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Zimbabwe Says No to EU Observer Team VOA News 12 Feb 2002 07:18 UTC 
Zimbabwe says it will not accredit an EU delegation now in Harare to observe next month's presidential election.
Foreign Minister Stan Mudenge Monday ruled out accreditation for the team, headed by Pierre Schori of Sweden. Mr. Mudenge says citizens of Sweden and five other European countries will not be allowed to observe the election to be held March ninth and 10th. Other banned countries are Denmark, Finland, Britain, Germany and the Netherlands.
Mr. Mudenge says as far as Zimbabwe is concerned Mr. Schori is nothing more than a tourist in Zimbabwe.
The Swedish delegate says he is not there as a tourist and he will seek clarification on the accreditation issue from Zimbabwe's government as early as Tuesday. E-U spokesman Stefan Amer says the two sides are working on the request for accreditation and a solution is expected soon.
The six banned countries have been among the most outspoken critics of President Robert Mugabe, who faces mounting international criticism for cracking down on political opposition and restricting journalists ahead of the elections. Mr. Mugabe faces stiff competition from Morgan Tsvangirai, of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change.
The European Union has threatened sanctions against Zimbabwe if its observers are not allowed to monitor the voting.
The decision not to accredit the Swedish-led EU team came on the heels of more political violence. Gasoline bombs were thrown at Zimbabwe's main independent newspaper and a printing house in the city of Bulawayo, 260 kilometers west of Harare.
The attack Monday morning caused only minor damage to the offices of The Daily News and to the nearby Daily Print, which puts out campaign material for Mr. Tsvangirai's party. There are no reports of injuries and police say they are investigating.
Some information for this report provided by AFP and DPA.
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