Brown: Mugabe boycott threat still stands
The pressure builds on Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe
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Monday, 08, Oct 2007 05:50
Gordon Brown today extended his threat that senior British government representatives would not attend a forthcoming Africa-EU summit if Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe attends.
The prime minister had earlier warned that he would boycott the talks, scheduled to take place in Lisbon this December, if the controversial African leader attends.
In his monthly press conference this lunchtime, Mr Brown ended speculation that his seat might be taken by an alternative UK representative like foreign secretary David Miliband with the statement: "I will not attend. No senior government minister will attend."
Mr Brown had argued that Mr Mugabe's presence would hinder the success of the summit because of his history of human rights abuses.
He maintained this line today, saying that he rejected the "abuse of human rights" and "poverty and degredation of his people" seen in the African state since Mr Mugabe came to power.
The Mugabe administration has repeatedly rejected international criticism of its record, which includes hyperinflation and harsh crackdowns on opposition parties.
On September 20th spokesperson Boniface Chidyausiku told BBC2's Newsnight programme that Mr Mugabe had a "sovereign right" to be present at the summit.
And one week later the man himself dismissed US president George Bush's description of his "tyrannical" regime as "rank hypocrisy".
"Mr Bush and Mr Brown have no role to play in our national affairs. They are outsiders and should therefore keep out," he said.