Military

DATE=03/07/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT (RE-ISSUE)

NUMBER=2-287274

TITLE=ZIMBABWE/OPPOSITION (L ONLY)

BYLINE=MARTIN RUSHMERE

DATELINE=HARARE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

/// EDS: RE-ISSUING WITH CHANGED INTRO ///

INTRO: In Zimbabwe, President Robert Mugabe says, once this weekend's presidential poll is over, his government may consider bringing charges against his main challenger for president, Morgan Tsvangirai, in connection with an alleged murder plot. Martin Rushmere has more on the story from Harare, the capital.

TEXT: Mr. Mugabe's threat follows accusations by the government that Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the Movement for Democratic Change, last year plotted to assassinate the 78-year-old leader.

State television has reported that the president, at a campaign rally earlier this week, said that Mr. Tsvangirai - quote - "will have to answer for the alleged murder plot. We will see this issue to its conclusion, once this election issue is out of the way."

State television has repeatedly broadcast a video film, which purports to show Mr. Tsvangirai discussing an assassination plot.

Police last week questioned Mr. Tsvangirai for three hours regarding the film. The lawyer acting for the Movement for Democratic Change leader said police told him they wanted to charge Mr. Tsvangirai with treason. This was later denied by the government, following a visit by senior South African government officials. Mr. Tsvangirai has denied attempting to assassinate the president, and says the video is a fabrication.

This weekend's election is seen as the strongest challenge to Mr. Mugabe in the 22 years he has been in power since the country gained independence from Britain.

Mr. Mugabe has said at a number of campaign rallies that the M-D-C is what he terms "a terrorist organization." New laws forced through parliament this year provide for life imprisonment and even the death penalty for people convicted of terrorism. (Signed)

NEB/MR/KL/TW