US to Mugabe: Call off the dogs in Zimbabwe

Washington - The United States on Thursday questioned the fairness of a possible run-off vote in the Zimbabwe election dispute because of President Robert Mugabe's violent crackdown on the opposition since the first vote took place a month ago. 'What we need to have happen is to have President Mugabe call off his dogs and cease his security services and his supporters' attacks on those who are simply trying to express their views peacefully and appropriately,' State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey said. Zimbabwean election officials have pledged to release the results in the March 29 elections in the coming days, but Washington and international observers have questioned the credibility of the results because of the delay. 'There's been an absolutely unconscionable and inexplicable delay in the process of releasing votes,' Casey said. 'And at this point, I think whatever those results show, they're probably going to have limited credibility.' Mugabe's Zanu-PF has said the leader won 43 per cent of the vote while conceding that opposition candidate Morgan Tsvangirai won 47 per cent but fell short of an outright victory. Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) argues he won 50.3 per cent of the vote and a run-off was not needed. Mugabe's government has refused to release the results, raising concerns officials were tampering with the outcome. At the same time, Mugabe's security forces have launched a widespread crackdown against the opposition and its supporters. 'It would almost be impossible to hold (a run-off) given the current campaign of state-orchestrated violence and intimidation against the political opposition, in particular, and against just much of the general citizenry,' Casey said.

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jlv1982May 1st, 2008 - 22:15:49

So much for defending democracies from oppression no matter where in the world they are. What a joke. How can US intervention in Iraq be justified and yet support for Zimbabwe isn't?

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The USMay 1st, 2008 - 23:21:16

Has no say so in independent Zimbabwe. So shut up America.

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rock n roll fan .May 1st, 2008 - 23:39:31

the u. s. a. is the best ; and isreal ! and some other places too . get used to it , or get ready for your Virgins.

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KrisiMay 1st, 2008 - 23:52:09

Apparently nobody has a say so in independent Zimbabwe. Except for the thugs of Robert Mugabe. You can close your eyes and shout 'you can't see me' as much as you wish but that doesn't make you invisible, just blind. The world is watching.

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AmericaMay 2nd, 2008 - 08:00:23

Shut up the thugs.

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