/ 17 May 1999

MUGABE DOES NOT PLAN TO RETIRE

PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe, to the surprise of no-one, has said in Harare that he has no plans to retire in two year’s time, as reports two weeks ago suggested. According to news agency Xinhua, Mugabe said at a Harare press conference that he will leave in his own time, and on his own terms. Recent press reports had said that the ruling Zanu-PF party politburo had agreed on a plan for his retirement.