Posted on 07/23/2003 7:51:42 AM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
HARARE, Zimbabwe - Zimbabwe's president dismissed a conciliatory gesture by the opposition and threatened Tuesday to hit his opponents with "the full wrath of the law" if they tried to destabilize the nation.
In a strongly worded speech opening Parliament, President Robert Mugabe said "internal and external forces" were trying to plunge the nation into chaos, but it remained a role model for Africa.
Political violence, mainly blamed on ruling party militants, has been rampant over the past three years, leaving Zimbabwe's economy devastated, with unemployment at 70 percent and inflation topping 300 percent a year.
"We pride ourselves in our peace and stability," Mugabe told Parliament.
Mugabe's speech came after the opposition Movement for Democratic Change announced its lawmakers would not boycott Mugabe's speech as they usually do.
Spokesman Paul Themba Nyathi said the party hoped its move might clear the way for "amicable negotiations" for Mugabe's retirement.
"We believe we owe it to the nation and all the people who elected us to take bold steps in creating a political environment conducive to successful dialogue," he said.
Soon after that announcement, police detained Nyathi on allegations that a series of opposition campaign advertisements ridiculing Mugabe violated controversial security laws.
Nyathi was freed after signing a statement acknowledging that the MDC's information department, which he heads, was responsible for an advertisement depicting Mugabe as a thief fleeing an angry crowd, said Innocent Chagonda, his lawyer.
The opposition refuses to acknowledge Mugabe's declared victory in presidential elections last year that international monitors said were flawed. Two national strikes it has led this year to pressure Mugabe to retire have shut down what remains of the economy.
Mugabe, 79, remained defiant.
"I strongly warn those who seek to indulge in attempts to create political instability will face the full wrath of the law," he told Parliament.
Mugabe arrived at Parliament in an open-backed vintage Rolls Royce, once used by colonial era British governors, escorted by police on horseback carrying lances and wearing colonial-style pith helmets.
Judges in scarlet robes and long, white, traditional British wigs filed into the building ahead of Mugabe.
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