The United States State Department on Tuesday accused Zimbabwe of a ”pattern of intimidation” of journalists amid reports some foreign newsmen had fled the country after being questioned by the authorities.
Department spokesperson Richard Boucher said the administration was aware of reports that at least three journalists had felt compelled to leave the country after being interrogated about alleged breaches of the media laws.
Boucher said he did not know enough about the specifics of the three cases to comment but added: ”We have noted over time a pattern of intimidation of journalists”.
”We have noted over time the pattern in Zimbabwe of shutting down newspapers, shutting down civil society, restrictions on civil society, a climate where the opposition, for example, fears for its safety.”
Boucher said the United States also had more general concerns about President Robert Mugabe’s rule in Zimbabwe, which US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has designated one of six ”outposts of tyranny” in the world.
”We’ve also called attention to the parliamentary elections that are coming up on March 31, and made clear, as I think others have, that these need to be free and fair elections.”
He said the United States was ”emphasising that the open environment for journalists, the open environment for the opposition to peacefully contest the elections, needs to be ensured”.
Boucher also brushed off criticism by South African President Thabo Mbeki, who told The Financial Times that the public branding of Zimbabwe as an ”outpost of tyranny” would not help promote democracy there.
Boucher said President George Bush had also expressed concern over human rights violations in Zimbabwe and Rice’s position was based on ”solid fact.”
”I think if you look at the facts that we pointed to, there’s good reason for us to be concerned about Zimbabwe,” Boucher said. – Sapa-AFP