A week before a presidential election that domestic and foreign critics accuse Mugabe of trying to win by intimidation, his government did say it would respect a court ruling that overturned a law barring many Zimbabweans from voting.
The veteran president also told a senior delegation from regional power South Africa, which is increasingly worried about instability in Zimbabwe, that his main rival had not been charged with treason, contrary to earlier police statements.
Former colonial ruler Britain, accusing Mugabe of fostering violence in the campaign for the March 9-10 election, hopes to persuade other Commonwealth countries to impose sanctions on Zimbabwe when their leaders meet in Australia this weekend. [End Excerpt]