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UK: Exclude Mugabe from deal
01/07/2008 20:30 - (SA)
London - Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe must not be part of any power-sharing deal with the opposition if the country is to receive economic aid from Britain, a government minister said on Tuesday.
Junior Foreign Office minister Mark Malloch-Brown said no government involving the veteran leader could have the authority to tackle the country's rampant inflation and economic meltdown.
The former United Nations deputy secretary-general, whose brief in London includes Africa, was speaking to BBC radio from the sidelines of the African Union conference in Egypt, where he is an observer.
"When we talk about negotiations to achieve a government which reflects the will of the Zimbabwean people, and which allows the prospect of major economic reform to stop the hyperinflation - running I might add now at 4 000 000% a year - we do not believe that Robert Mugabe can be part of that government."
"I have been very clear in every contact I have had that this very major economic support for the country's economic reconstruction that we and others are willing to offer depends on a government being formed which does reflect the will of the people.
"So 'yes' to Zanu-PF involvement, but in our view 'no' to a government led by Robert Mugabe."
Malloch-Brown also said Mugabe should not be given an honorary role as president but he added that it was up to African leaders to decide which course of action to adopt.
As Western countries, including Britain, increased calls for tougher sanctions against Zimbabwe, Mugabe's spokesperson George Charamba said the West could "go and hang a thousand times" and appeared to reject power-sharing.
- AFP
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