EU says too early to lift sanctions on Zimbabwe

The European Union said Thursday that it is too early to lift sanctions on Zimbabwe and that President Robert Mugabe first had to prove that he would hand down all necessary powers to the government.

"We are looking at the situation very carefully, watching developments," Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg, whose country holds the EU's rotating presidency, told reporters at a summit in Brussels.

"We shall see whether the distribution of power operates, if President Mugabe places substantial powers in the hands of democratically elected ministers," he said.

The EU would then, he said, "be able to look at the sanctions and will be able to lift them, but we can't do that immediately. Foremost they have to prove that they are going to stick to the rules."

In Harare earlier Thursday, Mugabe called for foreign aid to revive his nation's shattered economy and urged the United States and the EU to end "cruel" sanctions on his inner circle.

Mugabe issued the appeal at the launch of a new economic recovery plan prepared by the month-old unity government.

The European Union and the United States maintain a travel ban and asset freeze on Mugabe and his inner circle in protest at controversial elections and alleged human rights abuses by his government.

Although his long-time rival Morgan Tsvangirai became prime minister in a unity government last month, Western countries want to maintain the sanctions until the 85-year-old leader proves he is ready to reform.

Zimbabwe's once-dynamic economy has been crushed by world-record hyperinflation and the collapse of farming, mining and manufacturing.

Meanwhile the United States will continue its sanctions against Zimbabwe before the African country shows "respect for human rights and the rule of law," State Department Robert Wood said on Thursday.

"We have not yet seen sufficient evidence from the government of Zimbabwe that they are firmly and irrevocably on a path to inclusive and effective governance, and as well as respect for human rights and the rule of law," State Department Robert Wood told a news briefing.

"So that government has a long way to go before we will consider ... easing sanctions with that government," Wood said. "We're not in any kind of discussion with ... the government of Zimbabwe on removing our targeted sanctions."

Wood made the remarks after Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe on Thursday called for international aid for his country's economic recovery and lifting of sanctions.

Mugabe, who has been leading Zimbabwe since its 1980 independence from Britain, blames sanctions by the United States and its Western allies for Zimbabwe's economic collapse.

Relations between the United States and Zimbabwe have soured in recent years, with former U.S. President George W. Bush and his administration accusing Mugabe's government of rigging parliamentary and presidential elections since 2000.