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This article participates on the following special index pages:
2008 harmonised elections - Index of articles
Post-election violence 2008 - Index of articles & images
Statement
from British Embassy - Alleged letter from the British Prime Minister
to Morgan Tsvangirai
British
Embassy
April 17, 2008
The alleged letter from
the British Prime Minister to Morgan Tsvangirai, printed in The
Herald on 17 April, is a forgery. No such letter, or wider correspondence,
exists. It reflects this regime's desperation that ZANU(PF) and
state-controlled media have resorted to faking documents for crude
propaganda purposes, and not for the first time.
As Prime Minister Brown
said at the United Nations in New York on 16 April, three weeks
ago the people of Zimbabwe sent a strong message of their commitment
to democracy. No one believes, having seen the results at polling
stations, that President Mugabe has won this election. A stolen
election would not be a democratic election at all. The United Kingdom
stands solidly behind democracy and human rights for Zimbabwe and
is ready to help Zimbabweans build a better future. We are increasingly
concerned at reports of beatings and violence being unleashed against
electoral officials and opposition supporters. The EU and G8 are
also united in their condemnation of violence and in their calls
for the results of the presidential election to be released.
ZANU(PF) has also criticised
SADC intervention, and claimed it was externally prompted. One can
see why. SADC leaders have expressed public concern at the conduct
of this election, the delay in announcing the results and the increase
in intimidation. The United Kingdom welcomes SADC leaders' efforts
to address this crisis and ensure that the will of the Zimbabwean
people is respected.
We regret that The Herald
continues to peddle the lie that the economic and social meltdown
in Zimbabwe has been caused by external factors. The Zimbabwean
people are experiencing ever greater hardship as a direct result
of the policies being pursued by the Zimbabwean government. EU targeted
measures impose a visa ban and asset freeze on President Mugabe
and 130 named individuals. They do not hurt ordinary Zimbabweans.
There are no EU economic sanctions.
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