Government News Index
TRANSCRIPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER THE HON JOHN HOWARD MP DOORSTOP INTERVIEW, PARLIAMENT HOUSE
15 March 2002
Subjects: Zimbabwe
JOURNALIST:
Have you had a chance yet to talk to the Presidents of South Africa and Nigeria and what action are you taking in relation to Zimbabwe?
PRIME MINISTER:
I’ve convened a meeting of the three of us in London on Tuesday next, the 19th. I’ve discussed the matter with the Commonwealth Secretary General. I may have an opportunity over the weekend, I may not, of talking to President Mbeki or President Obasanjo but more likely we will get together in London. It’s not an easy issue but the Commonwealth remit to us, the three of us, was to look at the observers report and then make a judgment in the light of the Harare and Millbrook principles and that’s the charge given to each of us, and Harare and Millbrook are pretty explicit about the requirement for democratic elections and the requirement for proper processes and I’ll be looking at the observers report against those principles. Now I’m making any pre-emptive judgments, I don’t think anybody should and I’m certain that my two Commonwealth colleagues will bring the same objectivity to it.
JOURNALIST:
The observers, there’s been a press conference over there where the observers have outlined their position, it seems very critical. What is your, do you have an early read on how you’re receiving their information, how it seems to you?
PRIME MINISTER:
I’ve read the summary report and I expect to get the full report soon and I’ll naturally read it before the meeting in London next Tuesday. I don’t want to pre-empt what I’m going to say at that meeting, that’s counterproductive to a sensible united outcome. But this is an important time for the Commonwealth. It has to make what we in Australia call a fair dinkum assessment of the Commonwealth analysis. I mean we have to be really serious and deliberative about this because there is a lot at stake and the democratic way has been hard fought and long waited for in many Commonwealth countries. So it’s something that should be upheld.
JOURNALIST:
One more for you, Prime Minister Clark this morning on the radio said New Zealand’s position hadn’t changed, that Zimbabwe ought to be suspended. Would you rule out suspension has an option?
PRIME MINISTER:
I’m not ruling anything out or anything in until I’ve had the meeting. I’m aware of New Zealand’s position and I respect it but I’m in a different position from the New Zealand Prime Minister, I’ve been given a special responsibility and I’m going to try and do it sensibly and conscientiously. It’s not going to be easy but I will certainly be applying the Harare and Millbrook principles against the analysis by the Commonwealth observers. I hope incidentally to talk to at least some of the Australian observers personally before the meeting takes place next Tuesday.
JOURNALIST:
I know I said last but I guess I lied, there’s a lot of pressure on you on this decision isn't there because of the position that you hold right now within the Commonwealth.
PRIME MINISTER:
Oh yes but that’s the same with everything. But it isn’t going to be easy but I’m going to work very hard to have a sensible outcome and I respect President Mbeki and President Obasanjo a great deal, they both displayed good faith in a difficult situation at Coolum and I would expect both of them will do the same thing at our meeting in London.
JOURNALIST:
Thank you Prime Minister.