Mugabe says he is open to talks after run-off elections

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(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-06-25 20:42

HARARE -- Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe has said the government is open to negotiations with anyone but the legal process has to be followed to its logical conclusion and that the focus now was on completing the election run-off as enshrined in the Constitution, The Herald reported on Wednesday.

Addressing star rallies at Banket Secondary School and Dema Growth Point in western Zimbabwe on Tuesday, Mugabe said the talks have to come in an agreeable manner. "We are open, open to discussion but we have our own principles," he said.

"If they (opposition) have problems they can always bring them forward and that is how we came up with amendments to Aippa and Posa," he said.

Mugabe said the Southern African Development Community (SADC) was there simply as a forum for the parties to operate in. " However, those who seek to impose themselves on us and make idiotic noises would not bother us," he said.

The president also said the government would not tolerate interference from any quarter because Zimbabweans would decide whether the elections are free and fair.

"We are a sovereign nation and the elections are ours. We will accept judgment on the basis of objectivity. If you harbour any ulterior motives then keep your judgment to yourself. The verdict is ours as the people of Zimbabwe. They can shout as loud as they want from Washington and London, but our people will deliver the final verdict," he said.

Zimbabwe, Mugabe declared, was ready to repel and resist any threat or hint of interference in the internal political system , saying any settlement of the impasse or disagreements with the opposition MDC-T should not be foisted from outside but should have its roots in the country.