RSS 2.0 FeedAugust 2011 - Vol 36, National News
Ailing Mugabe looks west for cancer treatment
President Robert Mugabe was visibly shocked on Monday when a top EU diplomat told him that targeted measures against him and his clan would only be lifted after free and fair elections were held.
Sources told The Zimbabwean that Mugabe had appeared horrified when Nicholas Westcott, the managing director for Africa for the European External Action Service in the EU had stated the position during a one-hour meeting at State House.
Mugabe is believed to be desperate to have the punitive measures removed so he can travel to Europe for treatment for a 'worsening' prostate cancer condition.
Diplomats also told this paper that Mugabe's officials have secretly approached British officials to find out if a travel ban on him can be lifted on 'humanitarian grounds' so he can get treatment in the UK.
Mugabe's family is said to be unhappy with the Chinese medicines and herbs he has been taking for several years, as there has been no improvement in his condition. He is believed to have paid millions to Chinese and Singaporean doctors drawn from state coffers.
British officials are said to have responded that there would be an outcry if Mugabe was allowed to tap into the National Health Service, which is failing to cope with British citizens.
A desperate Mugabe has tried various strategies to have the measures lifted, including petitions, threats of international litigation and seizure of Western firms.
The Herald quoted an unnamed 'source', believed to be Mugabe's spokesman George Charamba saying, "The President asked him (Westcott) why the EU should act as a judge of our systems and whether they had judged themselves before they cross seas to come and judge us. He told him that Zimbabwe will have its elections because it has to and not to meet the EU standards."
Westcott later told journalists that he had discussed the “sanctions” issue with Mugabe but would issue a detailed statement later.
On ZBC, Westcott said: "It would be fair to say that if the people of Zimbabwe and the parties here achieve full implementation of the GPA and there are elections held that are free, fair, transparent, peaceful, then I can see no reason why targeted sanctions should continue."
Mugabe has unilaterally declared that elections will be held by March 2012. Observers from the EU and Britain are banned.
