a strong and clear draft resolution and very much hope there will be a vote early next week on it.”
In a short topical debate on the situation in Zimbabwe, Mr Miliband said EU foreign ministers later this month would decide how to “widen and deepen” existing EU targeted measures, including an extension to the asset-freeze.
Limbo
The England Cricket Board had also been asked to request that the International Cricket Council annuls Zimbabwe’s inclusion in the 20/20 World Cup due to be held here next year.
Mr Miliband said Mugabe had brought Zimbabwe “to its knees,” adding: “Politically it is in limbo.
“In his determination to cling to power, Mugabe has turned on his own people.”
The economic prospects were “bleak,” last weekend’s election a “sham” and the G8 had expressed its “disgust”.
Britain’s goal was simple “to ensure the Government of Zimbabwe reflects the will of the people of Zimbabwe.”
Shadow foreign secretary William Hague said the Government was right to seek a strong resolution from the UN Security Council and called for Mugabe to be referred to the International Criminal Court.
RE-ELECTED ... president Robert Mugabe
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Zimbabwe pull out of cricket's World T20 Cup
04 Jul 2008
The Sun
The Zimbabwe cricket team has withdrawn from next year's Twenty20 World Cup in England
ZIMBABWE have withdrawn from next year's World Twenty20 tournament in England.
The International Cricket Council have been discussing the future of the country's cricket team at a board meeting in Dubai.
England and South Africa have already broken off cricketing relations with Zimbabwe over the election process that saw Robert Mugabe re-elected as president.
The future of the tournament was likely to be thrown into doubt had the country retained their intention to compete.
But this deal represents the best compromise with the event still going ahead while Zimbabwe lose none of their financial backing as a full member of the ICC.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown welcomed the announcement, saying: "This will allow the Twenty20 tournament in England to go ahead.
“It also sends a powerful message to Zimbabwe that the Government must change or face further isolation.”
An ICC statement said: "The Zimbabwe delegation to ICC Annual Conference week is aware of the decision of the British government not to allow its bilateral series in England in 2009 to go ahead.
"Zimbabwe Cricket has also taken note that the British government is likely to refuse to grant visas for the Zimbabwe cricket team to take part in the ICC World Twenty20 2009.
"Therefore, the Zimbabwe delegation has decided to recommend to its board that the team should withdraw from that event.
"The delegation has undertaken to report back on the decision of its board to the ICC within one month.
"The delegation will report to its board that it will not suffer financially as a result of its non-participation in the ICC World Twenty20 2009.
"The Zimbabwe delegation has agreed to take this decision in the greater interest of world cricket and the ICC.
"This recommendation should be viewed as a one-off and will not be taken as a precedent."
CURRENT CRICKET WORLD RANKINGS (TEST MATCHES ONLY)
1) Australia 141
2) India 111
3) England 110
4) South Africa 109
5) Sri Lanka 106
6) Pakistan 94
7) New Zealand 88
8 )West Indies 77
9) Bangladesh 1
Zimbabwe NOW BANNED FROM RANKINGS
thesun.co.uk
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Cricket Team has pulled out of next year's Twenty20 World Cup, which is being held in England.
"The demons in the British Government need to be exorcised," says the Zimbabwean president who rigs elections, tortures his own people and condemns millions to poverty and starvation
'Put Mugabe under pressure'
By VINCE SOODIN
03 Jul 2008
The Sun
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband
BRITAIN is hoping the UN will put further pressure on Robert Mugabe next week to end the violence and “political limbo” in Zimbabwe.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband told the Commons there must be targeted sanctions “punishing” those within or associated with the Mugabe regime.
“We will continue to push for a UN Security Council resolution calling for further sanctions including an arms embargo, a travel ban, an asset-freeze on key regime figures.
“A draft is now circulating. I can confirm it is a strong and clear draft resolution and very much hope there will be a vote early next week on it.”
In a short topical debate on the situation in Zimbabwe, Mr Miliband said EU foreign ministers later this month would decide how to “widen and deepen” existing EU targeted measures, including an extension to the asset-freeze.
Limbo
The England Cricket Board had also been asked to request that the International Cricket Council annuls Zimbabwe’s inclusion in the 20/20 World Cup due to be held here next year.
Mr Miliband said Mugabe had brought Zimbabwe “to its knees,” adding: “Politically it is in limbo.
“In his determination to cling to power, Mugabe has turned on his own people.”
The economic prospects were “bleak,” last weekend’s election a “sham” and the G8 had expressed its “disgust”.
Britain’s goal was simple “to ensure the Government of Zimbabwe reflects the will of the people of Zimbabwe.”
Shadow foreign secretary William Hague said the Government was right to seek a strong resolution from the UN Security Council and called for Mugabe to be referred to the International Criminal Court.
RE-ELECTED ... president Robert Mugabe
*****************************************************************************
Zimbabwe pull out of cricket's World T20 Cup
04 Jul 2008
The Sun
The Zimbabwe cricket team has withdrawn from next year's Twenty20 World Cup in England
ZIMBABWE have withdrawn from next year's World Twenty20 tournament in England.
The International Cricket Council have been discussing the future of the country's cricket team at a board meeting in Dubai.
England and South Africa have already broken off cricketing relations with Zimbabwe over the election process that saw Robert Mugabe re-elected as president.
The future of the tournament was likely to be thrown into doubt had the country retained their intention to compete.
But this deal represents the best compromise with the event still going ahead while Zimbabwe lose none of their financial backing as a full member of the ICC.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown welcomed the announcement, saying: "This will allow the Twenty20 tournament in England to go ahead.
“It also sends a powerful message to Zimbabwe that the Government must change or face further isolation.”
An ICC statement said: "The Zimbabwe delegation to ICC Annual Conference week is aware of the decision of the British government not to allow its bilateral series in England in 2009 to go ahead.
"Zimbabwe Cricket has also taken note that the British government is likely to refuse to grant visas for the Zimbabwe cricket team to take part in the ICC World Twenty20 2009.
"Therefore, the Zimbabwe delegation has decided to recommend to its board that the team should withdraw from that event.
"The delegation has undertaken to report back on the decision of its board to the ICC within one month.
"The delegation will report to its board that it will not suffer financially as a result of its non-participation in the ICC World Twenty20 2009.
"The Zimbabwe delegation has agreed to take this decision in the greater interest of world cricket and the ICC.
"This recommendation should be viewed as a one-off and will not be taken as a precedent."
CURRENT CRICKET WORLD RANKINGS (TEST MATCHES ONLY)
1) Australia 141
2) India 111
3) England 110
4) South Africa 109
5) Sri Lanka 106
6) Pakistan 94
7) New Zealand 88
8 )West Indies 77
9) Bangladesh 1
Zimbabwe NOW BANNED FROM RANKINGS
thesun.co.uk
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