to overthrow the legacy of poverty, corruption and tyranny”.Three, perhaps four, countries hold the key to the continent’s future: South Africa itself, a Nigeria now returned to civilian rule, Kenya and – if the civil war there could be ended – the potentially hugely rich Angola. “I could never have imagined I’d be in this position, there’s something miraculous about it all,” he saidThe Hain appointment reflects Mr Cook’s desire to push Africa higher up the political agenda. Once, he said, he spent “decades on the pavement outside, in the rain and snow, sun and wet”, demonstrating against apartheid.Yesterday he was back, a member of the British government wearing a red, green and yellow Soweto cricket tie, to meet the South African high commissioner, Cheryl Carolus – who herself had been persecuted as a member of the then banned African National Congress. If his words yesterday were anything to go by, controversy – if not necessarily results – seems guaranteed.Nothing illustrates the transformation more than Mr Hain’s visit to South Africa House in London yesterday.

“I have a track record on in African affairs and human rights that people won’t be able to brush aside – even when it comes from the old colonial seat of power,” said Mr Hain, who was born in Nairobi, reared in South Africa, and who referred to himself as a “son of Africa”.
Although he comes to the Foreign Office after a solid stint at the Welsh Office, Mr Hain achieved most fame as the Young Liberal radical who led the protests which disrupted the 1969-70 Springbok rugby tour and forced the cancellation of the following summer’s Test cricket series with South Africa.Now, this diplomatic poacher-turned-gamekeeper will be a front-line warrior for the “ethical foreign policy” pursued by Robin Cook, the Foreign Secretary, of whom Mr Hain has been something of a political protege. PETER HAIN, the new Foreign Office minister, served notice yesterday that his background as a leader of the anti-apartheid movement gave him special credibility and authority in the campaign he plans to wage for human rights in Africa and beyond. Although regional governments, especially those where the Greens hold the environment portfolio, continue to resist British beef, the final decision rests with the federal government.. It earlier claimed a need to have the new regime approved by Parliament’s upper chamber, the Bundesrat, which does not meet until September 24.It now seems the delay will be much longer, with discussions in Brussels due to begin in October. However, if the government continues to resist the EU’s edict, it is liable to face court proceedings.”If the conditions are fulfilled [by the British], the Germans would have to allow the meat in,” said a spokeswoman for the EC, Martine Reicherts.”If they don’t, we will study starting an infringement procedure.” The latter is the first step in a process which can result in an EU member state tried in the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg.It is assumed that the German government will not let matters go that far. Ms Fischer, a member of the Green party, pointed out that BSE has not been fully eradicated from the British herd, with 1,500 new cases detected in the first half of this year alone.There had been signs even before yesterday’s announcement that Germany was looking for ways to stall on the decision to lift the ban. The Health Minister, Andrea Fischer said the government believed it was too early to lift the ban and further discussions would be held with representatives of the EC.
Germany wants guarantees that all British beef exports are properly tested, to ensure that none is affected by BSE.

GERMANY IS on a collision course with the European Commission after refusing to lift its ban on the sale of British beef. Although the removal of most hereditary peers this autumn would curb the strong anti-hunting lobby in the Lords, some Labour peers oppose the move and the second chamber could delay the measure.. Ministers could ensure that a backbench bill won Commons approval by providing adequate Parliamentary time, but there would be a question mark over whether it would be passed by the House of Lords. Hunts which refused to adopt a new code of conduct would be refused a licence.”We are trying to create an environment which ends the worst excesses of animal treatment, at the same time as preserving the civil liberties of those who hunt,” said Liberal Democrat MP Lembit Opik, a member of the group.Jack Straw, the Home Secretary, will study the scheme but ministerial sources said last night that it did not go far enough. “It’s not really a compromise, it is more like one side of the argument putting forward its views,” said one source.The pro-hunting Countryside Alliance, welcomed the MPs’ proposal, but it was attacked by the League Against Cruel Sports, who said it would not prevent the chasing and deaths of foxes, deer and hare by packs of hounds.David Coulthread, head of public affairs for the organisation, told BBC Radio 4 : “Nothing short of a full ban will be acceptable to an overwhelming majority of Labour MPs who have made it plain to Jack Straw that is what they expect.”Mr Straw, Mr Blair and other ministers will resume discussions next month and are expected to opt for a private member’s bill rather than a government measure, because Mr Straw is reluctant to see his legislation overshadowed by a pitched Parliamentary battle over hunting. Government sources dismissed the plan, put forward yesterday by the all- party Middle Way group of MPs, as a backdoor way of ensuring that hunting continues.

They said it would not meet Tony Blair’s pledge to outlaw the sport.
The MPs proposed that hunts should apply for a licence, which could be withdrawn if it carried out barbaric practices, such as dogs “digging out” a terrified fox underground. He is said by close colleagues to have been irritated by her behaviour, but determined to draw a line under the affair now. “The Northern Ireland peace process must come first,” said one aide.Friends of Ms Mowlam said that she and Mr Blair concluded that the prospects of kickstarting the peace process this autumn would be enhanced if she remained in her post.. MINISTERS ARE to reject a compromise aimed at ending the stalemate over fox-hunting by allowing hunts to continue if they stamp out its cruellest practices.