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Back sanctions, UK begs Mbeki
07/07/2008 20:02 - (SA)
London - Britain on Monday called directly on South African President Thabo Mbeki to back international efforts to isolate key figures in Zimbabwe, including his counterpart Robert Mugabe.
"I'm absolutely clear that we want South Africa, led by Thabo Mbeki, to join the international consensus this week at the UN," Foreign Secretary David Miliband told Sky News from Johannesburg, referring to Security Council talks on the situation.
Shortly after arriving in Johannesburg earlier on Monday, Miliband did not mention South Africa by name when he called only for "the international community" to support an expected UN resolution on Zimbabwe in the coming days.
Mbeki, the chief mediator in the Zimbabwe crisis, has been criticised in some quarters for his so-called "quiet diplomacy" towards his neighbour and for not being tough enough on Mugabe.
Miliband said a "genuinely global" travel ban on Mugabe and members of what he called his "ruthless clique at the top of his corrupt dictatorship", and a freeze on their financial assets would up the pressure on the veteran leader.
Britain, the former colonial power in Zimbabwe, has been vocal in opposition to Mugabe's disputed victory in presidential elections, saying he should not be part of any power-sharing deal if the country is to receive vital economic aid.
The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) opposition has rejected Mbeki's push for a national unity government.
Instead, its leader Morgan Tsvangirai wants a transitional authority, which would draw up a new constitution ahead of fresh elections. Britain backs Tsvangirai in his bid.
- AFP
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