ZIMBABWE
Sanctions: Zim tells US to 'go to hell'
Posted Thu, 04 Mar 2004
Zimbabwe's information minister has dismissed new US sanctions which
target him and other members of President Robert Mugabe's ruling
party, saying "imperialist" Washington could go to hell, a newspaper
said on Thursday.
"These Americans who are pontificating about human rights and
democracy would not recognise these things even if they hit them on
their faces. So go and tell the imperialist to go to hell,"
Information Minister Jonathan Moyo was quoted as saying in Thursday's
edition of the state-run Herald daily.
Existing sanctions regime widened
The United States on Tuesday said it was widening an existing
sanctions regime against Zimbabwe to include seven government-related
businesses.
The State Department said the sanctions will apply to commercial farms
"seized" by Moyo; Zimbabwe Defence Industries, a state-owned arms
maker and M&S Syndicate, a holding group owned by the ruling Zimbabwe
African National Union-Patriotic Front (Zanu-PF).
Moyo won't be selling his produce to US
Moyo denied that he owned three farms included among the blacklisted
Zimbabwe businesses, insisting he owned just one — but would not be
selling his produce to the US.
"I am flattered that these hamburger-eating imperialists are
interested in my tomatoes... but I am sending them to Mbare Musika,"
Moyo said, referring to a popular produce market in the capital
Harare.
On Wednesday, US President George W. Bush renewed sanctions he imposed
on Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe and other government officials one
year ago for allegedly undermining democracy in the southern African
country.
Bush said the Zimbabwe government was causing a breakdown of the rule
of law, economic instability, and fomenting politically motivated
violence.
Australia tightens sanctions
Meanwhile, Canberra on Thursday tightened its sanctions against the
Mugabe regime, barring managers of state businesses from visiting
Australia.
There was no immediate reaction to the news by the Zimbabwe
government.
Last month the EU extended sanctions it had imposed against Zimbabwe
to include an arms embargo as well as travel restrictions and a freeze
on possible overseas assets of 95 government officials, including
Mugabe.
AFP
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