Rice Calls Zimbabwe President a 'Disgrace'
By Associated Press | March 31, 2008
JERUSALEM — Secretary of State Rice yesterday branded Zimbabwe's president a "disgrace" to his people and to Africa, and expressed concerns about whether the country held free and fair elections.
Ms. Rice, in the Mideast for peace talks, made the harsh comments after voting Saturday in Zimbabwe that presented President Mugabe with the toughest challenge to his 28-year rule. The main opposition party yesterday claimed an early lead; preliminary results were expected by today.
"We've made very clear our concerns about how this election might be conducted, given the very bad record of Mr. Mugabe concerning his people, the opposition, and the region," Ms. Rice told reporters after meeting with Israeli and Palestinian Arab leaders.
