Mugabe vows to leave Commonwealth
 |
Mugabe: "We never retreat."
Story Tools
|
MASVINGO, Zimbabwe (Reuters) -- Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe said on Saturday his government would pull out of the 54-nation Commonwealth group following a resolution passed by his ruling ZANU-PF party.
The Commonwealth had been hijacked by racists interfering in Zimbabwe's internal affairs, he said at a political meeting at home, but gave no sign of when the southern African country would withdraw from the club of mostly former British colonies.
The group suspended Zimbabwe last year, saying Mugabe had rigged his re-election in 2002 and harassed opponents.
At a summit in Nigeria on Saturday, Commonwealth leaders haggled over whether to readmit Zimbabwe, a row that has split the body on racial lines. (Full story)
In Zimbabwe, a combative Mugabe, waving the fist salute of the ZANU-PF party, said there was no backing down from the resolution because his government had been treated unfairly.
"If we say we are doing this, we will do it. We never retreat," he said at the end of ZANU-PF's annual meeting.
"The Commonwealth is a mere club, but it has become like an 'Animal Farm' where some members are more equal than others. How can (British Prime Minister Tony) Blair claim to regulate and direct events and still say all of us are equals?" he said.
Quitting the group would lose Zimbabwe some political clout but would make little economic difference.
The two-day meeting was held in the south of the country at Masvingo, best known for the stone ruins of Great Zimbabwe on its outskirts -- relics of an ancient trading civilisation that gave its name to the independent modern state.
Mugabe, 79, in power since independence from Britain in 1980, also said he had no intention of retiring before his six-year presidential term ends in 2008, and attacked those he said were jostling for his office.
"Any time you say it's time to retire, I will retire without any fuss. Until the people say so...I have a mandate from the people," Mugabe said.
"I want to thank you for affirming the leadership and for sending a message to those amongst us who might think time for a leadership change has come."
Mugabe was loudly cheered by over 3,000 delegates as he defended his record and promised to tackle a deepening economic crisis -- marked by chronic food, foreign currency and fuel shortages, record inflation and unemployment.
Foreign Minister Stan Mudenge told reporters cabinet would meet soon to study the resolution to quit, which he expected to be upheld. He said the Commonwealth was being "run by a dishonourable man," referring to secretary-general Don McKinnon.
"He lied on this so-called canvassing of opinion, when he said there was an overwhelming majority consensus in the Commonwealth to continue with the suspension of Zimbabwe. That can only be done by a man who acts dishonourably," said Mudenge.
"The reason he does that is because he is upset that we took land from white Zimbabweans and that is racist. I see no difficulty in moving my colleagues in cabinet to accept the resolution."
Copyright 2003
Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
