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DATE=10/10/00

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=ZIMBABWE / POLITICS (L-O)

NUMBER=2-267711

BYLINE=MARTIN RUSHMERE

DATELINE=HARARE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Police in Zimbabwe have questioned opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai over remarks calling for the violent overthrow of President Robert Mugabe. Police took Mr. Tsvangirai's fingerprints but released him after two-hours without being charged. Martin Rushmere has this report from Harare.

TEXT: Mr. Tsvangirai told reporters at his home afterward that the attorney general will now decide whether he should be prosecuted under the Law and Order Maintenance Act for, in his words - causing hostility to the sitting president and other offenses."

Mr. Tsvangirai has denied any wrongdoing - I told the police the law refers to a ceremonial president, and Mr. Mugabe is an executive president. Mr. Tsvangirai said - we are exchanging political criticism as the leaders of our parties.

Looking relaxed and unworried, Mr. Tsvangirai said the police had been friendly at all times. They were just doing their job - he said.

The questioning by police came at the same time as four members of parliament from the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change Party were released without charge. They had been detained for 48-hours for allegedly calling for the overthrow of Mr. Mugabe.

The M-D-C leader returned Monday from South Africa by private aircraft, landing at a small airport 300-kilometers south of Harare.

Police had set up roadblocks on roads leading to Harare airport in preparation for his expected return on a commercial flight.

Mr. Tsvangirai has also strongly criticized a pardon issued this week by President Mugabe for all politically motivated crimes committed

between January 1 and July 30th this year.

The period includes parliamentary elections and a national referendum on a new constitution, which led to thousands of people being beaten up and tortured.

/// OPT /// Murder, rape, incest, armed robbery and fraud are not covered by the amnesty. Mr. Tsvangirai said President Mugabe is using the amnesty to prepare for presidential elections in two years time. He accused Mr. Mugabe of undermining the rule of law and the role of the legislature. He said - this is telling ruling party thugs that they can get away with it. /// END OPT ///

Mr. Tsvangirai predicted that Zimbabwe's problems will worsen during the coming months. Mr. Tsvangirai said this government is using tactics for its own survival and not for Zimbabwe. (SIGNED)

NEB/MR/GE /RAE