Posted on 06/03/2013 10:48:46 PM PDT by nickcarraway
PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe has said he won't step down because of pressure from Britain and other countries for a change in government.
“You want me to retire? You do not talk of retirement when elections are coming, do you?” the 89-year-old president told Kyodo News in an interview in the Japanese city of Yokohama where he was attending and a thre- day summit on African development.
Mugabe will lead his Zanu PF party in elections to choose a substantive government this year, replacing the coalition administration he formed with rival Morgan Tsvangirai after disputed polls in 2008.
The Constitutional Court ruled Friday that the elections must be held by July 31.
“Retirement will come when the occasion demands it. But just now we are going to fight to beat the sanctions and to disgrace the Europeans and the Americans who thought we will collapse,” Mugabe added.
"I've thought about retirement, but not when the British are saying we want regime change. I won't be changed by the British. My people will change me.
“I do not retire from their government (Europeans), I am a Zimbabwean serving Zimbabwean people. If my people say I must retire, I retire. But they still want me to go on.
“So, who is saying I must retire? The same enemies who imposed sanctions on me? That’s the more reason why I will not retire and will not die also.”
The veteran leader again lashed at Europe for imposing sanctions against Zimbabwe.
“People of Europe are surprised why we are still alive,” he said. “They thought we were going to die, all of us, and this ‘monster’ called Robert Mugabe, they announced how many deaths of me? I don’t know now.
“I have ceased to count how many times they have said he has died, but here you are seeing me. I am not a ghost after dying so many times. A ghost of a ghost, of a ghost.”
He dismissed suggestions the sanctions under which he is banned from travelling to most Western countries had isolated him and his regime.
“The world’s two biggest countries China and India, over a billion people each, and the whole of Asia I can visit any country and so it’s not isolation,” he said.
“What do I have to do with those robbers of Europe? They lived on our natural resources, depended on our gold. Now they have exhausted their natural resources.
Keep talking, Zim Bob Rob.
Can you say Lautenberg!
Because Mr. Mugabe can't be `aprintin those.
Are you paying attention Mr. Bernake?
You appear to be heading down the same road Ben.
.
I wonder if the current occupant of the White House is thinking along the same lines. He may not want to be removed either.
The tried and tired tactic of deflecting from the mess he’s made by pointing at the white boogeyman who’s going to get everyone if they don’t mind the Great Black Father.
I find it at least a little surprising that no one has managed to put a bullet in Mugabe yet.
Granted, even if they do, it’s just going to end up a case of “meet the new boss, same as the old boss”.
Ah well, C’est L’Afrique and AfricaWinsAgain, and all that. Time for Rhodesia to make a comeback, says I.
No, Mugape. The people want you to die. Screaming.
Well, the UN made him a Special Envoy, didn’t they? Tourism?
He should have been strung-up on war crimes when he visited England a year or two ago. But no...wrong profile for that.
He will just trade off part of his country to China, who will provide logistical support to North Korea to print them.
The Brits won’t retire Mr. Mugabe, but Death will. At Dear Leader’s age [89], he’s staring at the Grim Reaper whether he admits it or not. I recall he had some serious medical problems just recently, so I’d not be making any long term plans Mr. Mugabe.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.