EU Eases Sanctions on Zimbabwe The European Union is easing sanctions against Zimbabwe in light of an agreement by the country's political parties on a draft constitution and the announcement of a referendum on it. Foreign ministers from the 27 EU countries meeting Monday in Brussels said that, "recognizing the significance of these advances," the EU was immediately suspending the travel ban it had imposed on six members of the government. It also removed sanctions from 21 other people and one company. The names of those involved are not normally known until they are published in the EU's official journal. The foreign ministers call on all political parties to "maintain the momentum allowing for the holding of democratic elections later this year." President Robert Mugabe announced March 16 as the date for the constitutional referendum.