Mugabe begs for Western leniency

President Robert Mugabe has pleaded with the West to remove sanctions imposed on the troubled state calling for fresh dialogue and relations characterised by mutual respect.

Addressing the 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States, today, Mugabe spoke against what he called a diabolical policy to enforce regime change.

The 90 year old Zimbabwean leader said the country was empowering its people, the nations became  victim, "of the evil machinations of Western countries namely the United States of America and the European Union who continue to apply unilateral and illegal sanctions as a foreign policy tool to achieve short term political objectives particularly regime change.

Mugabe added, "regime change is a diabolical, illegal policy of interference in the domestic affairs of my country and no good can come from undermining our economy or depriving our citizens of the necessities of life. Why I ask, should Zimbabweans continue to suffer under the American and European yoke of unjustified and unwarranted illegal sanctions."

The Zanu PF leader said the sanctions violate the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter and should be condemned by the international community.

"We once again call for their immediate and unconditional removal. We are a peaceful and peace loving nation ready to engage in constructive dialogue for mutually beneficial relations," Mugabe said.

"We call on those who continue to harbour ill will against us to cast away their hegemony driven hostility as we appeal to them to review their hard and cruel positions and open a new chapter in their relations with us based on mutual respect and friendly cooperation."