Maravi

(TALKZIMBABWE) West wants to recolonize Zimbabwe: Pres Mugabe

West wants to recolonize Zimbabwe: Pres Mugabe
AFP/Reuters/TZG reporters
Fri, 11 Sep 2009 19:14:00 +0000

PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe has accused Western nations of wanting to recolonize Zimbabwe. President Mugabe on Friday called the West "neocolonialists" who "still want our land." He also said sanctions punished Zimbabwean people and forced them to live in poverty. He condemned "bloody whites" for meddling in Zimbabwe's affairs.

"Who said the British and the Americans should rule over others? That's why we say down with you. We have not invited these bloody whites. They want to poke their nose into our own affairs. Refuse that," he said.

He was addressing the youth wing of his Zanu PF party on the eve of a visit by EU officials to Zimbabwe.

"We have stood stood firm and we have refused to let go. Zimbabwe, sanctions or no sanctions, Zimbabwe remains ours."

President Mugabe said "imperialists" want to take Zimbabwe's heritage.

"Why are they sanctions? Why are our people being punished? It is because the imperialists want our heritage," he said

He also insisted he would not back down from land reforms launched nine years ago, which saw white-occupied farms resettled with landless blacks in a bid to redress colonial-era inequities. 0.5% of the white population owned 95% of the land.

"There is no reversal of the land reform programme at all," President Mugabe said.

"The land reform exercise is irreversible. Those who have sought relief from outside Zimbabwe should know that land acquisition is through legal means and for that reason, the noises they make will simply frustrate them more," he said.

Regional Sadc leaders have called for the lifting of sanctions against Zimbabwe.

EU officials will be in Zimbabwe on Saturday for the first such visit in eight years. The visit marks a thawing of ties after President Mugabe formed an inclusive Government with former opposition leader and now Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai in February.

Labels: COLOUR REVOLUTIONS, MUGABE, NEOCOLONIALISM

posted by MrK @ 7:50 AM