Regards, Ivan
Posted on 08/25/2004 10:22:48 PM PDT by MadIvan
ZIMBABWE’S main opposition party said yesterday that it will boycott all elections until the government reforms unfair electoral laws, ends political violence and repeals repressive media and security laws.
The decision by the Movement for Democratic Change comes well ahead of key parliamentary elections in March.
The country’s president, Robert Mugabe, is seeking to consolidate his hold on power after narrowly winning re- election in a 2002 vote that observers said was marred by intimidation and vote-rigging.
In June the government promised electoral reforms that it said would bring Zimbabwe in line with regional standards, but the opposition dismissed them as "cosmetic".
The opposition wants the government to observe guidelines established by the 14-state Southern African Development Community (SADC).
"Until there are tangible signs the government is prepared to enforce the SADC protocols on elections, the national executive has today decided to suspend participation in all forms of elections in Zimbabwe," an opposition spokesman, Paul Themba Nyathi, said.
Regards, Ivan
Ping!
Ping!
Where are the UN observers when you need them? (I know, rhetorical question...)
Thoroughly backed up by coalition troops to stop any of the nonsense we saw when East Timor voted for independence from the Indonesians in 1999, I might add...
Shouldn't Madeline Albright be down there doing something?
That'll show Mugabe!
Jimmy Carter has already said that these elections are fair. </sarcasm>
Given the sad state of affaires over there, I'm sure they will also boycott elections AFTER they seize power.
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They just pulled the rug out from Jimmy Carter....
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bump
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