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EU Threatens to Impose Sanctions on Zimbabwe VOA News 9 Feb 2002 17:14 UTC 
The European Union says it could impose sanctions on Zimbabwe as early as next week if authorities hamper the work of EU election observers. EU foreign ministers meeting in Caceres, Spain, Saturday reaffirmed their threat of sanctions as the leader of the EU election observer team, Swedish U.N. Ambassador Pierre Schori, heads to Harare to prepare for Zimbabwe's March ninth and 10th elections. The officials say they expect the observers to be allowed to do their jobs safely and unhindered.
British Foreign Minister Jack Straw says the European Union will be watching the situation on a day-to-day basis.The European Union first threatened sanctions last month after Zimbabwe refused to allow foreign election observers into the country. Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe subsequently gave permission for the observers to visit.
EU sanctions would include a freeze on the foreign assets of Mr. Mugabe's family and inner circle and block them from traveling. The European Union says Zimbabwe has indicated it would not accept EU observers from six EU countries. It says Zimbabwe must treat all EU observers equally.
President Mugabe is facing increasing international criticism for his crackdown on the political opposition and news media ahead of the elections, in which he faces strong opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai.
Some information for this report provided by AFP and Reuters.
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