Rice presses China and Africa on Zimbabwe

BEIJING – US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice yesterday pressed China and African powers to back international action on Zimbabwe, while also raising hopes of fresh nuclear talks soon with North Korea.

US President George W Bush has said he would ask for UN action against what he called Zimbabwe’s illegitimate government following President Robert Mugabe’s re-election in a poll widely criticised for violence and intimidation. China and leading African powers have so far shied away from endorsing such steps.And following meetings with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and then President Hu Jintao, Rice told reporters that she wanted “not just another statement” from the United Nations.Rice urged the African Union, which is holding a summit due to discuss Zimbabwe, to back stronger action over Mugabe’s controversial re-election.”This is not an African issue alone…it is an issue for the Security Council,” Rice said.Rice was on the second and final day of a visit to China, where she first went to an earthquake-devastated city in the southwest before taking up Iran, North Korea and other international hotspots in talks with Beijing.China’s Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi on Sunday held back from saying where he stood on the UN steps on Zimbabwe floated by Washington.Nampa-ReutersChina and leading African powers have so far shied away from endorsing such steps.And following meetings with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and then President Hu Jintao, Rice told reporters that she wanted “not just another statement” from the United Nations.Rice urged the African Union, which is holding a summit due to discuss Zimbabwe, to back stronger action over Mugabe’s controversial re-election.”This is not an African issue alone…it is an issue for the Security Council,” Rice said.Rice was on the second and final day of a visit to China, where she first went to an earthquake-devastated city in the southwest before taking up Iran, North Korea and other international hotspots in talks with Beijing.China’s Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi on Sunday held back from saying where he stood on the UN steps on Zimbabwe floated by Washington.Nampa-Reuters