Zimbabwe's Tsvangirai calls for "national healing"
Wednesday, 25 Jun 2008 15:34
Morgan Tsvangirai leaves refuge of Dutch embassy to demand negotiated political settlement 'to heal' Zimbabwe
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Morgan Tsvangirai has briefly left the sanctuary of the Dutch embassy to say a negotiated political settlement is the only solution to
Zimbabwe's political crisis.
The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader, speaking three days after first seeking refuge, said talks were needed to begin a period of "national healing".
He later returned to the protection of the embassy after delivering his speech.
The United Nations and
African Union have led international condemnation of Robert Mugabe's decision not to postpone the presidential runoff this Friday despite Mr Tsvangirai's withdrawal.
He pulled out of the vote due to the escalating politically-motivated violence which has already claimed the lives of at least 80 MDC supporters.
At a news conference outside his Harare residence on Wednesday, Mr Tsvangirai called on Mr Mugabe's government to end the violent campaign of voter intimidation and disband the Zanu-PF militias.
He also demanded humanitarian groups be readmitted back into the country; the immediate swearing in off assembly and senate members and for all political prisoners to be freed.
Mr Tsvangirai also called for the immediate release of party general secretary Tendai Biti – who has been charged with treason – and told journalists it was with a "heavy heart" he first decided to participate in the runoff, despite winning the popular vote in the initial March 29th poll.
"It is now generally accepted the violence we have endured is unprecedented," he said. "The harassment of pro-democracy movements is getting worse; this must stop."
He continued to thank messages of solidarity from the UN, AU, African National Congress and the Southern African Development Community.
"The international community is united by a desire for the violence to end immediately and for the will of the people of Zimbabwe to prevail."
In a message to the people of Zimbabwe he added: "It seems darkest at the moment but we must not give up.
"In the future the people of Africa and the entire world will point to your achievements...
"Your children will look back and be proud of the sacrifices you and your brothers and sisters made."