Mugabe: Blair knows he's wrong

2005-04-02 21:24

Harare - Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe said Saturday that he was furious at British Prime Minister Tony Blair for accusing him of violating human rights but added that he was ready to bury the hatchet.

Mugabe, whose party won a massive two-thirds majority in elections, said Blair had failed to recognise Britain's obligation to compensate white commercial farmers when he came to power under a previous accord negotiated at Zimbabwe's independence in 1980.

He accused Blair of waging a campaign of lies against Zimbabwe over the seizures of white farms in 2000 and human rights violations.

"That's false and we are very angry at that but if he wants reconciliation we are ready," Mugabe said.

"To tell you the truth we have been on the receiving end of the blows inflicted on us by Mr Blair in various ways," said Mugabe at a news conference.

He cited Britain's role in pressing for Zimbabwe's suspension from the Commonwealth of former colonies and to have sanctions imposed by the European Union in 2002.

Mugabe, who has been at loggerheads with Blair in recent years, said that the British prime minister had apparently admitted to South African President Thabo Mbeki that he regretted his handling of the land reform issue.

"President Mbeki did tell me that he actually admitted to him that yes, they neglected this issue and that they were on the wrong side and we were right," Mugabe told journalists at his State House.

Mugabe used every opportunity during the campaign to drum up support for his party by attacking Blair for allegedly backing Zimbabwe's main opposition Movement for Democratic Change party and meddling in Zimbabwe's internal affairs.

His ruling party waged an "anti-Blair" campaign in the parliamentary elections.

- AFP