We will assist Britons to leave, Zimbabwe government official says

Aug 18, 2007, 8:03 GMT

Harare/Johannesburg - A Zimbabwe government official has scoffed at reports that Britain is looking at contingency measures for the possible evacuation of up to 22,000 of its citizens from the crisis-wracked country, saying Harare would assist them to leave, official reports said Saturday.

Deputy Information Minister Bright Matonga was responding to reports in the British press earlier in the week that said Whitehall was concerned over deteriorating conditions in Zimbabwe and had ordered the Ministry of Defence to look at what logistical support it could provide in the event of a total meltdown.

The report, quoting unnamed ministry sources, said military evacuation of British citizens would only be used as a last resort.

Matonga, who has lived in Britain and has a British wife, told the official Herald newspaper: 'If, in our wildest dreams, such a wish from the British government occurs, why would they dare to send their evacuation team to Zimbabwe? We can assist them to leave.'

'This is not going to happen. Its only a dream. Zimbabwe is peaceful and secure, and millions of Britons are dying to come and stay in our country,' Matonga said.

Conditions in Zimbabwe are deteriorating, with chronic shortages of food, fuel, power and water.

Political tensions are on the rise ahead of parliamentary and presidential elections early in 2008, in which President Robert Mugabe is expected to seek another term in office.

Matonga also hit out at a decision by the Australian authorities to deport eight students who have been linked to families from Zimbabwe's ruling elite.

'We are not surprised by this move by Australia, a country born of descendants of British rapists and paedophiles that were deported from Britain,' he said.

The official said the expelled students would be able to enroll at universities in other countries such as Malaysia, which Harare deems friendly.