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DATE=09/30/2000

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-267294

TITLE=ZIMBABWE POL (L ONLY)

BYLINE=MARTIN RUSHMERE

DATELINE=HARARE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has called on President Robert Mugabe to retire immediately or risk being removed violently by a national uprising. At a rally in Harare the president of the Movement for Democratic Change also called for immediate mass action to protest against the country's economic and political crisis. Martin Rushmere

reports from Harare.

TEXT: Mr. Tsvangirai told a gathering of 25 thousand supporters

that there will be violence if Mr. Mugabe stays until his term of office ends in 2002. There was a roar of applause from the crowd when Mr. Tsvangirai said: "If you do not go peacefully you will be removed violently."

The MDC leader afterwards told reporters that he was not calling

for the violent overthrow of Mr. Mugabe, but was warning that the

president faces a popular uprising if he does not retire now.

"Please go peacefully and retire honorably", said Mr. Tsvangirai,

"otherwise there will definitely be violence. There are many

dictators in the world who have to make an unceremonious exit. "

There was no immediate reaction from the Zimbabwe government to the remarks.

Mr. Tsvangirai did not specify what form of mass protest there

should be , but senior advisors said in private that the party is

calling for an indefinite general strike which will only end when

Mr. Mugabe retires. The MDC has been working with the national congress of trade unions to find the most effective form of national protest.

The government is under severe pressure over the worsening

economic situation, which has led to soaring inflation and

unemployment. Foreign currency is in extremely short supply, fuel rationing has been introduced and there are frequent power cuts.

The government is also accused of being responsible for the

invasion of more than 15 hundred commercial farms by groups led by guerilla war veterans. This has led to widespread violence and disruption of agricultural operations.

A new law allowing the government to forcibly take over farms

without compensation has caused considerable controversy and has angered western donor nations. (Signed)

NEB/MR/KBK