Morgan Tsvangirai's Views on Negotiations with Robert Mugabe - 2002-03-19

Morgan Tsvangirai, the leader of the opposition in Zimbabwe, states that currently there is no possibility for dialogue between him and Robert Mugabe, the President of Zimbabwe. Tsvangirai told reporters today that due to the violence incited by the government against political activists, the conditions for dialogue with the government are not favorable. His remarks came as a delegation from the Commonwealth of Britain is investigating possible sanctions against the Zimbabwean regime following last week's violent presidential elections. The Presidents of South Africa and Nigeria, who are members of the inquiry delegation, met with Mugabe and Tsvangirai in Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, on Monday and advised him to engage in dialogue with opposition political groups for the sake of national unity. Leaders from South Africa, Nigeria, and Australia are discussing potential sanctions against the Zimbabwean regime by the Commonwealth of Britain in their meeting today in London. The Commonwealth of Britain has tasked the Presidents of South Africa and Nigeria and the Prime Minister of Australia to decide on necessary actions against Robert Mugabe's government on behalf of all member countries. Mugabe has been accused of rigging the presidential elections in his country last week.