Bush widens Zim sanctions

2008-07-25 22:06

Washington - President George W Bush signed an executive order on Friday to expand sanctions against individuals and organisations in Zimbabwe associated with what he calls the "illegitimate" regime of President Robert Mugabe.

Bush's action was meant to send a strong message that the US will not permit individuals closely linked to Mugabe to operate in US financial markets. "No regime should ignore the will of its own people and calls from the international community without consequences," Bush said in a statement.

The president said he took steps to extend sanctions as a result of the Mugabe regime's continued "politically motivated violence" and the African leader's decision to disregard calls from the Southern African Development Community, the AU and the UN to halt the attacks.

Bush also said that Mugabe has continued his ban on activities of non-governmental organisations that are trying to provide assistance to the vulnerable people of Zimbabwe.

"Should ongoing talks in SA between Mugabe's regime and the Movement of Democratic Change result in a new government that reflects the will of the Zimbabwean people, the US stands ready to provide a substantial assistance package, development aid, and normalisation with international financial institutions," Bush said.

Meanwhile, he reaffirmed his commitment to support the people of Zimbabwe with up to $2.5m from the US Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund to assist Zimbabwean refugees and asylum seekers who have been displaced by the violence.

- AP