US calls Zimbabwe 'a crisis'

2008-04-15 22:48

Washington - The United States on Tuesday questioned plans by Zimbabwean election officials to recount the ballots in the controversial presidential elections, and said the political stalemate over disputed outcome helped create a "crisis."

"Zimbabwe is in a crisis. We are in a crisis in Zimbabwe," State Department spokesperson Sean McCormack said, offering a US view sharply differing from South African President Thabo Mbeki, who has denied that Zimbabwe had fallen into a crisis.

Mbeki's comments came on Saturday as 14 African nations met trying to resolve the standoff over the March 29 elections. Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai claims he outright defeated long-serving President Robert Mugabe - an assessment shared by independent observers and non-governmental organisations.

The Election Commission has refused to release the results, but Mugabe claims the race was too close to call and run-off was needed. The commission has ordered a recount.

McCormack said Mugabe's policies and repression have driven the country into economic ruin, and raised questions about the integrity of a recount that would take place "after there has not been a good chain of custody regime in place for those ballots and those ballot boxes."

"Anything could have happened between election day and when a recount takes place," McCormack said.

The issue is expected to be discussed Wednesday at an Africa summit at the UN Security Council over which Mbeki is to preside.- Sapa-dpa

- SAPA