Don't make Mugabea martyr, Tsvangirai tells Cook
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Your support makes all the difference.Zimbabwe's main opposition leader told Britain yesterday to tone down its criticism of President Robert Mugabe or risk playing into his hands by turning him into a martyr.
Speaking before a meeting with Robin Cook, the Foreign Secretary, Morgan Tsvangirai urged Britain to promote dialogue and give Mr Mugabe an "honourable way" out of the crisis triggered by the occupation by squatters of hundreds of white-owned farms in Zimbabwe. The alternative, he warned, was to give him the excuse of "being made a martyr in the eyes of Zimbabwe".
The 76-year-old president was "going for broke", Mr Tsvangirai said. "Mugabe doesn't care if he brings down the country with him."
Mr Tsvangirai's remarks, coupled with a claim by Mr Cook to have detected a possible softening of Mr Mugabe's position, seemed to indicate a cooling of the confrontation which has brought Zimbabwe to the brink of anarchy - at least as seen from London.
Before their meeting at the Foreign Office yesterday, both Mr Cook and Mr Tsvangirai endorsed the need for open and equitable land reform, which should be linked to an end to the occupation of the farms, restoration of the rule of law, and free and fair elections. Both also oppose the use of sanctions against Zimbabwe, at least at the present stage.
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