(c) The crisis in Zimbabwe also has political and rule of law implications, which must be addressed holistically and concurrently. The situation in Zimbabwe poses a threat to the socio-economic stability of the entire sub-region and the continent at large; (d) The need to avoid a division within the Commonwealth, especially at the forthcoming CHOGM in Brisbane, Australia, over the situation in Zimbabwe; and (e) The orderly implementation of the land reform can only be meaningful and sustainable, if carried out with due regard to human rights, rule of law, transparency and democratic principles. The commitment of the Government of Zimbabwe is, therefore, crucial to this process.180 The Zimbabwe delegation gave assurances that, among other things, there would be no further occupation of farm lands, and that the rule of law would be restored to the process of land reform program. The meeting also “welcomed the re-affirmation of the United Kingdom's commitment to a significant financial contribution to such a land reform programme and its undertaking to encourage other international donors to do the same.” Representatives of the War Veterans Association said that they would not be bound by the deal with the Commonwealth. The Commercial Farmers’ Union noted an escalation of violence in the context of farm occupations over the following weeks.181 In December 2001, the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG), set up to assess compliance by Commonwealth members with the Commonwealth Harare Declaration of 1991, which commits Commonwealth members to democratic governance, met and considered the situation in Zimbabwe (among other countries). CMAG noted that the Government of Zimbabwe had not agreed to receive a Commonwealth ministerial mission, and “reiterated its deep concern about the ongoing situation in Zimbabwe especially the continued violence, occupation of property, actions against the freedom and independence of the media and political intimidation. It agreed that the situation in Zimbabwe constitutes a serious and persistent violation of the Commonwealth's fundamental political values and the rule of law as enshrined in the Harare Commonwealth Declaration.”182 In January 2002, CMAG met again. The meeting again “expressed its full support for the process established by the Abuja Agreement” and “looked forward to the publication of the United Nations Development Programme report on equitable and sustainable land reform in Zimbabwe and expressed support for the involvement of the UNDP in this process, as agreed at Abuja” (see below). CMAG further called on the Government of Zimbabwe to ensure amongst other things that: “There is an immediate end to violence and intimidation and that the police and army refrain from party political statements and activities.” The group “noted that the Millbrook Commonwealth Action Programme provides for a range of measures from Commonwealth disapproval to suspension.”183 The meeting was, however, clearly divided along racial lines, with resistance from African and other developing countries to the British call for strong action. United Nations U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan questioned the Zimbabwe government’s approach to land reform at the World Conference Against Racism held in Durban, South Africa, in August 2001. He said land reform had to be credible and legal and required adequate compensation to those whose land was being expropriated. 184 A technical team from the U.N. Development Programme (UNDP) visited Zimbabwe in November 2001, on the request of the Commonwealth and the government of Zimbabwe, to investigate the land reform program and make suggestions for resolution of the land crisis in accordance with the Abuja agreement. The UNDP team 180 Conclusions of the Meeting of the Committee of Commonwealth Foreign Ministers on Zimbabwe, Abuja, Nigeria, September 6, 2001, paragraph 2. 181 “White farmers see major escalation of violence in Zimbabwe,” AFP, October 19, 2001. 182 “Concluding Statement,” 17th Meeting of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group on the Harare Declaration (CMAG), December 20, 2001, available at www.fco.gov.uk, accessed December 21, 2001. 183 “Concluding Statement,” 18th Eighteenth Meeting of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group on the Harare Declaration (CMAG), January 30, 2002 184 “Annan criticizes Zim land grabs,” SAPA, Septemb er 1, 2001. Human Rights Watch 40 March 2002, Vol. 14, No. 1 (A)