The British Foreign Secretary has promised dialogue with Zimbabwe over land reform. This follows a warning that criticism of President Mugabe might have been too harsh and risked making a martyr out of him. On a visit to London, Zimbabwean opposition leader said that Mr Mugabe was using land seizures to boost his own political popularity before elections by creating a row with the old colonial ruler.
However, Morgan Tsvangirai, has warned against pushing the President into confrontation with the international community. He has accused Mr Mugabe of pushing his country to the brink of economic ruin by supporting the occupation of the farms. However, he urged Britain not to withhold funding for Zimbabwe's programme of land reform.
President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe launched a fierce attack on Britain earlier. In his address to delegates attending the G77 conference of Third World nations in Havana, Mr Mugabe appealed for support from developing countries in the row. He accused Britain of perpetuating an historical injustice and said that the transfer of land would continue, despite threats of international sanctions.
