blair told he is a racist
the evening standard | 04.03.2002 11:55
British Prime Minister Tony Blair has been accused of racism by Zimbabwe's information minister, in the latest row over the country's elections.
Jonathan Moyo's outburst came at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Coolum, near Brisbane, Australia.
President Robert Mugabe is not attending the four-day summit, but his information and publicity minister held an impromptu press conference at which he launched his attack on the British premier.
African nations at the gathering have blocked Britain's attempts to impose sanctions on Zimbabwe and have the country suspended from the Commonwealth.
Mr Moyo said Britain wanted the world to believe that any result of the elections taking place on March 9 and 10 which did not end in an opposition victory must be rigged.
He said Mr Blair was "exhibiting arrogance and is also quite ignorant of what is happening in Zimbabwe".
He went on: "We resent very much that he can be so arrogant and take no responsibility for his own actions.
"It is racism, is it not? It is so obvious they are doing this because they are unhappy with the redistribution of land that is taking place in Zimbabwe.
"They don't want to see social justice in Zimbabwe. They want to deepen inequalities in Zimbabwe."
Mr Blair told Australian media: "The only people who can overthrow his (Mugabe's) government are the people of Zimbabwe and what he should do if he is confident of his support is have a free and fair election. It's not me who's trying to rig the Zimbabwe election."
President Robert Mugabe is not attending the four-day summit, but his information and publicity minister held an impromptu press conference at which he launched his attack on the British premier.
African nations at the gathering have blocked Britain's attempts to impose sanctions on Zimbabwe and have the country suspended from the Commonwealth.
Mr Moyo said Britain wanted the world to believe that any result of the elections taking place on March 9 and 10 which did not end in an opposition victory must be rigged.
He said Mr Blair was "exhibiting arrogance and is also quite ignorant of what is happening in Zimbabwe".
He went on: "We resent very much that he can be so arrogant and take no responsibility for his own actions.
"It is racism, is it not? It is so obvious they are doing this because they are unhappy with the redistribution of land that is taking place in Zimbabwe.
"They don't want to see social justice in Zimbabwe. They want to deepen inequalities in Zimbabwe."
Mr Blair told Australian media: "The only people who can overthrow his (Mugabe's) government are the people of Zimbabwe and what he should do if he is confident of his support is have a free and fair election. It's not me who's trying to rig the Zimbabwe election."
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