[Rasklad]

From BBC

Zimbabwe 'ready for UK invasion'


Robert Mugabe's government is subject to EU sanctions
The Zimbabwean government has accused the UK of plotting an invasion and considering assassinations of the country's political leadership.

Presidential spokesman George Charamba said Harare remained ready to defend itself against the "sinister threats".

He was responding to comments by a former British general Lord Guthrie in a UK newspaper a week ago.

Lord Guthrie recalled advising the ex-Prime Minister Tony Blair against invading Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe has often accused its former colonial ruler of attempts to interfere in its internal affairs, in part out of concern for white farmers - many of British origin - whose farms have been seized and redistributed.

But the UK accuses the government of President Robert Mugabe of gross human rights violations and of creating a "tragedy" in Zimbabwe.

Invasion considered

In a frank interview with the UK's Independent on Sunday on 11 November, Lord Guthrie told the newspaper he had had a close relationship with Mr Blair.

"We used to talk about things," he said. "I could say anything to him because he knew I wasn't going to spill the beans."


Former head of the British armed forces Lord Guthrie in 2000
My advice was, 'Hold hard, you'll make it worse'
Lord Guthrie, former head of the UK armed forces on a possible invasion

Among the subjects they discussed, the newspaper reported, was an invasion of Zimbabwe, "which people were always trying to get me to look at. My advice was, 'Hold hard, you'll make it worse.'"

In his comments on Sunday, Mr Charamba told the official Sunday Mail newspaper that the Zimbabwean leadership had been aware of a threat of invasion.

"The government was aware of the plans and the president made reference to the sinister [British] motives on several occasions," he was quoted as saying.

"A defence plan had been operationalised and in fact, it is still in operation. We were also aware that short of a fully-fledged invasion, the British were and are still contemplating the elimination of our political leadership through a number of assassinations," said Mr Charamba.

'British interests'

Mr Charamba said the British government wanted to stage the invasion in pursuit of British national interests - and in particular the control of Zimbabwe's resources.

"Britain views Zimbabwe's white community as an extension of its nation and the invasion would not have been about politics but about British interests," said Mr Charamba.

Mr Mugabe, 83, faces a travel ban in Europe and his government is subject to EU sanctions. In addition to rights abuses, Western powers accuse him of bringing his country's economy to the brink of collapse.

Mr Mugabe says his country's economic hardships are down to Western sabotage.
I hear inflation is now 14,000%. Sad to see the steep decline of this country.

[tattcasetle]

Like Zimbabwe would be so lucky - that country's economy is one of the worst wreck's in the world... incompetent government faced by a worthless disorganized opposition.

[tramadolwithall]

^very true.

Alonzo - you surely know that this kind of subject will attract the ramblings of a certain attorney.

Just wait a couple of days........

[TessUnsonia]

If you think you have worries about your economy and election:


Zimbabwe vote review call spurned


The opposition says President Mugabe should stand down

Anxiety in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe's main opposition leader has rejected calls by President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party to re-check the presidential election results.

Morgan Tsvangirai said such a move would be illegal and impractical.

Eight days after the poll, the country's election commission has yet to announce the results.

The High Court in Zimbabwe has said it will rule on Monday on an opposition petition demanding the immediate release of the poll results.

A judge at the court in the capital in Harare said he would first consider an argument by the Zimbabwean Electoral Commission (ZEC) that his court did not have jurisdiction.


It's ridiculous and absurd to talk of a recount before you know what the result is
Morgan Tsvangirai

Mr Tsvangirai, who leads the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), has claimed victory in the election and called on Mr Mugabe to step down to allow a peaceful handover of power.

He has accused the 84-year-old ruler - in power since independence in 1980 - of plotting a campaign of violence to stay in office.

Farms 'invaded'

Zanu-PF called for a delay in declaring the results because of "errors and miscalculations" in their compilation.

Mr Tsvangirai responded: "It's ridiculous and absurd to talk of a recount before you know what the result is.

"What we know is that within 48 hours, you can ask for a recount at the voting station. In this case, the results have already been collected at all voting stations, so what kind of a recount are they talking about?

Morgan Tsvangirai at a press conference in Harare (5 April 2008)
The MDC says Mr Tsvangirai took more than 50% of the presidential vote
"It will not only be illegal, but it will be totally impractical to do so."

Information Minister Bright Matonga told the BBC the anomalies were to do with the collation of the election results - there was a discrepancy between the results put outside polling stations and the form sent to the ZEC.

He insisted the request did not amount to a recount.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe's Commercial Farmers' Union said a number of white-owned farms had been briefly invaded by self-styled war veterans' groups loyal to Mr Mugabe in southern Masvingo.

A spokesman said the situation was under control after police intervened to disperse them.

The ZEC has declared the final results of last week's Senate election. It said Mr Mugabe's party had won 30 seats, with the combined opposition taking the same number.

In the lower house, opposition parties took 109 seats, while Zanu-PF won just 97 - the first time it has failed to win a majority since independence.

Mr Mugabe came to power 28 years ago on a wave of optimism.

But in recent years Zimbabwe has been plagued by the world's highest inflation, as well as acute food and fuel shortages, which correspondents say have driven many voters to back the opposition.

[glasscollector]

Zimbabwe inflation hits 165,000%

A 10 million Zimbabwe dollar note was issued this year

Zimbabwe's soaring inflation hit an annual rate of almost 165,000% in February, official figures show.

Continuing shortages of food and fuel helped to push up inflation from January's rate of 100,000%.

Government officials say the shortages make it hard to work out inflation with any degree of accuracy.

About 80% of the country's population lives in poverty and it is estimated that three million people have left the country for a new life in South Africa.

New notes

The economy has been in trouble for several years, with supplies of basic foodstuffs, cooking oil and petrol all running low.

The central bank has introduced new banknotes to cope with the spiralling prices.

Last month it issued a 10 million Zimbabwe dollar note.

The leadership of Zimbabwe is in doubt following elections last month.

Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai will not contest a run-off election unless certain conditions are met, a spokesman for his party says.

Mr Tsvangirai's party, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), believes he won last month's election against President Robert Mugabe outright.

[Donadoni1809]

No-one thinks Mugabe won - Brown

Gordon Brown addressing the UN Security Council
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has told world leaders that "no-one thinks" Robert Mugabe won last month's presidential election in Zimbabwe.

At a UN Security Council meeting, he said voters had "shown their commitment to democracy" and a "stolen election would not be an election at all".

Mr Brown warned that the UK and others "stand ready to support Zimbabweans".

Earlier, Mr Brown had talks with UN General Secretary Ban Ki-moon, as his three-day US visit got under way.

The two men discussed the elections crisis in Zimbabwe, as well as Darfur and Kosovo, an aide said.

'Strong message'

But a meeting between Mr Brown and South African President Thabo Mbeki - seen as the key player in dealings with Mr Mugabe - was postponed until later on Wednesday because of scheduling problems.

Addressing the Security Council, of which the UK will hold the presidency next month, Mr Brown said: "Three weeks ago the people of Zimbabwe sent a strong message of their commitment to democracy."

The credibility of the democratic process depends on there being a legitimate government

Gordon Brown

He added that the UK was "working to ensure that the will of the people of Zimbabwe is upheld".

Mr Brown said: "No one thinks, having seen the result at the polling stations, that President Mugabe has won this election.

"A stolen election would not be an election at all. The credibility of the democratic process depends on there being a legitimate government.

"So let a single message go out from here that we are and will be vigilant for democratic rights and that we stand solidly behind democracy and human rights for Zimbabwe and we stand ready to support the Zimbabwean people build a better future."

Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change believes leader Morgan Tsvangirai won last month's election outright.

But this is disputed by the governing Zanu-PF party, with the full results not yet released.

Earlier this week, Mr Mugabe, in power since Zimbabwe achieved independence in 1980, dismissed Mr Brown as a "tiny dot in this world".

[Efonukmp]

'Arrests' after Zimbabwe strike

Zimbabwe police said they arrested people for obstruction

More than 50 Zimbabwean opposition supporters have been arrested after staging a strike, the party says.

Police have accused the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) of trying to incite violence with their strike call, in protest at delayed poll results.

But a coalition of Zimbabwean doctors said its members had seen and treated more than 150 people who had been beaten and tortured since the polls.

International concern has been raised at a UN Security Council session.

The special meeting, called by South African's leader Thabo Mbeki, was supposed to be about how the UN can work with the African Union to bring peace to the Africa's conflicts, from Somalia to Sudan's Darfur region.

But leaders have used the opportunity to address the Zimbabwe issue.

No-one thinks - having seen the results at polling stations - that President Mugabe has won this election

Gordon Brown
UK Prime Minister


UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said the absence of a transparent solution to the impasse could mean the "situation could deteriorate further, with the serious implications for the people of Zimbabwe".

"The international community continues to watch and wait for decisive action," he said.

UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown added: "No-one thinks - having seen the results at polling stations - that President Mugabe has won this election.

"A stolen election would not be a democratic election at all," he said. "The credibility of the democratic process depends on there being a legitimate government."

Mr Brown, and other Western officials, are expected to meet Mr Mbeki privately.

The European Union presidency, currently held by Slovenia, has also expressed concern about "the prolonged and unexplained delay in releasing the presidential results which is undermining the credibility of the process".

Agenda

In Zimbabwe, the MDC's spokesman Nelson Chamisa said the more than 50 arrests were countrywide - relating to minor skirmishes in townships around the capital, Harare and Bulawayo.


South Africa's president is coming under pressure from politicians and protesters to use his influence


One of those arrested is reported to be Chitungwiza MP Marvelous Khumalo.

Zimbabwean police reported arresting 30 MDC supporters for obstruction and intimidation.

Those arrested were found either "barricading roads and stopping people from going to work", "obstructing the free movement of traffic" or intimidating people who went to work, police said.

The MDC's national executive is meeting to decide whether to continue with further strike action. The party had wanted people to stay at home until the presidential election results were released.

But local journalist Brian Hungwe in Harare says most banks, shops and offices opened as usual and armed police and soldiers were on patrol.

MDC Secretary General Tendai Biti told the BBC on Tuesday that two of its activists had been killed and 200 hospitalised after being assaulted by ruling party militias.

The independent Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR), in a separate statement, said its members had treated 157 people between the elections and 14 April who had injuries that clearly resulted from organised violence and torture.

"One third of the patients are women, including a 15-year-old girl who was abducted with her mother from her home, made to lie on her front and beaten on her buttocks," they said in a statement quoted by AFP news agency.

"Her mother, who is pregnant, was similarly beaten. Both mother and daughter required hospital admission."

Nine patients had broken bones, mostly in their arms or hands, the statement said, adding that some of the injured would have permanent disabilities.

Regional influence

The election commission says it cannot release the results until a recount in some areas is completed at the weekend.

The situation is more worrying now given the reported violence that has erupted in the country

Jacob Zuma
ANC leader

Independent counts suggest MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai won the election but took less than 50% of the vote, meaning he would face a run-off.

His party says he will not contest a run-off unless there is a secure environment, with thorough international monitoring.

As the UN Security Council met in New York, activists flew a giant banner above the UN, calling on President Mbeki to use his influence with Zimbabwe's leader Robert Mugabe.

Mr Mbeki would prefer the issue to be kept out of the limelight, but he has come under pressure from his own party, the ANC, which is split over whether South Africa should be doing more.

Breaking with President Mbeki's assurance that there is no crisis, the leader of the ANC, Jacob Zuma, said: "The region cannot afford a deepening crisis in Zimbabwe."

"The situation is more worrying now given the reported violence that has erupted in the country."

[kenowinnumberss]

Zimbabwe is a rare nation whose future is truly uncharted - it could end up anything from a Somalia like collapsed hole where a nation used to be to a bright future, if a new government comes in and undoes the mess Mugabe made. Unfortunately it looks every day more and more like a future Somalia.

[paydayloanfasters]

Robert Mugabe 'mobilising command centres for national terror campaign'

By Peta Thornycroft in Harare
Last Updated: 8:06pm BST 18/04/2008

Hundreds of "command centres" led by war veterans in police uniforms are being established across Zimbabwe to wage a national terror campaign, The Daily Telegraph can disclose.

South Africa helps ship arms to Zimbabwe
In pictures: Mugabe attacks Britain in his first speech since the elections

These centres are responsible for keeping President Robert Mugabe in power through intimidation, violence and ballot-rigging.

Watch: Robert Mugabe hits out at Britain in his Independence Day speech

By these methods, the regime plans to guarantee victory for Mr Mugabe in the presidential election's second round.

Three weeks after the poll's first round, no official results have been announced, but the regime has publicly acknowledged that Mr Mugabe fell short of the 50 per cent threshold needed to avoid a run-off.

A senior army officer and a police chief described the president's re-election plan to The Daily Telegraph in Harare.

At national level, the effort is being overseen by the Joint Operations Command, a committee of armed service chiefs.
The two sources attended a meeting in a rural province on Monday morning.

This gathering, which included traditional chiefs and local politicians, was addressed by two senior members of Mr Mugabe's regime.

They said that "command centres" will be established in all the province's local government wards. Zimbabwe has about 1,800 of these wards.
advertisement

The network will probably not cover the cities, all strongholds of support for Morgan Tsvangirai, the opposition leader. Instead, they will be concentrated in the rural areas where 70 per cent of Zimbabweans live.

Each command centre will consist of three policemen, one soldier, and a war veteran who will be in charge.

They will dispatch militias, comprised of war veterans and the ruling Zanu-PF party's youth wing, to assault and torture known opposition supporters.

They will also control the local police to ensure that the militias are immune from arrest.

A terror campaign of this kind, organised in the same way, delivered victory for Mr Mugabe in the parliamentary and presidential polls of 2000 and 2002.

Victims are likely to be taken to the "command centres" for beatings and torture.

Telegraph journalist Stephen Bevan freed in Zimbabwe
Robert Mugabe stole Zimbabwe election, Gordon Brown tells UN

In the past, Zanu-PF's torture methods have included stripping victims naked and dripping burning plastic over their bodies.

At the meeting on Monday, a senior member of the regime told the chiefs that a "black against black" war will start if Mr Mugabe loses.

He added that even if the United Nations deploys peacekeepers, by then people will have died.

"You have to defend the revolution," said the politician. "If you don't and it is sold through the ballot we will go back to the bush and fight."

Hundreds of people have been assaulted and at least two murdered since the election on March 29.

 Mr Mugabe today claimed credit for introducing democracy in Zimbabwe.

Speaking on the 28th anniversary of independence from British rule, he said: "Today we hear the British saying there's no democracy here, people are being oppressed, there's dictatorship, there's no observance of human rights, rule of law.

"We, not the British, established democracy based on one person, one vote. We are the ones who brought democracy to this country, we are the ones who removed the oppression which was here."


Copyright 2008 The Daily Telegraph.

[TopcigsCOM]

Zimbabwe arms ship quits S Africa


Reports say the ship is carrying millions of rounds of ammunition

A Chinese ship carrying arms destined for Zimbabwe has been forced to leave the South African port of Durban four days after failing to unload.
Earlier, a South African judge ruled that the cargo of rocket-propelled grenades, mortar rounds and ammunition could not be transported overland.
Human rights groups had petitioned for a block on the arms and dockers had refused to unload the shipment.

Some fear Zimbabwe will use the arms to repress political opposition.

The country has yet to publish the results of its presidential election on 29 March, which the MDC opposition says was won outright by its candidate Morgan Tsvangirai.

President Robert Mugabe denounced the opposition on Friday in his first speech since the election, saying "thieves" were trying to steal the country.

Incommunicado
According to the South African news agency Sapa, the ship upped anchor between 1800 (1600 GMT) and 1900 (1700 GMT).


The ship's master, who earlier identified himself as Captain Sunaijun, could not be reached by telephone, the agency added, quoting anonymous sources.
The transponder aboard the An Yue Jiang was not responding on Friday evening, the BBC's Adam Mynott reports from Durban.

The head of an independent human rights group monitoring the vessel said it was heading for Mozambique, en route to landlocked Zimbabwe.

Nicole Fritz, director of the Southern Africa Litigation Center, said her group aimed to pursue the issue with Mozambique.

Her group had called for the blocking of a permit allowing the arms to be offloaded from the An Yue Jiang and transported.

South Africa's government had said it could not legally prevent the arms being transported through the country but the high court in Durban ruled that the cargo could not be moved overland, though it could be discharged in the port.

'Nothing to do with us'
The ship contains three million rounds of ammunition for AK-47s, 1,500 rocket-propelled grenades and several thousand mortar rounds, according to South Africa's Mail and Guardian newspaper.

The weapons are packed in large red and blue containers piled high on the ship's decks.

There are Chinese crew on board and the ship is flying both the Chinese and South African flags, our correspondent said after going to look at the ship anchored 18km (11 miles) from the entrance to Durban harbour.

The Mail and Guardian reports that a subsidiary of a state-owned South African company, Armscor, was approached to handle the transport of the weapons after several private companies refused to handle the cargo due to its sensitivity.

South African Defence Secretary January Masilela said the country's National Conventional Arms Control Committee had given approval for the transit of the weapons.

"If the buyer is the Zimbabwean sovereign government and the seller is the Chinese sovereign government, South Africa has nothing to do with that," he said.
Mr Masilela added that there was no United Nations or African Union embargo on weapons sales to Zimbabwe.

Speaking in New York, South African President Thabo Mbeki echoed his defence secretary's comments.

Several Western countries have banned arms shipments to Zimbabwe, as has the European Union.

'Military regime'
With continuing tension in Zimbabwe over the failure of the authorities to issue results from the presidential election three weeks ago, the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu) said it would be "grossly irresponsible" to allow the cargo through.

"The South African government cannot be seen as propping up a military regime," said Satawu General Secretary Randall Howard.

Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai said the weapons were not needed because Zimbabwe was not at war. Zimbabwean Deputy Information Minister Bright Matonga insisted no country had the right to stop the arms entering his country. For its part, China says the shipment is part of normal trade relations with Zimbabwe, adding that "one of the most important principles is not to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries".


Copyright 2008 BBC News24

[BonjGopu]

Concern Grows Over Zimbabwe Shipment

Updated:13:40, Saturday April 19, 2008

A ship carrying weapons thought to be destined for the regime of Zimbabwe's President Mugabe has sailed away from the port of Durban.

Arms shipment has left Durban port

A South African judge ruled its cargo of rocket-propelled grenades, mortar rounds and ammunition could not be transported overland.
At first it was thought the ship would head for Mozambique but it appears to be heading back down the South African coast, towards the port of East London.

Dockers has earlier refused to unload the vessel because of fears they would be used to crack down on Mr Mugabe's election opponents.

South African unions have been critical of SA President Thabo Mbeki's handling of the Zimbabwe elections and believe he should have taken a tougher line.

The incident comes as a partial recount of votes from the country's general election begins in 23 constituencies.

The election commission is still to declare the outcome of the March 29 presidential election.

Electoral officials deliver ballot boxes ahead of a recount outside Harare

The recounts are being conducted following a string of complaints by Mr Mugabe's ZANU-PF party of irregularities in the initial vote counting.

The opposition Movement for Democratic Change has denounced the recount as a ploy to steal back control of parliament and says it won't accept the outcome.

"We as a party will not accept any recount in respect of parliamentary seats," said MDC secretary-general Tendai Biti.

"We have no doubt on the insistence of a recount because ballot boxes have been stuffed.

"Those ballot boxes have become pregnant and reproduced."
The party's leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, has already proclaimed himself the victor over Mr Mugabe in the presidential poll.

Copyright 2008 Sky News.

[ggiifdfalls]

Would be a shame if there happened to be a fire on that there boat.

Amazing what a misplaced cigarette, and a few gallons of gas can do to a shipload of explosives en-route to help, um, "support" an election......

[PerfectCreditForYou]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...200497_pf.html
By MATTHEW LEE
The Associated Press
Tuesday, April 22, 2008; 4:24 AM

WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration is intervening with governments in southern Africa to prevent a Chinese ship carrying weapons for Zimbabwe's security forces from unloading its cargo, The Associated Press has learned.

At the same time, the State Department's top Africa hand, Jendayi Frazer, plans to visit the region this week to underscore U.S. concerns about the shipment. Frazer also will try to persuade Zimbabwe's neighbors to step up pressure on President Robert Mugabe's government to publish results from a disputed election that the opposition claims to have won, administration officials said Monday.

U.S. intelligence agencies are tracking the vessel, the An Yue Jiang, and American diplomats have been instructed to press authorities in at least four nations _ South Africa, Mozambique, Namibia and Angola _ not to allow it to dock, the officials told The Associated Press. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity in order to discuss delicate diplomatic talks.

The ship, which is laden with large amounts of weapons and ammunition, already has been turned away from South Africa and Mozambique, and is now believed to be headed for Angola, possibly with a refueling stop in Namibia. The freighter left South Africa after a judge on Friday barred the arms from transiting South Africa and it was not immediately clear if U.S. lobbying had influenced authorities in Mozambique who stopped it from docking over the weekend.

Two officials said Washington's effort to block the ship from unloading its cargo was now concentrated on Namibia and Angola and that both countries were being told that allowing the An Yue Jiang to dock could harm their relations with the United States.

There are fears that the arms, which include mortar grenades and bullets, could be used by Mugabe's regime to expand a clampdown on opposition supporters. The government has refused to publish the results of presidential elections held three weeks ago, and there are reports of increasing violence against the opposition.

In Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu called the military shipment a normal commercial transaction. She told a regular news conference Tuesday that the contract on the shipment was signed last year and that the shipment was not related to the current internal situation in Zimbabwe. "The issue should not be politicized," she said.

South Africa's main trade union confederation has called on workers in other African countries to follow the example of South African dock and freight workers who said Friday they would not unload the ship or transport its cargo.

The State Department endorsed that position on Monday.

"Given Zimbabwe's current electoral crisis, we do share the concerns ... that these arms could be used against individuals who are merely trying to freely express their political will," said Kurtis Cooper, a department spokesman.

"We call on the Zimbabwe government to immediately cease the perpetration of brutal acts against its citizens and strongly urge the regional leadership to enhance its intervention for an expeditious solution to the postelection crisis," Cooper said.

The comments, prepared ahead of an expected announcement that Frazer will travel to southern Africa, come as the Bush administration has grown increasingly impatient with Mugabe _ whose recent rule Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice last week called "an abomination" _ and with Zimbabwe's neighbors for not taking a harder line against the octogenarian leader.

The 14-nation Southern African Development Community, known as SADC, has been unwilling to take the tough stand on Zimbabwe as called for by western countries, notably Britain and the United States.

Part of Frazer's planned trip is aimed at rallying support for action from SADC members, whose leaders met in a mid-April summit on Zimbabwe but could agree only on a weak declaration that failed to criticize the absent Mugabe, officials said.

© 2008 The Associated Press
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[BostonDoctorTTT]

I wonder why?

The 14-nation Southern African Development Community, known as SADC, has been unwilling to take the tough stand on Zimbabwe as called for by western countries, notably Britain and the United States. http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS....ap/index.html

[eCw56dzY]

Mugabe condemns opposition 'lies'



President Mugabe blames the opposition for violence

Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe has accused the opposition of lying about political violence in the country to cast doubt on forthcoming polls.

The opposition says at least 70 of its supporters have been killed and many more beaten in the run-up to next week's presidential run-off election.

He also told supporters that "only God" could remove him from office.

Meanwhile the opposition MDC says a court has overturned a police ban on a major rally on Sunday in Harare.

Opposition spokesman Nelson Chamisa said the leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), Morgan Tsvangirai, planned to attend the event.

Police have banned a series of opposition gatherings, leading the MDC to say it was being forced to campaign in virtual secrecy.


Mr Mugabe told supporters at a campaign rally in the southern city of Bulawayo on Friday that he would "never allow an event like an election to reverse our independence, our sovereignty."

"Only God who appointed me will remove me - not the MDC, not the British," he said.

The BBC's Peter Biles in Johannesburg says President Mugabe has given another indication that he will not relinquish power as a result of a poll.

Mr Mugabe has accused the MDC of acting in the interest of Britain, the former colonial power, and other Western countries.

He was also quoted by the state-run Herald newspaper as saying that MDC leaders had been compiling names of people they say are victims of political violence.

"They say this so that they can later say the elections were not free and fair. Which is a damn lie!" he said.

Intimidation

Mr Mugabe's police chief, Augustine Chihuri, has claimed that the MDC is the main culprit in the current political violence.

"All necessary force will be applied on malcontents and perpetrators of violence," he said.

"This violence is aimed at intimidating people from voting."

Zanu-PF supporters filmed by US embassy staff in Harare township

The MDC is to announce on Monday whether it will contest the 27 June poll, a party source has told the BBC.

Mr Tsvangirai - who is due to face Mr Mugabe in the run-off - is reported to be under pressure to pull out in view of escalating pre-poll violence.

New footage emerged on Friday, shot by US embassy staff, showing ruling party militias armed with sticks apparently hunting for MDC supporters in a township in the capital, Harare.

Zimbabwe's immediate neighbours have added their voice to increasing international concern over the validity of the run-off.

On Friday Angolan President Jose Eduardo Dos Santos, one of Mr Mugabe's closest allies, has urged him to stop the violence.

Tanzanian Foreign Minister Bernard Membe, head of an election monitoring team, told the BBC earlier this week that violence appeared to be "escalating throughout Zimbabwe".

Nigerian Nobel-winning writer Wole Soyinka told the BBC that Mr Mugabe had ruined Zimbabwe with a "scorched earth policy" and that Zimbabweans were primed to "throw off this yoke by all means necessary".

'Charade'

In Brussels, the European Union has drafted a summit statement saying it is ready to take unspecified "additional measures against those responsible for violence".

A former Zimbabwean police officer tells of how he was threatened

The EU already has an arms embargo against Zimbabwe and has placed travel bans on - and frozen the assets of - President Mugabe and senior government and ruling Zanu-PF party officials.

Mr Mugabe - who has ruled Zimbabwe since independence in 1980 - blames Western sanctions for causing the country's economic freefall.

The MDC suffered at least five violent deaths of activists or their family members this week and its secretary general, Tendai Biti, was charged with treason and subversion.

"Differences of opinion" have emerged among the party's senior officials over its next move, MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa told the BBC after the leadership met in Harare on Friday.

The party, he said, needed to assess the situation in the country but if conditions did not change, the vote would be a "charade".

"We are assessing the situation as some areas are inaccessible," he added.

"People are being abducted at night. Our grass-roots activists are being subjected to terror. Some of them are staying in the bushes and mountains to avoid pro-government militias.

[VewCoorkPow]

Mugabe rival quits election race

From BBC




Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai says he is pulling out of Friday's presidential run-off, handing victory to President Robert Mugabe.

Mr Tsvangirai said there was no point running when elections would not be free and fair and "the outcome is determined by... Mugabe himself".

He called on the global community to step in to prevent "genocide".

But the ruling Zanu-PF said Mr Tsvangirai had taken the decision to avoid "humiliation" in the poll.

The opposition decision came after its supporters, heading to a rally in the capital Harare, came under attack.


Mugabe will remain unopposed to seek revenge and retribution on all who stood for democracy and change
Sam, St Lucia

The opposition Movement for Democratic Change says at least 70 supporters have been killed in recent months.

At a press conference in Harare on Sunday, Mr Tsvangirai said: "We in the MDC have resolved that we will no longer participate in this violent, illegitimate sham of an election process."

"We will not play the game of Mugabe," he added.

He called on the United Nations, African Union and the southern African grouping SADC to intervene to prevent a "genocide" in Zimbabwe.

Tsvangirai quits election race

Zimbabwe's Information Minister Sikhanyiso Ndlovu told the BBC that Mr Tsvangirai pulled out the vote because he faced "humiliation and defeat" at the hands of President Mugabe, who he said would win "resoundingly".

"Unfortunately," he said, the opposition leader's decision was "depriving the people of Zimbabwe of a vote".

Rally blocked

BBC Africa analyst Martin Plaut says the key question now is what Thabo Mbeki, president of Zimbabwe's powerful neighbour South Africa, will do.

He is in the best position to step up the pressure on Mr Mugabe, since Zimbabwe is so economically dependent on South Africa, our analyst says.


Some opposition supporters at the rally were captured and beaten

South Africa immediately responded to the news by calling on the MDC to continue talks to try to find a political solution.

"We are very encouraged that Mr Tsvangirai, himself, says he is not closing the door completely on negotiations," said a spokesman for Mr Mbeki.

On Sunday, the MDC was due to stage a rally in Harare - the highlight of the campaign.

But supporters of Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF occupied the stadium venue and roads leading up to it.

Witnesses reported seeing hundreds of youths around the venue wielding sticks, some chanting slogans, and others circling the stadium crammed onto the backs of trucks.

Some set upon opposition activists, leaving a number badly injured, the MDC said.

It said African election monitors were also chased away from the rally site.

Beatings and arrests

The MDC says Morgan Tsvangirai won the presidential election outright during the first round in March.

The government admits he won more votes than President Mugabe, but says he did not take enough to win outright.


Robert Mugabe has said only God will remove him from power

But in recent weeks, as the run-off approached, the MDC said it had found campaigning near impossible.

Its members have been beaten, and its supporters evicted from their homes, forcing it to campaign in near secrecy.

Mr Tsvangirai was arrested several times, and the party's secretary general, Tendai Biti, has been held and charged with treason.

The BBC's Peter Biles, in Johannesburg, says Mr Mugabe has made clear he will never relinquish power, saying only God could remove him.

While Mr Tsvangirai's move will hand victory to Mr Mugabe, it is unclear whether the international community or election observers will confer any legitimacy on the process, our correspondent says.

[LfYaRf1S]

Just one reason for him to hang on to power.

http://www.news-alliance.com/mugabes...e_mansion.html

[Frierlovene]

Zimbabwe knocks 10 zeros off currency amid world's highest inflation

Mark Tran and agencies
guardian.co.uk,
Thursday July 31 2008


A 100bn Zimbabwean dollar note in a box of apples in Harare. Photograph: Philimon Bulawayo/Reuters


Zimbabwe is knocking 10 zeros off its currency because its computers and ATMs cannot handle basic transactions in billions and trillions of dollars.

The revaluing - which turns Z$10bn into Z$1 - was announced by the central bank governor, Gideon Gono yesterday and will take effect tomorrow.

It comes a week after the issue of a Z$100bn note - still not enough to buy a loaf of bread.

Gono said the new money would be launched with Z$500 notes and added that he was reintroducing coins, which have been obsolete for years.

Zimbabwe has the world's highest inflation rate, which is officially running at 2.2m% but which independent economists say is closer to 12.5m%.

John Robertson, an economist, said the new bills would soon be worthless as the rate of inflation continued to soar. What cost 50p at the beginning of the month could cost £10 by the end, he added.

"This is attending only to the symptoms of the problem," he told the Associated Press.

"The real problem is the scarcity of everything driving up the prices. The government has not only caused the scarcities but damaged our ability to fix the problem."

The Zimbabwean president, Robert Mugabe, yesterday threatened to impose a state of emergency if businesses profiteered from the economic crisis, potentially giving him even more sweeping powers if political power-sharing talks fail.

"Entrepreneurs across the board, don't drive us further," he warned in a nationally televised address after the currency announcement.

"If you drive us even more, we will impose emergency measures ... they can be tough rules."

The South African president, Thabo Mbeki, flew to Zimbabwe yesterday for further mediation in the country's political crisis.

Power-sharing talks, which began last week, have become bogged down over Mugabe's insistence that he should lead any unity government.

Officials said the issue of what position the opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, should hold in a new administration was also causing difficulties.

"We are still negotiating ... we want to succeed," Mugabe said in his televised address. "You find room for compromise, but sometimes compromise is difficult."

Mbeki told reporters that talks would resume in South Africa on Sunday.
In an interview with Channel 4 yesterday, Tsvangirai yesterday described Mugabe as "human as everyone else".

However, he said the president was "in denial" about the economic problems and political violence that have wracked the country.

Tsvangirai added that he and Mugabe had a 90-minute dinner together last week.

Mugabe blames Zimbabwe's economic collapse on profiteers and US and EU sanctions, but economists say the crisis has been triggered by an ill-conceived land reform programme.

Land was seized from white farmers and given out to Mugabe supporters in the government and army who had no experience of farming.

The worsening conditions have eroded the popularity of Mugabe, who has ruled Zimbabwe for 28 years.

He finished second behind Tsvangirai in a March presidential election, but won the June runoff after his rival dropped out following violence in which more than 120 opposition activists died.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008...feed=worldnews

© Guardian News and Media Limited 2008

[pitoufsd]

You immediately think of Germany's inflation in the 1930s, but this may set a new standard.