UK WITHDRAWS ZIM HIGH COMMISSIONER

BRITAIN has recalled its High Commissioner to Zimbabwe after customs officials forcibly opened diplomatic bags at Harare airport. Junior foreign minister Peter Hain described Zimbabwe’s action as “a grave breach of the Vienna Convention”. “Zimbabwe should be in no doubt that this is totally unacceptable behaviour. Hain said the bag had contained routine “protective screening equipment for communications as well as the tools for its installation.” He also said the equipment was commonplace at diplomatic missions around the world. State radio in Zimbabwe said customs officials had discovered “sensitive communications gadgets”.