News / National
Zim cannot invite election monitors from hostile countries: Mugabe
08 Sep 2011 at 18:10hrs | Views
President Robert Mugabe says Zimbabwe wants impartial observers during the coming elections that should be held at the end of the constitution making process.
Mugabe was responding to a request from Britain and the EU to monitor Zimbabwe's elections which are planned for early next year at the end of the constitution making process.
The request was made by newly appointed British ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mrs Deborah Bronnert in a meeting soon after presenting her letters of credence to the President at State House in the capital.
Mugabe explained that Zimbabwe abhors countries which meddle in the country's electoral affairs and called on Britain not to hold such a campaign whether in favour of his Zanu-PF party or against the liberation party.
Mugabe implored Britain to help Zimbabweans to have fair elections that are free from external interference, adding that election dates will be announced in time for every party to prepare and be ready for the process.
Responding to the ambassador's question on whether Zimbabwe will invite British observers in the country's electoral process, Mugabe said Zimbabwe can not invite people who have imposed sanctions on her to be observers because by imposing sanctions Britain has demonstrated her dislike of one side while favouring the other.
On allegations by some British government officials that he must go, Mugabe said he is not going anywhere as he has a party to run.
However, President Mugabe said despite everything that has happened between Zimbabwe and Britain there is room for dialogue and history has a track record of cooperation between Zanu-PF and past Conservative governments of the United Kingdom.
The British ambassador said she had brought greetings from Queen Elizabeth the 2nd who said Zimbabwe is a country of great importance to the UK and that she would want to get weekly reports from the new ambassador.
The new UK ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mrs Bronnert has vast knowledge of work in the European Union.
Reading a prepared statement soon after her meeting with Mugabe after presenting her credentials, she spoke about the GPA and free and fair elections in Zimbabwe.
Mugabe was responding to a request from Britain and the EU to monitor Zimbabwe's elections which are planned for early next year at the end of the constitution making process.
The request was made by newly appointed British ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mrs Deborah Bronnert in a meeting soon after presenting her letters of credence to the President at State House in the capital.
Mugabe explained that Zimbabwe abhors countries which meddle in the country's electoral affairs and called on Britain not to hold such a campaign whether in favour of his Zanu-PF party or against the liberation party.
Mugabe implored Britain to help Zimbabweans to have fair elections that are free from external interference, adding that election dates will be announced in time for every party to prepare and be ready for the process.
Responding to the ambassador's question on whether Zimbabwe will invite British observers in the country's electoral process, Mugabe said Zimbabwe can not invite people who have imposed sanctions on her to be observers because by imposing sanctions Britain has demonstrated her dislike of one side while favouring the other.
On allegations by some British government officials that he must go, Mugabe said he is not going anywhere as he has a party to run.
However, President Mugabe said despite everything that has happened between Zimbabwe and Britain there is room for dialogue and history has a track record of cooperation between Zanu-PF and past Conservative governments of the United Kingdom.
The British ambassador said she had brought greetings from Queen Elizabeth the 2nd who said Zimbabwe is a country of great importance to the UK and that she would want to get weekly reports from the new ambassador.
The new UK ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mrs Bronnert has vast knowledge of work in the European Union.
Reading a prepared statement soon after her meeting with Mugabe after presenting her credentials, she spoke about the GPA and free and fair elections in Zimbabwe.
Source - zbc
