Tsvangirai seeks sanctuary in Dutch embassy
Monday, 23 Jun 2008 14:54
Morgan Tsvangirai says he is open to talks with Robert Mugabe's party after dropping out of Zimbabwean presidential vote
Former
Zimbabwean presidential candidate Morgan Tsvangirai has been granted refuge in the Dutch embassy in Harare.
The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader entered the compound shortly after police raided the headquarters of his party.
It was not immediately clear why Mr Tsvangirai selected the Netherlands embassy but a spokesman confirmed the request for refuge was made yesterday when he announced his withdrawal from this Friday's presidential runoff.
Earlier on Monday Mr Tsvangirai has said he was willing to negotiate with Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party.
He told South
African radio a precursor for talks with Mr Mugabe's party was a cessation of the violence which forced him to quit the runoff.
"We are prepared to negotiate with Zanu-PF but of course it is important that certain principles are accepted before the negotiations take place," he said.
"One of the preconditions is that this violence against the people must be stopped."
The MDC says almost 90 of its supporters, their wives or children have been killed since the original presidential vote of March 29th, which Mr Tsvangirai won but failed to gain a decisive majority.
On Monday the African Union Commission chairman Jean Ping expressed "grave concern" over escalating violence following widespread international condemnation for Mr Mugabe's regime.
Mr Mugabe has ruled Zimbabwe for 28 years since it broke away from colonial power Britain, but Levy Mwanawasa, leader of neighbouring Zambia, said the situation in Zimbabwe was now an "embarrassment" to the region.
Despite Mr Tsvangirai's withdrawal from the vote scheduled for June 27th, the country's government has insisted it will maintain its campaign and that the poll will go ahead.