{UAH} I don’t want your girls, Mugabe tells France

I don't want your girls, Mugabe tells France
11/10/2013 00:00:00
by AFP






Let's get to trade ... President Robert Mugabe


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PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe on Thursday called on European nations to lift
sanctions on Zimbabwe in order to boost trade ties.

"We do not want to visit France. I do not want your girls. I do not
want to visit France for romantic purposes. I want to develop
relations between us," he said.

Speaking while he met the diplomats from France, Germany and Holland,
the 89-year-old urged France to consider whether sanctions should be
kept in place.

"Can France have a national introspection and see whether it's right
to continue to pursue the policy of sanctions against Zimbabwe," he
said.

EU countries imposed travel bans and asset freezes on Mugabe, his
inner circle and linked companies, following elections in 2002 which
western observers said were rigged to hand him victory.

"We must now look at the future and the need for sanctions to go," Mugabe said.

The EU lifted most of its sanctions earlier this year, yet an asset
freeze and travel ban remains for the veteran leader.
"We want the removal of economic sanctions so we can export beef to
Europe. Let's get to trade," said Mugabe, whose 33-year rule was
extended in July polls.

"Let our flowers find home in the Netherlands. Let our greens find
their way into the Dutch market but for as long as there are
sanctions, this will be difficult."

The EU and US, which also has sanctions in place, rejected the recent
vote on grounds that the polls were not credible.

Mugabe has threatened western countries with retaliation over the sanctions.