Blair's cabinet 'full of gays'
2002-02-03 15:52
Harare - Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe threatened to punish gay
groups at a weekend campaign rally for his re-election, saying
Britain was angry at him for his stance against homosexuality.
Mugabe said British Prime Minister Tony Blair should "expose"
his cabinet as full of gays before criticising Zimbabwe, according
to the official ZIANA news agency.
"I have people who are married in my cabinet. He has homosexuals
and they make John marry Joseph and let Mary get married to
Rosemary," Mugabe told thousands of people at a rally in the rural
district of Wedza on Saturday.
"We are saying they do not know biology because even dogs and
pigs know biology. We can form clubs, but we will never have
homosexual clubs. In fact, we will punish them," he said.
Attacks on Britain are staples of Mugabe's speeches, especially
as the former colonial power has moved toward imposing sanctions on
his regime over his increasingly autocratic rule ahead of the March
9-10 presidential election.
Mugabe forced through parliament tough new security and press
laws last month, even as the opposition and rights groups accused
pro-government militants of stepping up attacks on people who
oppose him.
The 77-year-old president, who has ruled since independence in
1980, is struggling for his political survival against a tough
challenge from former labour leader Morgan Tsvangirai. - Sapa-AFP
- SAPA