Britain says no to Zimbabwe land reform plans

The British government has told Zimbabwe one of its former colonial dependencies that it could put future aid in jeopardy if it proceeds with a plan to seize white-owned lands.

Harare plans to use the land to resettle poor black Zimbabweans.

The British foreign office minister, Tony Lloyd, said Britain had no obligation to compensate white farmers -- something which Zimbabwe has demanded.

Speaking in Harare, Mr Lloyd said the plan failed to meet conditions that would allow Britain to contribute aid, and that the scheme was unlikely to benefit poor landless Zimbabweans.

Mr Lloyd added that Britain was dismayed that previous aid for land reform had not been used productively

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service