Mugabe seeks better relations with Britain

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By Staff Reporter

ZIMBABWEAN President Robert Mugabe has called on the new British ambassador to Harare to help mend strained relations between his country and Britain.

Mugabe, who often accuses Britain of harbouring plans to recolonise Zimbabwe, said his country needed a bridge with the British.

"We want you here to help construct formidable bridges," the state-run Herald newspaper reported Mugabe as having told the incoming British envoy Andrew Pocock when he went to present his credentials.

"We need a bridge with the British. Politicians come and go but the people are there all times."

Pocock will replace Rodrick Pullen who left Harare before completing his tenure, citing family commitment.

Zimbabwe's relations with Britain have soured in recent years most notably over the seizures in 2000 of thousands of farms owned by white Zimbabweans, many of whom also held British citizenship.

Hostility between Mugabe and British Prime Minister Tony Blair worsened two years ago after Blair told parliament that Britain was working with the opposition and civil society to "effect change in the regime" in Harare.

Mugabe is reported to have told the new British ambassador "you don't do about changing governments. You leave it to the people, unless there is chaos and a country needs assistance; even then there are regional organisations.

"You don't just say from 10 Downing Street: ''I don't like that man.'' I did not say Blair must like or love me. I am a man. I am offended by gay values. My people love me."

Zimbabwe's ruling party called last year's parliamentary elections "anti-Blair elections" calling on Zimbabweans to "bury Blair" by voting for the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front -- AFP
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