Botswana summons Zimbabwe ambassador

Botswana summons Zimbabwe ambassador

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Full text of statement by the government of Botswana on Zimbabwe Issued June 13, 2008:

Gaborone, June 13, 2008 - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation summoned the Ambassador of the Republic of Zimbabwe HE Mr. Thomas Mandigora on June 12, 2008 to express strong concern over the latest arrests and detentions of Opposition leaders Mr. Morgan Tsvangirai, presidential run-off candidate for the MDC Party and Mr. Tendai Biti, Secretary General of the MDC.

Botswana is alarmed by these arrests and detentions as they disrupt electoral activities of key players and intimidate the electorate thus undermining the process of holding a free, fair and democratic election.

We are deeply disturbed by this unfolding situation of politically motivated arrests and intolerance which pose a serious threat to an outcome that reflects the will of the people of Zimbabwe.

The repeated arrests and detentions are unacceptable and deserve condemnation as they violate the Principles and Objectives of the SADC Treaty.

The government of the Republic of Zimbabwe has the primary responsibility to ensure that a climate of peace and security prevails in the run up to the presidential election.

We therefore call upon the government of Zimbabwe to fully assume its responsibilities by putting an end to these acts of political harassment and intimidation to avoid a further deterioration of the situation in that country.
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