18160 German Bundestag . 16th Legislative Period . 171st Session Print
We now arrive at item 3 on the agenda:
Question hour:
I would like to make the following proposal on this matter: We are somewhat behind schedule this afternoon for reasons which are well known. With regards to other obligations and appointments throughout the rest of the day, it seems to me both advisable and convenient to limit the length of the question hour to one hour.

(Applause)

Furthermore, in light of the number of questions which have already been registered voluntarily for a written response, I am confident that this amount of time will suffice and that all those present will still have the opportunity to ask their questions. Do you agree? I see that the house is at a broad consensus on this. Then it is decided as such. To begin the question hour, let us turn to the urgent questions on Document 16/9740. They relate to the portfolio of the Federal Foreign Offices. Minister of State Günter Gloser is available to answer questions.

I now call upon the first urgent question, from our colleague Kerstin Müller:

How is the security situation in Zimbabwe for opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who fled to the Dutch embassy in Harare for fear of violent attacks?

If you please, Mr. Minister of State.

Günter Gloser, Minister of State for Europe:

Thank you very much, Mr. President. Mrs. Müller, to diverge from the originally prepared answer, I can say that I've just read in the ticker reports that Mr. Tsvangirai has left the Dutch embassy in Harare 

(Kerstin Müller [Cologne] [BÜNDNIS 90/DIE GRÜNEN]: Temporarily!)

-according to news releases - and has announced that he will make a statement to the press on the further course of action. The Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, made an appeal to those in power in Harare to refrain from using violence and intimidation as political tools and to create a general framework in which human rights are observed and economic development will be possible.

President Dr. Norbert Lammert:

An additional question, Mrs. Müller.

Kerstin Müller (Cologne) (BÜNDNIS 90/DIE GRÜ-

 

 

 

NEN):

Mr. Minister of State, in the event that Mugabe declares himself the victor on the original election date this coming Friday even without a run-off election, will the German federal government refuse to recognise the Mugabe government, as the USA also announced today?

Günter Gloser, Minister of State for Europe:

We have already said before that the run-off election is a farce. Since Mr. Mugabe has not budged nor responded to criticism so far, I cannot imagine that his government could be recognised.

Kerstin Müller (Cologne) (BÜNDNIS 90/DIE GRÜNEN):

Will you approach the European partners with this position in the run-up to the elections? It could give a signal to Mugabe if we make it clear in advance that we will not recognise his government in this case.

Günter Gloser, Minister of State for Europe:

We are currently holding discussions at the European level with regard to what measures the European Union can take to address the course of events in Zimbabwe. I think that this position will form the basis for such measures.

President Dr. Norbert Lammert:

I now call upon the second urgent question from our colleague, Mrs. Müller:

 

What conclusions does the federal government draw from the latest UN Security Council resolution on Zimbabwe and does it see any further possible solutions enabling de-escalation in Zimbabwe on the short term?

Günter Gloser, Minister of State for Europe:

The federal government welcomes the presidential declaration of the United Nations Security Council on 23 June 2008, which condemned the violence in Zimbabwe. Not least, South Africa's acceptance of this declaration shows a change of sentiments amongst the African states.

The election observers of the African Union and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), who have already arrived for the second round of the run-off election on 27 June 2008, have been able to form their own impression of the situation in the country. They criticised the violence against supporters of the opposition as well as that against ordinary citizens. Overall, we view that as being positive. Our impression is that Europe and the USA, as well as the African Union and the Southern African Development Community, are moving together towards a common position. De-escalation will only continue to be possible if a dialogue is maintained. For that reason, the federal government supports efforts in the region towards the formation a government of national unity, as South African President Mbeki has also proposed. Tsvangirai has not discounted the formation of a government of national unity from the outset. Under the current circumstances, Tsvangirai has withdrawn his candidacy from the election on 27 June 2008, as has already been mentioned. Mugabe's current statements show that he is sticking to the run-off election - if one can even call it that - with himself as the only candidate. In the view of the federal government, a run-off election like this at this point in time is in no way consistent with democratic principles; it is - as I have said before - a farce. The federal government calls for a democratically legitimate change of policy. This requires elections which are held under free and fair conditions. It is thus vital to postpone the elections. A government of national unity without Mugabe would be preferable.

Its paramount task, however, would be to prepare free elections.

 

President Dr. Norbert Lammert:

 

Yes, Mrs. Müller.

 

Kerstin Müller (Cologne) (BÜNDNIS 90/DIE GRÜ- NEN):

 

Mr. Minister of State, this UN Security Council resolution contains neither proposed measures nor any kind of condemnation of Mugabe. For that reason, I do not understand at all why the federal government would assume there to be a change of heart among the African partners on this matter.

How does the federal government think it will be able to exert pressure on South African President Mbeki and the heads of state of the SADC, for instance at the upcoming G8 summit in Japan? The chancellor has emphasised time and again that Africa will also be a core subject there.

 

Günter Gloser, Minister of State for Europe:

 

Once again: We must note that there has been a certain degree of movement. The South African president's course of action, which certainly was not advocated by us, has demonstrated that in the past few days. Others have also changed their position and discussions are continuing to take place

We will make efforts through all diplomatic channels to exert influence towards the creation of suitable general conditions, as I have described earlier. The G8 summit could also potentially present an opportunity to accomplish this.

 

Kerstin Müller (Cologne) (BÜNDNIS 90/DIE GRÜ- NEN):

 

I have a second supplementary question. Once again: It seems quite clear to me that Mbeki in particular is being handled with velvet gloves. That also goes for the SADC, which even continues to receive financial support.

According to expert assessments which members of your parliamentary party referred to in committee today, Mugabe could be forced to reverse his position by means of sanctions from the surrounding countries within a few weeks - one to two weeks. When will the federal government and the EU finally change their position by exerting sufficient pressure on the neighbouring countries?

 

 

 

Günter Gloser, Minister of State for Europe:

 

Mrs. Müller, let me say once more that we have been able to observe a change of position, even from the South African president. But it does not suffice. Directly at the European level, we are preparing to deliberate with partners in the European Union on what possibilities there are of influencing the government in Zimbabwe.

It is essential that pressure is first exerted on Mr. Mugabe from Africa or the region itself. Perhaps it will be possible for us to reach an understanding concerning this matter this week in Brussels.

 

President Dr. Norbert Lammert:

 

There are no further supplementary questions. Thank you for the response.

 
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