Mugabe attacks 'unholy alliance'

By HELEN TUNNAH and REUTERS


Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe says Britain, Australia and New Zealand are forging an "unholy alliance" against him in the Commonwealth.

His remarks came just days before tomorrow's gathering of Commonwealth leaders in Nigeria, to which Mr Mugabe has not been invited.

Zimbabwe was suspended from the 54-nation Commonwealth last year after Mr Mugabe was accused of rigging his own re-election.

His comments in a state-of-the-nation address to Parliament follow remarks last Friday suggesting that Zimbabwe could quit the Commonwealth if the price of being readmitted was to give up its sovereignty.

"Our membership of the Commonwealth, itself a mere club, is dependent on this fundamental consideration, currently being vitiated by Britain, Australia and New Zealand, the Anglo-Saxon unholy alliance against Zimbabwe," Mr Mugabe said, sparking a round of applause in a legislature dominated by his Zanu-PF party.

He said his Government was working to build an "alternative global power point" - including China - because a political order led by the United States was unjust.

Zimbabwe has dominated preparations for the summit and threatened to split the group along racial lines.

Britain said on Monday that it would urge fellow Commonwealth members to keep up pressure on its former colony by maintaining a punitive suspension of Mr Mugabe's Government.

Australia also urged the international community not to be intimidated by Mr Mugabe's threats to leave the Commonwealth.

Mr Mugabe accuses a "white" section led by Australia and Britain of pursuing a vendetta over the seizure of white-owned farms for black settlement, and says opponents abroad and at home are sabotaging the economy.

Prime Minister Helen Clark told the Herald yesterday on her way to the summit that Mr Mugabe's attempts to split the Commonwealth along black-white race lines would fail.

"The Commonwealth as a whole has a real interest in seeing that the standards it is signed up to are preserved.

"Well, obviously there have been voices in Africa who have been somewhat protective of him. Overall he is an embarrassment."

The question for the summit was how to take the issue of Zimbabwe forward.

"It is a failing state now. You cannot get much worse than 700 to 800 per cent inflation, plus half your people hungry, the economy in ruins and all the human rights issue that we know about."

Helen Clark said she would be happy to see Zimbabwe expelled from the Commonwealth.

Commonwealth committees have already failed to persuade Mr Mugabe to clean up his regime, but there is talk that a new "eminent persons group" might be formed to try to open talks with Zimbabwe.

Mr Mugabe has for the last 18 months refused to talk to Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon, a former New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister.

Economic sanctions have been imposed by the world's major powers, including the United States and the European Union.

Human rights groups say the sanctions may have worsened the famine crippling Zimbabwe, where 7 million people - half the population - need food.

Helen Clark said there had to be some hope that a new group of people might be able to break the deadlock.

She would try to persuade Sri Lanka to abandon its surprise bid to unseat Mr McKinnon, a challenge thought to have been pushed by Zimbabwe.

The Prime Minister will hold talks with Sri Lanka's delegation within hours of her arrival in Nigeria today and ahead of a potential fractious debate on the Secretary-General's job tomorrow night (NZ time).

Mr McKinnon wants another four years in the job but last week heard he would face a late challenge from Sri Lankan candidate Lakshman Kadirgamar.

Helen Clark said there was no clear indication to why Sri Lanka had challenged Mr McKinnon.

"We will obviously say we strongly support Mr McKinnon and there is no question that someone who has done a good job should be removed."

Troubled state

* Robert Mugabehas been President since independence in 1980.

* Zimbabwe was suspended from the Commonwealth councils last year.

* Presidential elections last year were marred by political violence and claims of rigging.

* Human rights groups say Mugabe's policies are starving his own people.