Mugabe hits back over new wave of criticism

Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe said today he took “great exception” to the support given by Western nations to what he called violent opposition politics in his southern African nation.

State radio reported that he spoke out after a five-hour meeting in Harare with African mediator President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania.

Tanzania is one of three southern African nations appointed to try to help calm economic and political turmoil in Zimbabwe which has seen an upsurge in violence.

Kikwete also heads the political and diplomatic panel of the 14-nation Southern African Development Community.

African nations in the SADC bloc, including neighbouring South Africa, have been accused of not doing enough to mediate over Zimbabwe and bridge differences between Mugabe and his western critics.

State radio said Mugabe condemned Western countries for taking no heed of recent opposition sponsored violence that caused loss of life, injuries and the destruction government property.

The country’s main opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai suffered a suspected skull fracture, brain injury and internal bleeding after he was arrested during a gathering at the weekend. The scandal has provoked a fresh barrage of criticism of Mugabe’s regime in the West.

Tsvangirai said yesterday from his hospital bed that police beat him on the head, knees and back and that his arm was broken. But he said he was unbowed.

The beating he and others suffered “just shows the extent to which this desperate regime is trying to protect its power,” he said.

“For the struggle, I think it’s an inspiration to everyone. There is no freedom without struggle, and there is no freedom without sacrifice.”

Tsvangirai, 54, was moved to a unit where he could be more closely monitored and was awaiting the results of a brain scan carried out earlier Wednesday, said Tafadza Mugabe, one of his lawyers. Tsvangirai was among a dozen allegedly beaten by police.

All were arrested as police broke up an opposition prayer meeting on Sunday.

Source: http://www.irishexaminer.com/breaking/story.asp?j=91296110&p=9yz964yz&n=91296490