Diplomat to check on Irish in Zimbabwe 26/06/2008 - 17:53:13
Ireland is sending a top diplomat to Zimbabwe to check the welfare of Irish citizens as voters go to the polls in tomorrow’s re-election of president Robert Mugabe.
The ambassador to South Africa Colin Wrafter also has diplomatic responsibility for the troubled neighbouring country run by controversial leader Robert Mugabe.
Mr Wrafter had been due to act as an official observer to tomorrow’s planned presidential run-off contest before Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai was forced to pull out.
“The ambassador will now be meeting with political and diplomatic contacts on the ground in Harare today and tomorrow and will be reporting back to the Irish Government on his findings,” said a Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman.
Mr Wrafter is also expected to meet with members of the Irish community in the capital.
The Department of Foreign Affairs is still urging Irish people not to travel to the southern African country.
“The situation on the ground is unpredictable and tensions are high,” a spokesman said.
“There has been an increase in violent incidents throughout the country, including Harare.
“Many of the incidents of violence have been indiscriminate in nature. The situation could deteriorate further.”
Former South African leader Nelson Mandela, 90, finally broke his silence on the issue to condemn Mugabe for his “tragic failure of leadership”.
Britain has stripped the Zimbabwean leader of his honorary knighthood over his “abuse of human rights” and “abject disregard” for democracy and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has also cancelled Zimbabwe’s tour of the UK next year.
The Irish Government said this week that it condemned the “orchestrated and brutal state-sponsored campaign of violence” which led to the decision by Mr Tsvangirai to withdraw from the second round of the presidential elections.
Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin also stated that Ireland and the international community will refuse to accept the result of such a sham process.
“At EU and UN level, Ireland will strongly support any new measures which would exert further pressure directly on those guilty of directing political violence in Zimbabwe without increasing the suffering of the Zimbabwean people,” said Mr Martin.
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