Clark worried for Zimbabwe's people

By HELEN TUNNAH, NZPA AND REUTERS

ABUJA - Prime Minister Helen Clark says she worries for the people of Zimbabwe after volatile President Robert Mugabe pulled his country out of the Commonwealth.

Zimbabwe has not yet formally told the Commonwealth it is quitting the 54-nation group, which at its summit in Nigeria over the weekend refused to end the suspension of Mr Mugabe's regime.

Zimbabwe's rulers said from Harare it would quit the Commonwealth in protest.

Helen Clark said the future of Zimbabwe would be jeopardised if Mr Mugabe did march out of the Commonwealth - as he has often threatened to do - and embarked on a "more ferocious regime of oppression even than we've seen to date".

"That wouldn't make things any easier for Zimbabwe. It'll only make it worse."

"I've always worried primarily for the people of Zimbabwe because this is an appalling regime."

After learning that Zimbabwe remained indefinitely suspended from the Commonwealth, Mr Mugabe's ruling Zanu-PF party said the African nation would now walk out of the group, accusing nations such as New Zealand and Britain of running a racist agenda to force them out.

A spokesman said only lifting the suspension would have been acceptable to Mr Mugabe.

Last night, Zimbabwe's decision to walk away was interpreted by some as a blow to Commonwealth, but that was rejected by both Helen Clark and Secretary-General Don McKinnon.

Helen Clark said Zimbabwe's decision was not a disaster. "The disaster would have been if leaders had walked out of here with the suspension lifted. That would have shown the Commonwealth to be a joke."

It was "sad" to see Zimbabwe shut the door on an institution that had helped the nation achieve independence from minority white rule.

Mr McKinnon said the Commonwealth would continue to try to talk with Zimbabwe.