South Africa is to insist that Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe be allowed to attend a long-delayed summit between the European Union and Africa in Portugal later this year.
The Zimbabwean president and over 100 other Zimbabwean officials are banned from travelling to EU nations under sanctions imposed in 2002, a restriction that threatens to derail an EU-Africa summit scheduled for December in Portugal.
Mugabe and other Zimbabwean officials are currently banned from travelling to EU nations. Image: Reuters.
The African Union has said its 53 members should decide who to send to the meeting.
"I think Africa will not move on its position of what constitutes the African delegation," South African Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad said. "Today, it is Zimbabwe [under pressure], tomorrow it could be us."
Mr Pahad said he was encouraged by comments from senior Portuguese officials, including its foreign affairs minister, suggesting the political crisis in Zimbabwe and Mr Mugabe's presence should not block a summit.
Portugal holds the rotating six-month EU presidency, giving it additional sway over how to approach the problem of Mr Mugabe's invitation. The Portuguese term will expire in early 2008.
Widely accused of abusing human rights, suppressing political opposition and driving Zimbabwe's economy into the ground, Mr Mugabe became persona non grata in much of Europe in 2002 after winning an election described as rigged by international observers.
South African President Thabo Mbeki is brokering talks between Mr Mugabe's government and representatives of Zimbabwe's main opposition party under a mandate granted to him earlier this year by the Southern African Development Community.
Britain is believed to be among the EU members most opposed to inviting Mr Mugabe to Portugal. Under EU rules, any member can veto the invitation.