Australia today said it would remove sanctions on 55 Zimbabweans who “are not considered to be hindering democratic reforms or undermining the ultimate goal of free and fair elections in Zimbabwe” if the country holds a successful referendum this weekend. “The 55 names on this list include some ZANU-PF politicians, members of the judiciary and media, provincial governors and leading business figures,” Foreign Minister Bob Carr said. Australia has announced a three-stage plan to lift the sanctions, which include travel and financial restrictions against 153 individuals and four entities. They also include an arms embargo. ZANU-PF has scoffed at the lifting of sanctions in bits and pieces and believes the targetting of so-called reform-minded individuals is meant to sow divisions within the party.
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