US says Zim moves 'a sad step backwards'

US says Zim moves 'a sad step backwards'

• Rights groups condemn constitutional moves

• Paul Themba Nyathi: Dark day for democracy

• Parliament passes amendment bill

• Jonathan Moyo: Constitutional madness will not save Zanu PF

• MDC ambush Zanu PF with draft constitution

• Zim tables bill to amend constitution

• Lawyers condemn constitutional amendment

• Aspiring Zanu PF senator dies of poisoning

• Alex Magaisa: Constitutional amendment spells doom for economy

• Chinamasa admits Zanu PF has no two thirds

• Zimbabwe opposition snubs Mugabe

• Zimbabwe senate will last only 5 years

• Moyo fights constitutional amendment

• Mugabe recalls Zimbabwe parliament

• Zanu PF accelerates Senate plans

• Mugabe appoints nephew to new Cabinet

• Mugabe to extend term

• Moyo on opposition benches as MPs sworn in

• Mugabe appoints governors, Cabinet expected

• Mugabe vows to rule for a century

By Staff Reporter

THE United States HAS strongly criticised Zimbabwe's ruling party for dramatic changes it pushed through this week on the southern African country's constitution.

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's ruling party used its two-thirds parliamentary majority to change the constitution to allow the government to nationalise white-owned farms, impose travel bans on "traitors" and reintroduce a second legislative chamber that critics said would be packed with Mugabe's allies.

US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said the process used to implement the changes was deeply troubling.

"It's a sad step backwards for personal freedom as well as the rule of law," he said.

The United States has been increasingly critical of Zimbabwe's human rights record and political process, calling last April's election "seriously tainted".

While critical of human rights issues, the United States has continued to
send food aid to the poor southern African country.

This month it sent 73,500 tonnes of food aid to southern Africa with much of that expected to go to Zimbabwe, where about half of the rural population is estimated to need emergency help - AAP
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