Britain is vowing to press for action against Zimbabwe, one day after
China and Russia vetoed a U.S.-sponsored resolution that would have
imposed U.N. sanctions against the African nation.
The office
of British Prime Minister Gordon Brown Saturday announced that Mr.
Brown will urge European Union action against President Robert Mugabe's
government.
Mr. Brown is expected to discuss new EU measures with partners who gather for a Paris summit beginning Sunday.
The
prime minister's office said Mr. Brown will propose travel bans on
President Mugabe and action against companies owned by his allies.
The United States and Britain criticized China and Russia for vetoing the proposed U.N. sanctions on Friday.
The
resolution called for an arms embargo on Zimbabwe and financial and
travel restrictions on Mr. Mugabe and 13 others following violence
leading up to a widely-condemned presidential vote last month.
Zimbabwe praised the veto as a victory over international racism and meddling.
Mr.
Mugabe's ruling party and the party of opposition leader Morgan
Tsvangirai met Thursday and Friday to lay the groundwork for talks on
ending Zimbabwe's political turmoil.
President Mugabe was
re-elected in a one-candidate race after Mr. Tsvangirai withdrew days
before the vote. The opposition leader said he dropped out, because
more than 100 of his supporters had been killed in state-sponsored
violence.
Russia said the U.N.'s mandate did not apply to
Zimbabwe's political crisis because it did not pose an international
threat. China said the measure would hurt ongoing talks between
Zimbabwe's ruling and opposition parties.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
