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Brown threatening Mugabe boycott Brown threatening Mugabe boycott
(about 2 hours later)
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said he will boycott a summit of European and African leaders if Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe attends the event.Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said he will boycott a summit of European and African leaders if Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe attends the event.
Mr Brown says Mr Mugabe's presence at the conference in Portugal will "divert attention" from important issues such as poverty, climate change and health.Mr Brown says Mr Mugabe's presence at the conference in Portugal will "divert attention" from important issues such as poverty, climate change and health.
He tells the Independent newspaper that Mr Mugabe faces an EU travel ban for a reason - "the abuse of his own people".He tells the Independent newspaper that Mr Mugabe faces an EU travel ban for a reason - "the abuse of his own people".
The European Union-African Union summit will take place in Lisbon in December.The European Union-African Union summit will take place in Lisbon in December.
Mr Brown described the summit as a "serious opportunity" to forge stronger partnerships between Africa and the EU.Mr Brown described the summit as a "serious opportunity" to forge stronger partnerships between Africa and the EU.
"I believe President Mugabe's presence would undermine the summit, divert attention from the important issues that need to be resolved," he said."I believe President Mugabe's presence would undermine the summit, divert attention from the important issues that need to be resolved," he said.
"In those circumstances, my attendance would not be appropriate.""In those circumstances, my attendance would not be appropriate."
'Tragic''Tragic'
He added that Britain had a responsibility to the people of Zimbabwe, who find themselves in an "appalling and tragic" situation.He added that Britain had a responsibility to the people of Zimbabwe, who find themselves in an "appalling and tragic" situation.
The BBC's Robin Bryant said Mr Brown would also be keen to avoid the embarrassment which befell Jack Straw who, as foreign secretary, was pictured shaking hands with the Zimbabwean leader at the UN in 2004. The BBC's Robin Brant said Mr Brown would also be keen to avoid the embarrassment which befell Jack Straw who, as foreign secretary, was pictured shaking hands with the Zimbabwean leader at the UN in 2004.
There is widespread torture and mass intimidation of the political opposition Gordon BrownThere is widespread torture and mass intimidation of the political opposition Gordon Brown
But he added that the likelihood of Mr Mugabe attending the summit is "very small".
Mr Mugabe is currently subject to a travel ban meaning he is not allowed to enter the EU. The ban would have to be lifted by EU ministers.
However our correspondent said that if the Zimbabwean leader did express interest in the summit, it is likely some other African leaders who support him would stay away as well.
Disagreement over Mr Mugabe upset plans for a previous EU-AU meeting four years ago.Disagreement over Mr Mugabe upset plans for a previous EU-AU meeting four years ago.
Portugal, which holds the rotating EU presidency, is keen to invite every African leader for the summit on 8-9 December.Portugal, which holds the rotating EU presidency, is keen to invite every African leader for the summit on 8-9 December.
In order to allow Mr Mugabe to attend, EU member states would have to convene before the summit and agree to lift the travel ban currently imposed on him.In order to allow Mr Mugabe to attend, EU member states would have to convene before the summit and agree to lift the travel ban currently imposed on him.
But Mr Brown is urging EU leaders to keep it in place.But Mr Brown is urging EU leaders to keep it in place.
"There is no freedom in Zimbabwe: no freedom of association; no freedom of the press," he added."There is no freedom in Zimbabwe: no freedom of association; no freedom of the press," he added.
"And there is widespread torture and mass intimidation of the political opposition.""And there is widespread torture and mass intimidation of the political opposition."
In the past week, the BBC has reported from Zimbabwe on the vast inflation and claims of torture that are a blight on a country which was once one of Africa's richest.In the past week, the BBC has reported from Zimbabwe on the vast inflation and claims of torture that are a blight on a country which was once one of Africa's richest.