Zimbabwe could be suspended from Commonwealth unless it stops violating democratic values London The Commonwealth put Zimbabwe on notice yesterday that it could face suspension if it doesn’t halt “persistent violation” of democratic values and the rule of law.

Foreign ministers from the eight-nation Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group, including Canada, Britain, Nigeria and Australia, put Zimbabwe formally on the group’s agenda for the first time. That step could lead toward more serious action such as suspension of technical assistance, trade restrictions and even suspension from the 54-nation Commonwealth.

“The situation in Zimbabwe constitutes a serious and persistent violation of the Commonwealth’s fundamental political values,” the ministers said in a statement, after expressing concern about “continued violence, occupation of property, actions against the freedom and independence of the media and political intimidation.”

“This is a very strong step forward in terms of the Commonwealth process,” Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister John Manley said, insisting that “it could lead to anything up to and including expulsion. “What you’ve had in Zimbabwe is intimidation of opposition parties, intimidation of the judiciary, interference with the media,” Mr. Manley said.

“You’ve had people arrested who were opposition members, for no apparent reason. . . . If that’s not a suspension of democracy, what is?” Canada has already imposed new visa restrictions on Zimbabwe’s citizens and tightened up the rules on support from the Canadian International Development Agency. But Mr. Manley said he didn’t see much point in imposing economic sanctions on Zimbabwe.

“Mr. Mugabe has imposed sanctions himself,” he said. “His economy is in a complete tailspin. What more could the international community do to his country that he hasn’t done already?”

The ministers’ statement is the strongest yet from the Commonwealth since the crisis began in Zimbabwe last year. President Robert Mugabe has orchestrated the often violent occupation of hundreds of white-owned farms by his political followers and has used intimidation in an effort to destroy his political opponents. Scores have been killed in the confrontations.

The land seizures, aimed at redistributing farmland to landless peasants, have resulted in an economic catastrophe. Agricultural production has fallen sharply; Zimbabweans are fleeing the country in search of jobs in South Africa, and the country faces severe food shortages.

Concern is growing that the situation will deteriorate further in the runup to presidential elections in March. Already, Mr. Mugabe has proposed a law that would restrict freedom of the press severely and another that would allow only civil servants to monitor the vote.

He suffered a setback yesterday when Zimbabwe’s Parliament adjourned for the balance of the year without passing either of the controversial laws. Yesterday, British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw called the new measures, including the threat of imprisonment for criticizing the President, “preposterous.” The Commonwealth has been monitoring the deteriorating situation for months, but until yesterday hadn’t formally taken up the plight of Zimbabwe.

The Action Group said it will review the situation again at its next meeting on Jan. 30 and expects improvements from Zimbabwe, including assurance that formal invitations will be issued to international election observers.