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Mugabe: Election a triumph against "British imperialism" The leaders of two key African nations are about to meet Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe in an effort to resolve the crisis created by his disputed election victory. South African President Thabo Mbeki and Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo are expected to urge Mr Mugabe to form a national unity government with the leading opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). As the leaders prepared to meet, a white farmer was shot dead near his homestead - the tenth such killing since militants began often violent occupations of white-owned land two years ago. We have to face, fairly and squarely, the responsibility we've been given Australian PM The South African and Nigerian presidents will decide in London on Tuesday - with Australian Prime Minister John Howard - whether Zimbabwe should be suspended from the Commonwealth. As he left for their meeting, Mr Howard said this was "quite a moment of truth. "The Commonwealth has been held together by a number of things and one of them has been a common commitment to democracy. Western governments boycotted Mugabe's inauguration "We have to face, fairly and squarely, the responsibility we've been given," he said. The Nigerian and South African leaders also plan to meet Mr Mugabe's defeated MDC challenger, Morgan Tsvangirai. Commonwealth observers issued an interim report condemning Zimbabwe's election, which has also been criticised by the United States, the European Union and the UK. However many national African monitoring teams described the result as fair. Further violence The MDC says militants loyal to the ruling Zanu-PF attacks have stepped up attacks since the election. One white farmer was killed near his farm early on Monday, apparently while trying to escape an attack by self-styled war veterans. Commercial Farmers' Union spokeswoman Jenni Williams said that Terry Ford - owner of a farm about 40 km (30 miles) southwest of Harare, was found shot through the head. Commonwealth threat Senior aides to Mr Obasanjo were quoted by the Reuters news agency as saying that the Nigerian leader was unlikely to back Zimbabwe's suspension. For his part, the South African president said on Saturday that, while Zimbabwe's fate would have to be decided by Zimbabweans, the outside world did have a right and duty to speak out about what was happening there. South Africa's position on Zimbabwe is particularly important, partly because it has political weight and economic leverage - it is the most powerful economy in southern Africa and it supplies Zimbabwe's fuel and power. Obasanjo is unlikely to back Zimbabwe's suspension In what appeared to be a related effort, Presidents Bakili Muluzi of Malawi and Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique met Mr Tsvangirai on Sunday and urged him, too, to work for national unity. "We tried to appeal to him that it is important that Zimbabweans work together for the transformation of this country otherwise you will all lose out," Mr Muluzi told state television. Mr Chissano added: "He said he will not do anything to jeopardise the Zimbabwean people, although he does not agree with the outcome of the election." BBC Southern African correspondent Barnaby Phillips says neither side in Zimbabwe appears ready to compromise. Mr Tsvangirai says President Mugabe is no longer relevant to the search for a solution to the country's economic and political crisis and should step down. At his inauguration ceremony on Sunday President Mugabe vowed to accelerate his controversial programme of land reform and said his victory was a triumph against "British imperialism". WATCH/LISTEN ON THIS STORY The BBC's Barnaby Phillips in Johannesburg "A political compromise is being saught" Full coverage A critical vote Mugabe's challenge What next for MDC? Africa's dilemma Q&A: After the election How free and fair? Observers divided Economic fears PROFILES Robert Mugabe Morgan Tsvangirai Election diary After the results SLIDESHOW Photo journal - voting chaos VOICES FROM ZIMBABWE Personal testimonies AUDIO VIDEO Election reports TALKING POINT What should the world do? REGIONAL ROUNDUP Select a province: Harare Mashonaland Midlands Matabeleland Manicaland Masvingo See also: 14 Mar 02 | UK Politics Straw condemns Mugabe 'tragedy' 13 Mar 02 | Africa Africa backs Mugabe win 15 Mar 02 | Africa Zimbabwe enacts media curbs 14 Mar 02 | Africa Mugabe focuses on land 'revolution' 15 Mar 02 | Africa Africa goes easy on Mugabe 17 Mar 02 | Africa Mugabe pledges rapid land reform Internet links: Organisation of African Unity Commonwealth ANC MDC Zimbabwe Government Zanu-PF Zimbabwe Human Rights Forum Zimbabwe Election Support Network The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites Top Africa stories now: Nigeria court to hear stoning appeal Africa's big two press Mugabe US watches Somali al-Qaeda links Britons in sex-for-aid scandal DR Congo rebels defiant after attack Unita casts doubts on peace talks Hayatou to take on Blatter Ethiopia-Eritrea peacekeepers stay on Links to more Africa stories are at the foot of the page. --------------------------- ANTI-NATO INFORMATION LIST ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: archive@jab.org EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.a9617B Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
