Zimbabwe could rejoin Commonwealth

HARARE, Zimbabwe, Nov. 25 (UPI) -- Zimbabwe could be readmitted to the Commonwealth in two years if its unity government carries out a wide range of reforms, diplomats say.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown is expected to raise the possibility at a summit in Trinidad this weekend, The Times of London reported Wednesday.

"We want this offer to be on the table to encourage more progress," one diplomat told The Times. "There has been some, but on the human rights front things are grim."

A special Commonwealth committee has been looking at ways of returning the country to the Commonwealth so that it can use its professional networks to assist aid, reconstruction and humanitarian efforts.

Observers say indications from Harare suggest the government would welcome a return to the Commonwealth if the chance arose.

The South African Development Community set a 30-day deadline last month for Zimbabwe's president and prime minister to make progress in resolving their differences.