Australia warned Zimbabwe today it had to change its stance against white farmers or possibly face suspension from the Commonwealth.
Australian Prime Minister Mr John Howard said concern was growing among leaders of Commonwealth countries about President Mr Robert Mugabe's land-reform policy, which involves seizing white-owned farms for redistribution to landless blacks.
Zimbabwe has been in crisis since February last year when self-styled war veterans, encouraged by the government, began invading hundreds of white-owned farms. Nine white farmers have been killed and hundreds of farm workers injured.
"There is no doubt that what is happening in Zimbabwe is unacceptable," Mr Howard told Australian radio. "It has to change otherwise people are entitled to look at Zimbabwe's continuing association with the Commonwealth".
The Commonwealth has suspended Fiji and Pakistan's membership following coups there and concern over their commitment to democratic standards and the rule of law.
Zimbabwe yesterday accepted an offer from white farmers to sell land and break an impasse over Mr Mugabe's land-reform scheme, but critics dismissed it as a move to soften criticism at the Commonwealth meeting.
Critics argue the way Mr Mugabe is handing land to poor blacks is a vote-winning ploy that is ruining the economy.