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US to ignore Zimbabwe poll result US to ignore Zimbabwe poll result
(30 minutes later)
The US will not recognise the outcome of Friday's presidential election run-off in Zimbabwe, a senior state department official has said.The US will not recognise the outcome of Friday's presidential election run-off in Zimbabwe, a senior state department official has said.
Jendayi Frazer said Robert Mugabe could not claim a credible victory while opposition members were being killed.Jendayi Frazer said Robert Mugabe could not claim a credible victory while opposition members were being killed.
Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has pulled out due to the violence but Mr Mugabe says it will go ahead.Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has pulled out due to the violence but Mr Mugabe says it will go ahead.
A group of southern African leaders are holding an emergency meeting in Swaziland to discuss the crisis.A group of southern African leaders are holding an emergency meeting in Swaziland to discuss the crisis.
Presidents and senior officials from Swaziland, Angola and Tanzania - members of the Southern Africa Development Community (Sadc) peace and security committee - are expected to discuss the possibility of a transitional government for Zimbabwe.Presidents and senior officials from Swaziland, Angola and Tanzania - members of the Southern Africa Development Community (Sadc) peace and security committee - are expected to discuss the possibility of a transitional government for Zimbabwe.
The BBC's Mike Wooldridge says there has been speculation South African President Thabo Mbeki might attend, as he is Sadc's chief mediator. The BBC's Mike Wooldridge says there had been speculation South African President Thabo Mbeki might attend, as he is Sadc's chief mediator.
But he has already spoken to some of those attending the meeting and that input will be added to discussions, our correspondent adds.But he has already spoken to some of those attending the meeting and that input will be added to discussions, our correspondent adds.
We cannot, under these conditions, recognise the outcome if, in fact, this run-off goes forward Jendayi FrazerAssistant US Secretary of State Zimbabwe and the axis of impunityMugabe's remarkable comeback New media evades censorsCricket body to mull Zimbabwe banWe cannot, under these conditions, recognise the outcome if, in fact, this run-off goes forward Jendayi FrazerAssistant US Secretary of State Zimbabwe and the axis of impunityMugabe's remarkable comeback New media evades censorsCricket body to mull Zimbabwe ban
Meanwhile, UK-based mining giant Anglo American is reported to be investing $400m (£200m) in a Zimbabwe platinum mine, a UK newspaper says.Meanwhile, UK-based mining giant Anglo American is reported to be investing $400m (£200m) in a Zimbabwe platinum mine, a UK newspaper says.
The project, in the central district of Unki, would be the largest foreign investment in the country, the London Times said.The project, in the central district of Unki, would be the largest foreign investment in the country, the London Times said.
News of the investment comes amid mounting calls for increased sanctions on Zimbabwe's regime.News of the investment comes amid mounting calls for increased sanctions on Zimbabwe's regime.
CondemnationCondemnation
Mr Tsvangirai has been taking refuge in the Dutch embassy in Harare since late Sunday, saying he fears for his life. He has called for UN peacekeepers to enter Zimbabwe and protect MDC supporters until a new election can be held. Mr Tsvangirai, who has been taking refuge in the Dutch embassy in Harare since late Sunday, has called for UN peacekeepers to enter Zimbabwe and protect MDC supporters until a new election can be held.
Writing in Britain's Guardian newspaper, Mr Tsvangirai says the standard diplomatic approach has failed to resolve Zimbabwe's crisis and calls for a more "activist strategy".
The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) says some 86 of its supporters have been killed and 200,000 forced from their homes by militias loyal to the ruling Zanu-PF party. The government blames the MDC for the violence.The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) says some 86 of its supporters have been killed and 200,000 forced from their homes by militias loyal to the ruling Zanu-PF party. The government blames the MDC for the violence.
Ms Frazer, Assistant US Secretary of State for African Affairs, said Washington would not recognise the result of any vote held on Friday because the MDC had been violently forced out of the running. Ms Frazer, Assistant US Secretary of State for African Affairs, said Washington would not recognise the result of any vote held on Friday.
Her comments came amid growing international condemnation of the political crisis in Zimbabwe.
"People were being beaten and losing their lives just to exercise their right to vote for their leadership so we cannot, under these conditions, recognise the outcome if, in fact, this run-off goes forward," she said."People were being beaten and losing their lives just to exercise their right to vote for their leadership so we cannot, under these conditions, recognise the outcome if, in fact, this run-off goes forward," she said.
Her comments came amid growing international condemnation of the political crisis in Zimbabwe.
'Open to talks''Open to talks'
Senegal's President Abdoulaye Wade, after meeting Mr Mbeki on Tuesday, said he hoped there could be a power-sharing deal. The Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference issued a statement saying "the politically-motivated violence, intimidation and torture have made a just and fair run-off presidential election virtually impossible".
"We are deeply concerned at this situation and warn that unless there is a unified effort from the International Community with the leadership of Southern African Countries, the hopeless situation of violence, famine and uncertainty will result in a vast humanitarian crisis that will engulf the whole Southern African region."

ZIMBABWE AND ITS NEIGHBOURS

ZIMBABWE AND ITS NEIGHBOURS

Zimbabwe's opposition is hoping neighbouring countries will put pressure on President Robert Mugabe to step down. In the past they supported him. How are relations now?Zimbabwe's opposition is hoping neighbouring countries will put pressure on President Robert Mugabe to step down. In the past they supported him. How are relations now?
South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki is the key Zimbabwe mediator. He has refused to criticise Robert Mugabe but the ruling ANC and trade unions have urged him to take a stronger line.South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki is the key Zimbabwe mediator. He has refused to criticise Robert Mugabe but the ruling ANC and trade unions have urged him to take a stronger line.
Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa has taken the region's strongest line on Zimbabwe. He says Zimbabwe is a regional "embarrassment".Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa has taken the region's strongest line on Zimbabwe. He says Zimbabwe is a regional "embarrassment".
Angola's President Jose Eduardo dos Santos is one of Robert Mugabe's closest allies - they fought colonialism together in the 1970s. He has urged Mr Mugabe to stop the violence.Angola's President Jose Eduardo dos Santos is one of Robert Mugabe's closest allies - they fought colonialism together in the 1970s. He has urged Mr Mugabe to stop the violence.
Botswana has summoned a Zimbabwean envoy to complain about the political violence. It has been supportive of Zimbabwe's opposition.Botswana has summoned a Zimbabwean envoy to complain about the political violence. It has been supportive of Zimbabwe's opposition.
Namibia is a close ally of Zimbabwe - it, too, is planning to redistribute white-owned farms to black villagers. It has not criticised the election violence.Namibia is a close ally of Zimbabwe - it, too, is planning to redistribute white-owned farms to black villagers. It has not criticised the election violence.
Mozambique has hosted some white farmers forced from Zimbabwe and is seen as relatively sympathetic to Zimbabwe's opposition.Mozambique has hosted some white farmers forced from Zimbabwe and is seen as relatively sympathetic to Zimbabwe's opposition.
Tanzania's ruling party has a long history of close ties to Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party and its foreign minister has condemned the violence.Tanzania's ruling party has a long history of close ties to Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party and its foreign minister has condemned the violence.
DR Congo's President Joseph Kabila is an ally of Robert Mugabe, who sent troops to help his father, Laurent Kabila, fight rebels.DR Congo's President Joseph Kabila is an ally of Robert Mugabe, who sent troops to help his father, Laurent Kabila, fight rebels.
Malawi is seen as neutral. But some 3m people of Malawian origin are in Zimbabwe, mostly farmworkers who have lost their jobs and were often assaulted during farm invasions.Malawi is seen as neutral. But some 3m people of Malawian origin are in Zimbabwe, mostly farmworkers who have lost their jobs and were often assaulted during farm invasions.
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"We will try to install a transition government, a government where responsibilities will be shared," he said. Senegal's President Abdoulaye Wade who discussed Zimbabwe with Mr Mbeki on Tuesday, said he hoped there could be a power-sharing deal in the form of a transitional government.
Mr Mbeki has so far been keeping with his policy of "quiet diplomacy" towards Zimbabwe.Mr Mbeki has so far been keeping with his policy of "quiet diplomacy" towards Zimbabwe.
Mr Mugabe has said he will be open to negotiations - once the poll has gone ahead.Mr Mugabe has said he will be open to negotiations - once the poll has gone ahead.
"We are open, open to discussion, but we have our own principles," The Herald newspaper quotes him as saying."We are open, open to discussion, but we have our own principles," The Herald newspaper quotes him as saying.
No observers
A network of election observers has decided that it will not observe the re-run.A network of election observers has decided that it will not observe the re-run.
The Zimbabwe election support network - a grouping of 38 organisations - deployed more than 8,000 monitors during the election in March.The Zimbabwe election support network - a grouping of 38 organisations - deployed more than 8,000 monitors during the election in March.
But its vice chairperson, Irene Petras, told the BBC it had been struggling to get accreditation.But its vice chairperson, Irene Petras, told the BBC it had been struggling to get accreditation.
South Africa's governing ANC party added its voice to the criticism of Mr Mugabe's government on Tuesday.
In a statement the party said it was "deeply dismayed" that "hard-won democratic rights" were being trampled.
It referred to "compelling evidence of violence, intimidation and outright terror".
The BBC's Peter Biles in Johannesburg says that coming from South Africa - the most powerful country in the region - the ANC statement is a further sign of Mr Mugabe's growing isolation.
Monday saw the UN Security Council make its strongest pronouncements yet against Zimbabwe's government, unanimously agreeing to condemn the violence and saying a free and fair run-off election would be "impossible".
'Protective shield'
But Zimbabwe's veteran leader has shrugged off the criticism.
Speaking at a rally on Tuesday in the town of Banket, Mr Mugabe said: "They can shout as loud as they like from Washington or from London or from any other quarter. Our people, our people, only our people will decide - and nobody else."
Mr Mugabe has defied calls for Friday's vote to be called off
He accused Mr Tsvangirai of pulling out of the election because he became frightened of losing when he saw "a political hurricane coming his way".
Writing in Britain's Guardian newspaper, Mr Tsvangirai says the standard diplomatic approach has failed to resolve Zimbabwe's crisis and calls for a more "activist strategy".
He says UN peacekeepers should "separate the people from their oppressors and cast the protective shield around the democratic process for which Zimbabwe yearns" until new elections can be held under the supervision of African and international monitors.
The MDC won the parliamentary vote in March, and claims to have won the first round of the presidential contest - held on the same day - outright.The MDC won the parliamentary vote in March, and claims to have won the first round of the presidential contest - held on the same day - outright.
According to official results, Mr Tsvangirai was ahead of Mr Mugabe but failed to gain enough votes to avoid a run-off.According to official results, Mr Tsvangirai was ahead of Mr Mugabe but failed to gain enough votes to avoid a run-off.
Are you in Zimbabwe? Have you been affected by the violence? Tell us what's happening where you are using the form below or by text on +44 7786 20 50 85 - and let us know if you do not want your full name to be published.Are you in Zimbabwe? Have you been affected by the violence? Tell us what's happening where you are using the form below or by text on +44 7786 20 50 85 - and let us know if you do not want your full name to be published.
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