U.S.: Zimbabwe could see 'massive starvation'

updated 1:15 p.m. ET June 6, 2008

HARARE, Zimbabwe - The U.S. ambassador to Zimbabwe on Friday warned of possible "massive starvation" there as police again detained opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai.

The opposition said its rallies had been banned indefinitely three weeks before the presidential runoff, while the U.S. ambassador accused President Robert Mugabe's regime of using food as a weapon to stay in power.

U.S. Ambassador James McGee said the regime is distributing food mostly to its supporters and that those backing the opposition are offered food only if they hand in identification that would allow them to vote.

If the situation continues, "massive, massive starvation" will result, McGee told reporters in Washington by video conference from Harare.

Aid groups in Zimbabwe were ordered Thursday to halt their operations, leaving impoverished Zimbabweans dependent on the government and Mugabe's party.

On Friday, Morgan Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change said that police had banned the party's rallies out of concern for the safety of Tsvangirai and other party leaders. The open-ended ban only affects the opposition.

Tsvangirai spokesman George Sibotshiwe called the justification "nonsense," and said the ban was "a clear indication that the regime will do everything necessary to remain in power."

Tsvangirai beat Mugabe in the March 29 first round, but did not garner the 50 percent plus one vote necessary to avoid a runoff, which is scheduled for June 27.

Opposition and human rights groups accuse Mugabe of orchestrating violence to ensure he wins re-election amid growing unpopularity for his heavy-handed rule and the country's economic collapse.

Questioned while campaigning
Tsvangirai had been trying to campaign Friday around Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second largest city. He was stopped at two roadblocks, and the second time was ordered to a police station about 30 miles from Bulawayo.

About two hours later, he and reporters with him were allowed to leave the station, and they drove back to Bulawayo under police escort.

Tsvangirai was questioned by police for 25 minutes at the station, and was told that all party rallies in the country had been banned indefinitely, Sibotshiwe said.

On Wednesday, Tsvangirai said he was detained for nine hours at another police station near Bulawayo. Police spokesman Wayne Bvudzijena denied police were interfering with the opposition campaign.

Bvudzijena said he was not aware of Friday's incidents, but said that it is not uncommon for police to stop drivers at roadblocks to ensure they are not transporting weapons.

"Tsvangirai and his convoy are not immune to search," he said. "They can be searched at any roadblock they pass."

He also said candidates had been told they needed to inform police before holding a political rally.

McGee also expressed concern Friday for Tsvangirai, who has survived at least three assassination attempts. In 1997, unidentified assailants tried to throw him from a 10th-floor window.

Last year, he was hospitalized after a brutal assault by police at a prayer rally. Images seen around the world of his bruised and swollen face have come to symbolize the plight of dissenters in Zimbabwe.

"Do I fear for Morgan Tsvangirai's life? Given the excesses of the government here, we are not sure what they will do," McGee said.

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