British PM Proposes Arms Embargo on Zimbabwe
By VOA News
23 April 2008
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown says he will advance proposals for a total arms embargo on Zimbabwe.
Mr. Brown made the statement to parliament Wednesday, a day after China said it may recall a ship carrying arms for Zimbabwe that has been turned away from two southern African countries.
The British prime minister renewed his accusation that Zimbabwe's government is trying to rig the result of the disputed March 29 presidential election.
Zimbabwe's electoral commission has yet to release any results from the poll. The opposition Movement for Democratic Change says its candidate, Morgan Tsvangirai, defeated President Robert Mugabe.
Today, an article in Zimbabwe's state-run Herald newspaper called for the ruling ZANU-PF party and the opposition to establish a transitional unity government to organize new elections.
The article, written by a pro-ruling party academic, says the transitional government should be led by President Mugabe. It also calls for the Southern African Development Community to help Zimbabwe write a new constitution.
There was no immediate comment on the article from government officials or the opposition.
Zimbabwean churches and international human rights groups say the ruling party has been beating and torturing MDC supporters in a campaign of retribution for last month's vote.
Last week, South Africa's transport union refused to unload the Chinese ship carrying weapons for Zimbabwe out of concern that they would be used by Mr. Mugabe's supporters against his opponents. Authorities in Mozambique also turned the ship away.
Zimbabwe's opposition says Mr. Mugabe's government is holding back the presidential results so it can alter them and orchestrate a run-off vote. The electoral commission began a recount in selected districts Saturday over MDC objections.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.
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