Bush widens Zimbabwe sanctions

CRAWFORD, Texas – US President George W.Bush has frozen the assets of 128 people and 33 entities deemed to be “hindering democratic reform in Zimbabwe,” the White House announced on Wednesday.

By executive order, Bush widened an original list of 77 people, including Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe, whose assets he froze in March 2003. “There is still time for the Government of Zimbabwe to avoid a further expansion of the sanctions list should it begin serious efforts to restore democratic norms and the rule of law,” said Bush spokeswoman Dana Perino.”The United States calls on all political actors in Zimbabwe to embrace democratic reforms, to engage in meaningful dialogue to resolve the current impasse, and to once again place the country on a path toward development and prosperity,” she said in a statement.- Nampa-AFP”There is still time for the Government of Zimbabwe to avoid a further expansion of the sanctions list should it begin serious efforts to restore democratic norms and the rule of law,” said Bush spokeswoman Dana Perino.”The United States calls on all political actors in Zimbabwe to embrace democratic reforms, to engage in meaningful dialogue to resolve the current impasse, and to once again place the country on a path toward development and prosperity,” she said in a statement.- Nampa-AFP