British PM Threatens To Boycott Mugabe

The British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, has said he will not take part in a major EU-Africa summit if Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe is allowed to attend.

Describing the situation in the former British colony as "appalling and tragic", Mr Brown called on the international community to bring more pressure to bear on the Harare regime.

President Mugabe is currently facing a EU travel ban, which would have to be lifted if he was to attend the Lisbon talks.

Writing in the Independent, the Prime Minister said the reason for the ban is "the abuse of his own people."

"There is no freedom in Zimbabwe; no freedom of association; no freedom of the press," he said.

"And there is widespread torture and mass intimidation of the political opposition. President Mugabe's attendance would mean lifting the EU visa ban that we have collectively imposed.

"I believe that President Mugabe's presence would undermine the summit, diverting attention from the important issues that need to be resolved.

"In those circumstances, my attendance would not be appropriate."

He urged the deployment of a United Nations humanitarian mission and promised support for the economic reconstruction of Zimbabwe once Mr Mugabe was gone.

ENDS

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