Question Taken at March 19, 2007 Daily Press Briefing: Zimbabwe Crisis

Taken Question
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC   

March 19, 2007

Question Taken at March 19, 2007 Daily Press Briefing 

Zimbabwe: Crisis Update

Question: Did the Zimbabwe Foreign Minister summon foreign ambassadors and threaten to expel any who support opposition party members?    

Answer: Zimbabwean Minister of Foreign Affairs Simbarashe Mumbengegwi today summoned Western diplomats for a briefing on the current situation. Mumbengegwi read a statement of the Government's position and issued a threat to foreign diplomats to remain quiet or face being declared persona non grata. 

At the briefing, U.S. Ambassador Christopher Dell, sought assurances that the minister would provide diplomats an opportunity to respond. When the Ambassador did not receive these assurances, he departed refusing to participate in the Government's attempt to justify its recent brutality. 

The United States will continue to speak and act steadfastly in support of the people of Zimbabwe's right to democracy.   

2007/209    

Released on March 19, 2007