Mugabe: No 'imperialist' observers for Zimbabwe elections

Mugabe: No 'imperialist' observers for Zimbabwe elections

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By Agencies

ZIMBABWEAN President Robert Mugabe Thursday said he would not allow "former imperialists" to monitor parliamentary elections in his country next year, a declaration which drew a sympathetic response from a summit of 79 poor and developing countries.

Mugabe blasted British Prime Minister Tony Blair for questioning the state of human rights, freedom and democracy in its former colony and said that is why he would only invite monitors from Africa and developing nations.

"Eleven years I spent in prison fighting for democracy, for one man, one vote and for us now to hear a voice from London saying there is no democracy, no freedom, no human rights observed in Zimbabwe is very offensive and repulsive," Mugabe said.

He said such statements from "narrow-minded little Blair" had made Harare decide "that our elections, whenever they are held, must be supervised by people of our region, people of Africa, people in the Third World.

"We will invite all of you but we will not allow esrtwhile imperialists to come and judge our election," he said to sustained applause at the concluding session of a summit of the African, Caribbean and Pacific group of nations in the Mozambican capital Maputo.

Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano told a news conference after the end of the summit that Mugabe's message had elicited a lot of sympathy.

Chissano said Mugabe had "taken advantage of the situation to clarify his position... many heard that message favourably and with a great deal of sympathy."

Mugabe, who threw out European Union observers before the 2002 presidential elections after accusing them of meddling, is under sanctions from the EU.

In February, EU interior and justice ministers adopted without debate an extended list of 95 Zimbabwean officials -- including Mugabe -- who are banned from entering EU countries and a freeze on their assets.

The EU sanctions, which have entered a third year, also include an embargo on supplies of arms and military equipment to Zimbabwe. The United States has imposed similar restrictions against the southern African country.

Chissano said the ACP would try and mend fences between Zimbabwe, the European Union and the United States.

"We will do all in our power to see that Europe and the United States resume their good relations with Zimbabwe," he said.

"We now need to seek ways and means of assisting Zimbabwe and restoring good relations between Zimbabwe ... and the rest of the world as a whole."
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