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Zim: US urges SA to do more
28/04/2008 22:12 - (SA)
Washington - The United States pressed South Africa on Monday to use its influence to defuse the post-election crisis in Zimbabwe, without openly criticising South African President Thabo Mbeki.
"We continue to urge anybody who has leverage with the Zimbabwean government to use it to avoid any further downward spiral," State Department spokesperson Sean McCormack told reporters.
The countries of southern Africa have influence on Zimbawean President Robert Mugabe, he added. "It is no secret that South Africa probably has closer relations to the Mugabe government than any other."
But asked about the role Mbeki could play personally in the crisis, McCormack declined to respond. "I will leave it where I left it," he said.
Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai urged the United Nations on Monday to name a special envoy to Zimbabwe to investigate attacks and help resolve the crisis, while Mbeki is expected to be a mediator.
More than four weeks after general elections in Zimbabwe, the official results for the presidential vote have yet to be announced. The contest pitted Mugabe, the 84-year-old who has been in power for 28 years, and Tsvangirai, 56.
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