An Australian television network has accused Zimbabwe's main opposition leader of plotting to assassinate Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and to take power in a coup.

The opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai of the Movement for Democratic Change, immediately denied the report.

Australia's S-B-S network broadcast what it said is a secretly filmed video tape, in which Mr. Tsvangirai allegedly discussed the assassination plot in a meeting on December Fourth with a political consulting company in Montreal, Canada. However, the film is grainy and the faces of the participants are obscured.

Mr. Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change said in a statement that the Zimbabwean opposition leader has no plan, desire, or motive to eliminate President Mugabe. The opposition party says Mr. Tsvangirai is committed to the election process, and the charges are part of a government smear campaign.

Political violence has surged in Zimbabwe in the campaign before presidential elections next month, in which President Mugabe will face Mr. Tsvangirai. Most of the violence is blamed on Mr. Mugabe's ruling party.

Meanwhile, the Movement for Democratic Change says government security officials stopped Mr. Tsvangirai and accused him of carrying false documents on Tuesday. A party spokesman says Mr. Tsvangirai was detained for about 20 minutes at the international airport in the capital, Harare, after returning from a trip to South Africa. The spokesman says Mr. Tsvangirai was released after he was able to produce his passport.

(ap,reuters,prev)

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