Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)

It is important in trying to unravel the atmosphere that stands at the back of the present position in Zimbabwe to recognise the Lancaster House dimension to it and that the decolonisation act was not fulfilled adequately by Britain. This is part of the explanation of the origin of violence but it is different from the violence for which President Mugabe is responsible. While the Minister of State is correct that UN membership is achieved by a sovereign act of joining the body, the most distinguished election observation missions are provided by, for example, the Carter Institute. The influence on election observation might be useful if the South African Government as a neighbour or SADC as an institution invited the Carter Institute or countries such as Ireland to provide observers. That would help.

The Minister may not agree but I am disappointed with South Africa's behaviour in the Zimbabwean electoral process, as I am with SADC's inadequate proposals on governance in southern Africa. The organisation has gone much further in developing a sophisticated economic model than in addressing governance issues, which are important. In the discussions with the South African Government and SADC member states and through the EU's relationship with SADC, can issues of governance be discussed beyond and including issues of election observation? Will observers be offered through the neighbouring countries or the regional institution?

See this speech in context