gelatik
03.03.02, 19:46
Zimbabwe has accused Prime Minister Tony Blair of disgraceful colonialism for
trying to have the country suspended from the Commonwealth.
The attack from Zimbabwean Information Minister Jonathan Moyo came after Mr
Blair warned the Commonwealth's reputation could be damaged if it did not take
tough action against President Robert Mugabe. Meanwhile, Conservative shadow
foreign secretary Michael Ancram is pressing for the international community,
and not just the Commonwealth, to send a clear message to Zimbabwe.
Commonwealth leaders are in private talks in Australia over their policy
towards Zimbabwe ahead of the next weekend's presidential elections.
But they are not expected to decide on immediate action.
'Colonial hangover'
Mr Moyo told BBC News it would be voters and not international observers who
would decide the polls.
Mr Moyo was fiercely critical of Mr Blair, who he said was "suffering from a
colonial hangover" and making arrogant statements.
"He needs to be told that Zimbabwe will never be a colony again, never," said
the minister.
"He can make as much noise as he wants and the more noise he makes, the more he
exposes himself to the international community.
"Some of the statements that have been attributed to him yesterday and today
are disgraceful and shameful."
The European Union has now imposed targeted sanctions against Mr Mugabe and his
allies but Mr Ancram said those should have been enforced much earlier.
'Clear message'
Speaking on BBC One's Breakfast With Frost programme, Mr Ancram said the
failure to take firm action last year had given a "green light" to Mr Mugabe.
"I would like to hear a very clear message that if this election is not free
and fair and democratic then the international community, not just us
unilaterally or the Commonwealth, will take action to make sure the situation
is rectified," he continued.
Mr Ancram accused Mr Mugabe of heading a "fascist" regime that had
sponsored "political murders".
Foreign Office Minister Baroness Amos said the UK could take action on its own
against Zimbabwe.
But she said there needed to be "some kind of mechanism that the Commonwealth
would immediately put into action if the Commonwealth observers judge the
election not to be free and fair".
Blair's plea
On Saturday, Mr Blair warned that if observers concluded the election, which
has been tainted by reports of violence and intimidation, was unfair then it
would be "essential" for the Commonwealth to act.
Mr Blair said the opposition Movement for Democratic Change could still win the
poll on 9 and 10 March.
He added that if Mr Mugabe refused to accept a victory by his rival Morgan
Tsvangirai, the Commonwealth had to act.
The prime minister said: "There is a disagreement here about tactics, because
some of the African countries feel it is wrong to suspend Zimbabwe at this
moment.
"But I do think it's essential for the credibility of the Commonwealth that if
after the election in Zimbabwe the Commonwealth observers report there was
malpractice and intimidation during the election, we take action if Mr Mugabe
is still in power."
