‘Body bag’ threat for UK diplomat

HARARE – A state-controlled newspaper in Zimbabwe yesterday warned that the spokesperson for the British embassy could be sent back to Britain in a body bag for allegedly supporting the main opposition party.

An editorial writer claimed in the Herald’s main opinion article that Gillian Dare was a prime target for deportation and warned she could get caught in crossfire by supporting the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). “It will be a pity for her family to welcome her at Heathrow airport in a body bag just like some of her colleagues from Iraq and Afghanistan,” the article written by David Samuriwo said.Since the March 11 crackdown against the MDC, which saw scores of opposition activists arrested and severely assaulted in police custody, Western diplomats have closely followed the court appearances of those detained, including MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai.Their show of concern has infuriated President Robert Mugabe’s government.The 83-year-old leader threatened to expel them.And last month Zimbabwe’s foreign minister said the concern shown by Western diplomats for detained activists amounted to unwarranted political interference in the country’s internal affairs.The Herald alleged that Dare was the purse-holder and financier of the violence being perpetrated by the MDC and was recruiting journalists both in and outside Zimbabwe to write articles denigrating Mugabe and his government.Sapa-dpa”It will be a pity for her family to welcome her at Heathrow airport in a body bag just like some of her colleagues from Iraq and Afghanistan,” the article written by David Samuriwo said.Since the March 11 crackdown against the MDC, which saw scores of opposition activists arrested and severely assaulted in police custody, Western diplomats have closely followed the court appearances of those detained, including MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai.Their show of concern has infuriated President Robert Mugabe’s government.The 83-year-old leader threatened to expel them.And last month Zimbabwe’s foreign minister said the concern shown by Western diplomats for detained activists amounted to unwarranted political interference in the country’s internal affairs.The Herald alleged that Dare was the purse-holder and financier of the violence being perpetrated by the MDC and was recruiting journalists both in and outside Zimbabwe to write articles denigrating Mugabe and his government.Sapa-dpa