Foreign Secretary statement on UNSCR Zimbabwe

I am very disappointed that the UN Security Council should have failed to pass a strong and clear resolution on Zimbabwe. In particular, it will appear incomprehensible to the people of Zimbabwe that Russia, which committed itself at the G8 only a few days ago to take further steps including introducing financial and other sanctions, should today stand in the way of timely and decisive Security Council action. Nor will they understand the Chinese vote.

We will persist in our twin track approach of applying pressure on the regime to bring reform and change and of supporting ordinary Zimbabweans who are in the grip of the Mugabe-made humanitarian crisis. We will continue to advocate intensified EU measures against Mugabe and his ruling clique. The UN still has a key role to play in supporting African efforts to bring an end to this crisis, and we will continue to press for the appointment of a UN envoy.

All of our efforts will continue to be directed at alleviating the suffering of Zimbabweans. The violence against them must stop. Humanitarian agencies must be granted full access immediately. And a solution must be found that reflects the will of the Zimbabwean people , who voted for change on 29 March, but whose will continues to be so brutally denied.

Statement issued by the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office July 12 2008