afrol News, 12 May - Western countries would be barred from observing presidential election run-off in Zimbabwe unless they waive sanctions against the country and its leadership. Western observers were not allowed to monitor the first ballot.

"We will not allow them (Western countries) because they are players," Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa told 'The Herald'.

"We will think favourably of them if they lift sanctions. Until they do that, there is no basis to have any relationship with them," he said, insisting that Zimbabwean government would not bow down to opposition pressures to invite certain international observers.

The leader of the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Morgan Tsvangirai at the weekend said he would participate in the election re-run provided certain conditions were met. His conditions include the presence of international peacekeepers, election observers, free media and an end to violence against his supporters.

The MDC leadership on Saturday held a meeting with Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, urging him to send regional Southern African Development Community (SADC) peacekeepers to ensure peace prevails in the second round.

But Justice Minister was quick to brush aside Tsvangirai's demands.

"Tsvangirai seeks to introduce new rules in a game that has already started. He should stop playing or acting like a spoilt child," Chinamasa said.

"He wants the UN to observe the elections yet the UN did not observe the 1980 elections. We will act in accordance with our electoral laws as negotiated in our SADC dialogue."

Mr Tsvangirai, who has been coordinating his party's affairs outside Zimbabwean borders, won the first ballot, but failed to obtain the require over 50% votes to become President. He had planned to return home to contest the election re-run, which should have taken place 21 after the results were announced.

More than 100 top government officials have had their assets frozen by the US and EU imposed political sanctions in 2002 after they accused President Robert Mugabe of rigging the 2002 election. A travel ban was also slammed on the officials while an arms embargo was placed on Zimbabwe.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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