Spring Break
Zimbabwe leader heckled
During parliament opening, jeers from crowd drown out speech, may preview future tensions for country
Angus Shaw - AP
Issue date: 8/27/08 Section: News
If the opposition continues to win support from the splinter faction, it would have the simple majority needed to block funds for government ministries and projects.
But if there was deadlock, Mugabe could dissolve the assembly and rule by decree. And it was unlikely the opposition could summon the two-thirds vote needed to impeach Mugabe.
Mugabe opened parliament despite an agreement he signed last month with Tsvangirai that the assembly would not sit unless both men agreed or until a power-sharing deal was struck.
Negotiations, though, have deadlocked over whether Tsvangirai or Mugabe would have the leading role in a unity government.
Tsvangirai beat Mugabe and two other candidates in presidential elections held alongside the legislative balloting, but did not gain the simple majority needed to avoid a runoff.
Mugabe held a one-man runoff after allegedly unleashing his soldiers, police and party militants on the opposition, and declared himself victor despite international condemnation.
The opposition blames Zimbabwe's crisis on Mugabe's increasingly autocratic rule and economic mismanagement.
Mugabe ordered the seizure, at times violent of white-owned commercial farmland, saying it would be turned over to blacks, but in many cases handing farms to cronies, in the process destroying the country's economic base.
Mugabe has repeatedly blamed his country's woes on the United States and former colonial power Britain.
He returned to that theme Tuesday, calling Western sanctions illegal. "Sanctions must go," he said, to cheers from his supporters. "They cannot last a day longer if we as Zimbabweans speak against them in deafening unison."
Sanctions imposed by the United States and the European Union affect individuals and companies linked to Mugabe, and include travel bans and asset freezes.
Mugabe on Tuesday also accused Britain and the United States of unleashing "a vicious onslaught" against Zimbabwe.
But if there was deadlock, Mugabe could dissolve the assembly and rule by decree. And it was unlikely the opposition could summon the two-thirds vote needed to impeach Mugabe.
Mugabe opened parliament despite an agreement he signed last month with Tsvangirai that the assembly would not sit unless both men agreed or until a power-sharing deal was struck.
Negotiations, though, have deadlocked over whether Tsvangirai or Mugabe would have the leading role in a unity government.
Tsvangirai beat Mugabe and two other candidates in presidential elections held alongside the legislative balloting, but did not gain the simple majority needed to avoid a runoff.
Mugabe held a one-man runoff after allegedly unleashing his soldiers, police and party militants on the opposition, and declared himself victor despite international condemnation.
The opposition blames Zimbabwe's crisis on Mugabe's increasingly autocratic rule and economic mismanagement.
Mugabe ordered the seizure, at times violent of white-owned commercial farmland, saying it would be turned over to blacks, but in many cases handing farms to cronies, in the process destroying the country's economic base.
Mugabe has repeatedly blamed his country's woes on the United States and former colonial power Britain.
He returned to that theme Tuesday, calling Western sanctions illegal. "Sanctions must go," he said, to cheers from his supporters. "They cannot last a day longer if we as Zimbabweans speak against them in deafening unison."
Sanctions imposed by the United States and the European Union affect individuals and companies linked to Mugabe, and include travel bans and asset freezes.
Mugabe on Tuesday also accused Britain and the United States of unleashing "a vicious onslaught" against Zimbabwe.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 4
Bdygard
Craig Hawley
posted 8/27/08 @ 8:44 PM MST
Mugabe has got to go. I hope his people can do it without it turning into a blood bath instigated by him.
We shall see.
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