US weighing more sanctions against Zimbabwe

Jun 27, 2008, 18:24 GMT

Washington - The United States will 'take a very strong look' at the possibility of extending sanctions on Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's government following the 'sham' elections that took place on Friday, the US State Department said.

The United States already has sanctions on Zimbabwe, some members of Mugabe's family and other 'cronies' in his government and more steps may be on the way, deputy spokesman Tom Casey said.

'You will see us take a very strong look at additional measures that we might be able to take in a bilateral capacity against Zimbabwe,' Casey told reporters.

Casey accused Mugabe of employing thugs to attack supporters of opposition candidate Morgan Tsvangirai and his Movement for Democratic Change party, and using intimidation and violence to ensure he won the run-off election.

Tsvangirai dropped out of the race on Sunday over fears his life was in danger and fled to the Dutch embassy in the capital Harare. Tsvangirai won more votes in the March 29 election but not enough for an outright victory in balloting international observers believed was rigged to keep Tsvangirai from winning.

Since then, Mugabe government has launched a brutal crackdown on the opposition, carrying out attacks that has left at least 90 people dead and warning voters of consequences of casting ballots for Tsvangirai.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, attending a G8 meeting in Kyoto, Japan, told reporters she intends to urge the UN Security Council to embrace measures against the Mugabe regime. She called the vote a 'sham.'

The G8 foreign ministers issued a statement rejecting the legitimacy of the Zimbabwean government following the vote. The European Union also called the election a 'sham.'