Mugabe accuses Blair and Bush govts of trying to topple him

HARARE – Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe vowed yesterday he would never retreat in the face of what he called US and British government attempts to oust him.

In a speech to thousands of mourners at the burial of veteran Zimbabwean nationalist Eddison Zvobgo, Mugabe said the two countries wanted to topple his government following his seizures of white-owned farms to resettle landless blacks. “They talk about regime change unashamedly… Who are they to us?” he said to loud applause.”It’s not going to happen in this country.There will not be regime change except through the people of Zimbabwe.They are the only ones who can bring about regime change,” he said.Mugabe, in power since Zimbabwe won independence from Britain 24 years ago, has been at the centre of a storm over charges he rigged his Zanu-PF party’s victory in parliamentary polls four years ago and his own re-election in 2002.Mugabe said his government’s western opponents, led by Britain, had deployed hundreds of people working under non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to destabilise Zimbabwe, and to try to oust him.”We are now wise, too wise to be cheated,” he said.”We shall never retreat.”Mugabe has previously drawn comparisons between the US and British-led ouster of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein and their stance against his own government, mainly over his land reforms and his controversial re-election.Both the main opposition and several western countries say that election was rigged.In June, Blair told parliament his government was working closely with Zimbabwe’s opposition Movement for Democratic Change on measures to be taken in Zimbabwe.- Nampa-Reuters”They talk about regime change unashamedly… Who are they to us?” he said to loud applause.”It’s not going to happen in this country.There will not be regime change except through the people of Zimbabwe.They are the only ones who can bring about regime change,” he said.Mugabe, in power since Zimbabwe won independence from Britain 24 years ago, has been at the centre of a storm over charges he rigged his Zanu-PF party’s victory in parliamentary polls four years ago and his own re-election in 2002.Mugabe said his government’s western opponents, led by Britain, had deployed hundreds of people working under non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to destabilise Zimbabwe, and to try to oust him.”We are now wise, too wise to be cheated,” he said.”We shall never retreat.”Mugabe has previously drawn comparisons between the US and British-led ouster of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein and their stance against his own government, mainly over his land reforms and his controversial re-election.Both the main opposition and several western countries say that election was rigged.In June, Blair told parliament his government was working closely with Zimbabwe’s opposition Movement for Democratic Change on measures to be taken in Zimbabwe.- Nampa-Reuters