Mugabe Threatens to Expel U.S, British Ambassadors
President Mugabe said the U.S. and British embassies in Zimbabwe were paying vendors to cause chaos in the country.
HARARE — Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe has threatened to expel ambassadors from the United States and Britain, accusing them of fomenting anarchy in his country. Late Wednesday, Mr. Mugabe said vendors were resisting calls by authorities to leave streets and settle at designated sights. He said the U.S. and British embassies in Zimbabwe were paying vendors to cause chaos in the country. “These are ambassadors of countries that imposed sanctions on us, so we have said we will kick them out of the country. They do not want to see peace in developing countries. They just want to see chaos; people fighting each (other), terrorism everywhere. British and American ambassadors - what kind of people are they? They are no good for us. Behave and you will be in peace with us. Misbehave and we will kick you in your bottom. It is our country." The U.S. and British embassies in Harare declined to comment. Relations between Harare and most Western countries became strained in 2002. That was after the United States and European Union imposed sanctions on the Mugabe government following allegations of human rights abuses and election rigging. Earlier this month, officials in Harare summoned the French ambassador to Zimbabwe,Laurent Delahousse, after the diplomat asked President Mugabe's government to look for an activist who has been missing since March. The activist, Itai Dzamara, disappeared after calling on Mr. Mugabe to step down, saying the president had failed to prop up the economy and respect human rights.