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Mugabe, Opposition Leader Formally Enter Zimbabwe Election Race VOA News 31 Jan 2002 13:52 UTC 
Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe and main opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai have formally become presidential candidates, setting the stage for what is expected to be a closely-fought election in March.
Zimbabwe's Justice Minister, Patrick Chinamasa, filed the election papers for President Mugabe Thursday, in the capital, Harare. Mr. Tsvangirai personally handed in his papers. Meanwhile, the official Herald newspaper has hailed the decision of Commonwealth foreign ministers to not recommend Zimbabwe's suspension from the 54-nation organization.
The newspaper said the decision by a Commonwealth ministerial group was a slap in the face of Britain, which had been pressing for sanctions against Zimbabwe, its former colony. Britain called for the suspension because of President Mugabe's crackdown on political opposition and the media ahead of the March presidential elections.
Eight Commonwealth foreign ministers, meeting in London Wednesday, did express deep concern about continued violence, political intimidation, and actions against media freedom in Zimbabwe. They demanded an immediate end to the violence and intimidation and called for all parties in Zimbabwe's upcoming presidential elections to be allowed to campaign freely.
They also said international observers should be sent to Zimbabwe to monitor the elections.
Some information for this report provided by AFP and Reuters.
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