Brian Kennedy
19 March 2007
Washington, D.C. — The United States Government has said that it holds President Robert Mugabe "personally responsible" for the recent brutal attacks on opposition leaders.
"We hold President Mugabe personally responsible for these actions, and call on him to allow Zimbabweans the right to live without fear to fully participate in the political process," said Sean McCormack, a spokesman for the U.S. State Department, in an official statement.
The State Department also condemned the Zimbabwean government's refusal to allow injured opposition leaders to seek medical attention abroad.
"The United States condemns the Government of Zimbabwe's continued attacks on the political opposition, including additional arrests, beatings, and refusal to allow travel for necessary medical treatment," McCormack added.
Two women severely assaulted by security officials were prevented from traveling to South Africa to seek medical attention on Saturday.
The State Department ended its statement by suggesting that Mugabe was willing to use violence because he feared "free and open political debate."
Associated Press reported that the U.S. ambassador to Harare, Christopher Dell, walked out of a meeting on Monday in which Zimbabwe's foreign minister, Simearashe Mbengegwi warned a group of diplomats that they would be expelled if they supported the opposition.
Diplomats who spoke anonymously to the Associated Press said Dell left when Mbengegwi refused to answer questions.
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