submitted its report to the secretary-general in early 2002, concluding that: “while the political philosophy and socio-economic rationale of the Fast Track land reform and resettlement programme as defined by the Government of Zimbabwe remain sound, the current scope of the Fast Track represents and over-reach of the original objectives as stated by the Government. In addition, the manner in which [the] programme is being pursued, while legal because of the many changes in the law, has not provided any scope for formal debate either among elected officials, or among those who will lose and those who will benefit.”185 In January 2002, SecretaryGeneral Annan issued a statement in which he “encourages the Government of Zimbabwe to implement fully and faithfully the actions it has promised to take, including ensuring freedom of speech and assembly, admitting international observers, investigating political violence and scrupulously respecting the rule of law.”186 U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson added her support for his statement.187 The Organization of African Unity The OAU Assembly of Heads of State and Government meeting in Lusaka in July 2001 adopted a resolution on the land question in Zimbabwe. Overruling a resolution adopted by the OAU foreign ministers preparing for the summit, which had fully backed Zimbabwe in its confrontation with Britain, the summit stated in more moderate terms that it “reiterated its demand for Britain to honour its colonial obligation to fund the land resettlement programme in Zimbabwe in accordance with the Lancaster House Agreement” and “called on Britain to cooperate fully and enter into dialogue with the Government of Zimbabwe with the purpose of finding a final solution to this colonial legacy.” The foreign ministers also set up a committee chaired by Nigeria, and comprising Algeria, South Africa, Cameroon, Kenya and Zambia to “coordinate with Zimbabwe at all fora wherever the Zimbabwe land issue is raised.”188 Southern African Development Community Responding to the fast track land reform program, the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) initially took a low key approach. Though President Mugabe was reportedly criticized behind the scenes and urged to end farm occupations, public statements were more conciliatory. In April 2000, President Chissano of Mozambique, speaking for SADC, told reporters that “we think the donors, including Great Britain, have to deliver. They have to fulfil their commitments.”189 As 2000 progressed, and in particular during 2001, it became clear that Zimbabwe’s SADC neighbors were increasingly concerned about the situation in Zimbabwe, though they stopped short of an outright condemnation. In August 2001, in the communiqué following the Blantyre, Malawi, annual summit of SADC, heads of government expressed their concern at the effect of the economic situation in Zimbabwe on the region. The summit appointed a task force comprising Mozambique, South Africa, and Botswana to work with the Zimbabwe government on the economic and political issues affecting Zimbabwe. By November 2001, South Africa’s President Thabo Mbeki, with the apparent support of Botswana, was making it clear that he believed the blame for Zimbabwe’s troubles lay with the policies pursued by its ruling party. The government-owned Herald newspaper castigated Mbeki for caving in to “Britain’s pressure to protect white and colonial economic interests in Zimbabwe.”190 In January 2002, South Africa criticized Zimbabwean defense force commander Genera Vitalis Zvinavashe for comments in which he stated that he could only support a president who had fought in the liberation struggle.191 In December 2001, however, SADC foreign ministers appeared to retreat from the position adopted by the heads of state, stating that they opposed the sanctions proposed by the U.S. and E.U., and believed that “violence on the farms had reduced significantly and that the few reported incidents were being dealt with under the criminal justice system,” and that the government was 185 UNDP Interim Mission Report, January 2002, p.40. “Secretary-General strongly supports SADC efforts to facilitate free, fair elections in Zimbabwe,” M2 Presswire, January 16, 2002. 187 “High Commissioner For Human Rights Concerned Over Deteriorating Situation In Zimbabwe,” UNHCHR, January 16, 2002. 188 “OAU ministers set up special committee on Zimbabwe’s land dispute,” SAPA-AFP, July 8, 2001. 189 “Southern African leaders back Mugabe over land occupations,” cnn.com, April 22, 2000. 190 “State media lash out at ‘Mbeki betrayal,’” South African Press Association (Johannesburg), December 3, 2001. 191 “SA condemns Zimbabwe military,” BBC website, January 11, 2002. 186 Human Rights Watch 41 March 2002, Vol. 14, No. 1 (A)