Zimbabwe sanctions: What would they be?

Defiant Mugabe says EU's attitude is "colonial"

BBC News Online looks at the "targeted" sanctions the European Union is considering imposing on Zimbabwe if EU observers and journalists are not given free access to cover next month's presidential elections, and their likely impact.

What "targeted sanctions" would mean:

• European travel ban on some 20 top individuals in Mugabe's inner circle and their families

• Freezing of assets and foreign bank accounts held by senior figures in the Mugabe regime who are believed to have sent large sums of money out of Zimbabwe

• Ban on arms exports to Zimbabwe

When would sanctions come into force?

• The European Union has already decided "in principle" to impose sanctions

• But the EU would still have to make a formal decision - possibly within days after the 3 Feb deadline

What would trigger sanctions?

• If the Mugabe government prevents the deployment of European Union election observers by Sunday 3 February, or

• If it later prevents them from operating effectively

• If international media are not given free access to cover the election

• If there is a worsening of the human rights situation or attacks against the opposition

• If the election is not considered free and fair

What impact are the sanctions likely to have?

• Further isolate Mr Mugabe's government and hinder relations with key aid donors and trading partners