ZIMBABWE:The leader of Zimbabwe's main opposition group said yesterday he would contest a presidential run-off against president Robert Mugabe even if only regional observers could be present.
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai had previously called for unfettered access for international observers, which the government rejected. The MDC accuses Mr Mugabe of trying to intimidate voters and rig the poll.
"At the moment the obligation is on [regional group] SADC [the Southern African Development Community]. I am sure that they will fulfil their obligations, especially to send SADC peacekeepers and observers," Mr Tsvangirai said in a telephone interview. "For us that is sufficient."
After weeks of equivocation, Mr Tsvangirai said at the weekend he would participate in the run-off to the March 29th polls, but only if international monitors were present. He called on the SADC to send peacekeepers to instil public confidence in the vote.
The MDC leader travelled to Angola on Saturday to ask president José Eduardo dos Santos, who heads the SADC's security committee, to push for the peacekeepers. The regional grouping has not said whether it would agree to the request.
Zimbabwe's government rejected any preconditions for the run-off, but allowed the SADC to monitor the election's first round.
The top US diplomat on Africa on Monday pressed Zimbabwe to allow in large numbers of western election monitors for the second round.
Asked how long he was willing to wait for a run-off, after electoral authorities said it was likely that there would be a delay, Mr Tsvangirai said any timeframe would have to be "reasonable".
By law, the second round should be held within 21 days of the result, announced on May 2nd, but the period can be extended.
"The thing is that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, if it has to extend the time of a run-off, it has to do so within a reasonable period. I'm sure that SADC will also be pressurising them to set a date."
Police said yesterday nine MDC activists had been arrested in the north of the country on charges of political violence.
- (Reuters)