London - Britain's Foreign Secretary Robin Cook announced on Wednesday he was tightening up export controls on Zimbabwe, condemning President Robert Mugabe for creating a "condition of crisis".
Cook stepped up British condemnation of the violence and land-grabbing in Zimbabwe in a statement to parliament, spelling out new measures to increase pressure on the southern African country.
From Wednesday, Britain will refuse all new export licence applications for arms and military equipment to Zimbabwe, including spare parts for British-made Hawk jets.
Britain is "urgently reviewing all existing export licences". In addition, the government has suspended a programme to supply Land Rovers to the Zimbabwean police. A remaining 450 vehicles will not be delivered until the police show determination to restore rule of law, he said.
"I am sorry to say that the events of the past two weeks and President Mugabe's inflammatory speech earlier today (Wednesday) suggest the government of Zimbabwe is interested in the issue of land reform only to create a condition of crisis in which it can secure its re-election," said Cook. - Reuters