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UK criticises Mugabe's trip to food summit

Britain criticised Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe on Monday for attending this week's global food summit in Rome, saying he was responsible for food shortages in his own country.

  • Reuters
  • Published: 23:32 June 2, 2008
  • Gulf News

Rome: Britain criticised Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe on Monday for attending this week's global food summit in Rome, saying he was responsible for food shortages in his own country.

The leader of the former British colony flew into Rome late on Sunday, making his first official trip abroad since elections condemned by Western and opposition leaders as fraudulent.

He will attend a United Nations summit on soaring food prices and their impact on the world's poor starting on Tueday.

"We think it's particularly unfortunate that he has decided to attend this meeting given what he has done in relation to contributing to the difficulties with food supplies" in Zimbabwe, Prime Minister Gordon Brown's spokesman said.

The unexpected presence of Mugabe, accused by critics of running down agriculture and causing food shortages in his own country, could offer a rare opportunity for direct contacts with Western leaders.

However, Brown's spokesman said there was no plan for International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander, who will represent Britain at the summit, to meet Mugabe.

"He won't be meeting him or having anything to do with him. There won't be any engagement or interaction with Mugabe."

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