Mugabe flashes win at Britain

President Robert Mugabe said on Saturday his crushing victory in Zimbabwe’s parliamentary election was a message to British Prime Minis...

President Robert Mugabe said on Saturday his crushing victory in Zimbabwe’s parliamentary election was a message to British Prime Minister Tony Blair, whom he regards as his chief enemy.

Mugabe’s ZANU-PF secured a two-thirds majority in parliament after Thursday’s election, giving it sweeping powers to change the constitution. The Opposition and Western powers, including Britain, denounced the poll as a travesty.

As final results were declared, Mugabe said his government would be prepared to mend fences with former colonial ruler Britain, although he has previously excluded taking the initiative.

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He also spoke vaguely about ZANU-PF engaging in dialogue with the Opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), which suffered a humiliating poll defeat.

Asked what message he had for the British leader after an election he had branded the ‘‘anti-Blair’’ poll, Mugabe said: ‘‘I hope the result of the election has been an effective message.’’

‘‘We have been at the receiving end of blows inflicted on us by Mr Blair, within the Commonwealth, within the European Union — getting the EU to impose sanctions on us, presenting an image that there is no rule of law, and that is false.’’

‘‘We are very angry for that. But if he wants reconciliation, we are ready,’’ he added.

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Referring to Blair’s own electoral test — expected in May — Mugabe said: ‘‘Zimbabwe will never interfere in the domestic affairs of Britain. He should not fear any interference.’’

During the campaign, Mugabe appeared to be campaigning moreagainst Blair than MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai, whom he dismissed as a British puppet.

Mugabe challenged the MDC, which has now suffered its third electoral defeat in five years, to accept defeat. ‘‘The losing side must not look at it as the end of the world and must be sporting enough to accept defeat and not look for all kinds of excuses that might complicate relations,’’ Mugabe said.

Efforts by South Africa to broker talks between ZANU-PF and the MDC have made little progress. Analysts doubt a more dominant ruling party will be better disposed to dialogue with an Opposition it says is controlled by Britain. —Reuters