afrol News, 7 December - Despite hues and cries, President Mugabe of Zimbabwe has finally arrived in Portugal to attend the second Africa-EU summit.

Human rights organisations team up with the British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, campaigning against Mugabe's attendance. They blamed his government for its disregard for human rights and democracy.

Spain also wanted Mugabe not to attend the summit because he will divert attention from serious issues.

"We would all like it if he did not participate. That is the Spanish position," Miguel Angel Moratinos told business leaders and journalists.

African leaders had earlier threatened to boycott should Portugal refused to host the Zimbabwean leader.

Mugabe praised the EU for not "falling into a trap to internationalize an issue that concerns London and Harare exclusively." He said his government has got an axe to grind with UK over its land reforms.

"The sinister campaign by Britain to isolate us continues to disintegrate," he said. I wish to thank European Union and African countries for their support and I thank Portugal for their corrected reading of the situation.

"The night of trials and tribulations has undeniably been long. We are, however, confident a new dawn is on the horizon."

The Africa-EU summit, which starts at the weekend, will thoroughly discuss the new trade partnership the EU had been campaigning to sign with African countries. It will also deal with security, human rights and migration.

Harare officials on Tuesday dismissed the widened United States sanctions as a "waste of time" because they are enjoying "growing ties with alternative markets in China and other Asian giants."

The US had announced the inclusion of 40 more Mugabe cohorts in its list of sanctioned Zimbabwean officials. bring the total figure to 170 people.

However, Mugabe blamed the sanctions for being responsible for his country's economic shocks.

"There is nothing new in what they are saying. We have heard this before and it failed to work. They are actually wasting their time because we are now doing business with friendly countries,” Zimbabwean Deputy Spokesman, Bright Matonga, reacted.

Matonga the Zimbabwean economy is enjoying a revamp from its bi-laterals with China and India.

"There are a billion people in China, a billion in India and far less in the US. Why should we go there? We can do business with friendly nations."

Mugabe has assured a free and fair elections next year and that foreign monitors would be invited. He warned Western powers to keep away from his country's domestic affairs.

"We will hold our elections guided by our constitution and as is our tradition we will invite friendly nations to observe the elections," Mugabe told the parliament and senate sitting.

President Mugabe said his government had achieved "sustained economic recovery", despite many the fact that many Zimbabweans reel with poverty.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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