More US sanctions planned

The United States is looking at deepening sanctions against Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and his supporters but will continue to provide humanitarian aid, a senior US official has announced. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Fraser said the US, which already has tough financial and travel sanctions in place against Mugabe and members of his government, wants to do more. "We are looking at additional sanctions against individuals who are supporting this regime. We can deepen the sanctions that are already there, can add more individuals to those travel sanctions," she said. "One day his [Mugabe's] government will come to an end and his people will still be there and they will need to restore that economy and that society," Fraser said.
She also urged China, a strong investor in Zimbabwe, to put more pressure on Mugabe. "The Chinese may be trying to rescue this government. We are looking to the Chinese to put pressure on the government of Sudan and we would hope they would not support the repressive regime in Zimbabwe," Fraser added. (The Mail & Guardian, South Africa)