HARDtalk
with Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for International Development
On
BBC News 24's HARDtalk tonight (Tuesday 16 December 2003) Tim Sebastian
talks to Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for International Development.
The
Commonwealth summit is over but has been overshadowed by Zimbabwe's
decision to withdraw from the body.
The
issue split Commonwealth leaders, with South Africa, Mozambique,
Namibia and Zambia opposing the suspension.
Britain
led the campaign to keep the pressure on Zimbabwe. The Foreign Secretary,
Jack Straw, said that Zimbabwe would regret its decision and pointed
out that, "President Mugabe will not be there for ever".
Many
observers warn that Mr Mugabe's move has in effect removed any leverage
or pressure that Commonwealth leaders can use with Zimbabwe.
One
of Britain's newest Cabinet Ministers, Hilary Benn, says that Zimbabwe
faces an "acute humanitarian crisis".
Tim
Sebastian asks him how he can help to bring the crisis in Zimbabwe
to a satisfactory resolution.
HARDtalk
is on BBC News 24 at 11.30pm.
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