Zimbabwean President, Robert Mugabe, said southern African states would reject any attempt by US President George W. Bush to interfere in Zimbabwe?s affairs when he visits Africa this week. ?If he?s coming to dictate to us as to how we should run our countries, then we will say: ?Go back, go home Yankee?,? Mugabe told supporters at a rally in the southern province of Masvingo. His remarks were carried by state television. Last month, the United States urged southern African states to put more pressure on Mugabe to allow political change, warning that unrest and economic chaos in Zimbabwe would carry on threatening stability in the region if they did not act. Bush will visit two of Zimbabwe?s neighbours, South Africa and Botswana, during his July 7-12 trip to Africa. Washington has taken a hard line against Mugabe since he won presidential elections last year that Zimbabwe?s main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and several Western states denounced as fraudulent. Bush has said Mugabe, in power since Zimbabwe?s independence from Britain in 1980, is not a legitimate leader. The Bush administration has been trying to isolate Mugabe?s government internationally, but Zimbabwe?s neighbours have been reluctant to do so. Botswana and Angola said last month public criticism of Mugabe would only make him more intransigent.

Mugabe salary increases

The MDC, which has accused Mugabe of violence against its supporters, condemned a government decision to raise the salaries of the president and senior government members by nearly 600 per cent ? almost double the official inflation rate. ?While Mugabe looks after Mugabe, he is unable to do anything for the ordinary, suffering people of Zimbabwe,? MDC spokesman Paul Themba Nyathi told Reuters. Zimbabwe has been hit by a series of strikes for higher pay ? the most recent by junior doctors ? because of surging consumer inflation, ranked as one of the highest rates in the world. Companies struggling in a harsh business climate have failed to increase wages to match rising costs. Critics say Mugabe has ruined the economy through 23 years of mismanagement, causing chronic food and foreign currency shortages and record unemployment of more than 70 per cent. Mugabe denies responsibility for the country?s economic malaise and blames it on sabotage by local and international opponents angry over his seizure of white-owned farms for redistribution to landless blacks. The official Herald newspaper said Mugabe?s salary would rise from Z$3 million a year to Z$20.2 million (about US $11,222 at black market rates or $25,250 at official rates). In addition, Mugabe would receive more than two million Zimbabwe dollars in allowances, the Herald said, citing a government gazette notice. The Zimbabwe dollar trades at around 1,800 against the US dollar in a thriving black market ? more than double the official rate of 800. Last month, the MDC led a five-day strike against Mugabe?s rule that shut down industry and commerce in the capital Harare.

Stella Mapenzauswa