G8 calls for swift release of Zimbabwe poll results

">"> G8 Calls For Release Of Swift Zimbabwe Poll ResultsHARARE (AFP) - The foreign ministers of the Group of Eight major countries Thursday called for the speedy release of the results of Zimbabwe's presidential polls challenged, condemning the recent acts of violence there.The ministers of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States urged a "timely, credible and truly democratic resolution of this situation in accordance with the wishes of the people of Zimbabwe" ;. In a joint statement issued by Japan, the current chairman of the G8, the ministers called in the wake of the presidential election "to be released promptly and in accordance with due process of law." Police Zimbabwe cracked down on supporters of the opposition to a general strike fizzled out on Wednesday, while the doctors said they had treated more than 150 victims of the post-election political beatings.In New York meanwhile, secretary General of the United Nations Ban ki-moon! warned that the crisis could have implications for democracy throughout Africa.President Robert Mugabe security forces reduced their presence in the capital Harare because it is clear the strike had failed, but not before they arrested 56 people for what they said public order. "They arrested a large number of people, more than 50, mostly staff members of the MDC, including a member of parliament, "Nelson Chamisa, a spokesman for the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), told AFP." We do not know why they were arrested. There is no Crime staying away (from work). crime is the one being committed by the ZEC (the electoral commission), which is withholding the results, "Chamisa said.The MDC had called on its supporters to stay off work from Tuesday until the outcome of the presidential election on March 29 was announced, after his legal bid to flush results was rejected by the courts.With result of the presidential always no more two weeks after the vote, the cris! is became more and more attention to the crisis overshadowed a! field.Th e Security Council UN talks on closer cooperation with the African Union. Ban told its members: "The credibility of the democratic process in Africa could be at stake here." If there is a second round of elections, they must be conducted in a fair and transparent manner, with international observers, "he added . With an unemployment rate of over 80 percent and even the most basic foodstuffs only available on the black market, few workers could afford to take into account the opposition of the general strike-call.Anti Riot police were conspicuously absent from the streets on Wednesday, while traffic flowed Without being hampered by the roadblocks that had dotted the capital on the opening day of the strike.The magnitude of the problems the country was highlighted by new inflation figures for the month of February which brought the annual rate to nearly 165,000 percent, an increase of 100,000 percent the month Before.Tensions steadily mounting in the southern African country, ! the more delayed results of last month's presidential election.The opposition said two of its members were killed by supporters of Mugabe at the weekend in the politically motivated murders, while doctors said they had treated 157 patients who had been beaten and tortured since the poll. "One third of the patients are women, including a 15-year-old girl who was abducted with her mother at her home, was lying on his forehead and struck on the buttocks, "a statement said." Her mother, who is pregnant, was also beaten. both mother and daughter required hospital admission. "the group said half of the 30 patients were remains hospitalized in the Mudzi stronghold of the opposition, north-east of the Mugabe capital.Diplomatic sources told AFP that the so-called war veterans and other loyal supporters of his ruling ZANU - PF party was under way, targeting certain sectors of opposition to intimidation and beatings.In further unrest, an agricultural union said more than 130 white far! mers had been Driven from their land by Mugabe supporters, and! around 30 had not been able to return to their farms.At UN Ban - supported by some Western countries - urged southern African leaders to take "decisive steps" to end the crisis in Zimbabwe, Says l 'world organization stands ready to help. "We are seriously concerned by the escalation of politically motivated violence perpetrated by (Zimbabwe) security forces and the militia of the ruling party," American Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad told the gathering.Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai was beaten 84 Years claims Mugabe farm in the presidential battle, but the ruling party said neither man won an overwhelming victory and insisted on a runoff will be necessary. "Nobody believes that, given the results polling stations, that President Mugabe Won these elections, "the prime minister Gordon Brown of the former colonial power Britain told the Security Council UN meeting.Tsvangirai had earlier ruled out its participation in a second round of ballot, but back-pedalled from that position on! Tuesday, indicating that it would be competitive if international observers were allowed to monitor this .--- By AFPBy: CDVSTestArticle Directory: http://www.articledashboard . comCDVirtual services data entry test.

By: CDVSTest

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

CDVirtual Services Data Entry Test Account.

Multiple Sclerosis