US Says Zimbabwe Unity Deal Not Possible With Mugabe
By VOA News
21 December 2008
The United States says it can no longer support a proposed Zimbabwean power-sharing deal that would leave Robert Mugabe as president.
The top U.S. envoy for Africa, Jendayi Frazer, made the announcement Sunday in Pretoria, South Africa.
Frazer said the U.S. has lost confidence that Mr. Mugabe is capable of sharing power. She described Mr. Mugabe as a man who has, in her words, "lost it," and is out of touch with reality.
Frazer said she has urged Zimbabwe's neighbors to increase pressure on Mr. Mugabe. But South Africa said Sunday that a unity government between Mr. Mugabe's party and the opposition remains Zimbabwe's best hope for change.
Mr. Mugabe finished second in Zimbabwe's March presidential election but won the June run-off after opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai pulled out, saying scores of his supporters had been killed.
The president and Mr. Tsvangirai signed an agreement in September to form a unity government. However, the deal has stalled over disagreements about how to fill key cabinet posts.
President Bush has called Zimbabwe's government illegitimate and is one of several world leaders to call for Mr. Mugabe's resignation.
The southern African country is battling a deadly cholera epidemic amid food shortages, runaway inflation, and a general breakdown in government services.
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