Zanu (PF) Congress

Addressing the 72nd Ordinary Session of his ruling Zanu (PF) party in the capital, Harare, ahead of critical congress of the ruling Zanu (PF) party that opens today, Mugabe scoffed at the confusion in Britain saying the former colonial power’s attempt to lobby EU countries to bar him from an EU/Africa summit last week had flopped because there was growing understanding of the Zimbabwe crisis in some countries in the European Union.
Mugabe spoke as his ruling party was gearing itself for a crucial extra-ordinary congress expected to endorse the veteran ruler as the ruling party’s presidential candidate in the crunch 2008 vote.
Mugabe, who has led the ruling party since 1977, told his deputies that he was not afraid of elections at all, adding he was expecting a thunderous victory, repeating his accusation that his main rival, Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai, was a puppet of former colonial power Britain.
Our win should be thunderous, whether it be in the local government, parliamentary or presidential elections, Mugabe said, waving a half-clenched fist. We should speak one more time, with one more loud and unambiguous voice, that Zimbabwe will never be a colony again. That resounding vote should produce echoes across the seas. Let it be heard at Number 10 Downing Street.
Tsvangirai’s MDC won almost a third of parliamentary seats in legislative elections held in March 2005 despite a violent campaign the opposition party blamed on Zanu (PF), which left scores critically injured.
Tsvangirai denies he is a puppet and says Mugabe
prefers name-calling to avoid focusing on a severe national crisis.
The MDC can never win these elections, never ever, never ever, Mugabe said. Let the British know that.
Mugabe, 83, has held power since the former British colony of Rhodesia gained independence from London in 1980.
He said the unforgettable Million Men and Women March held two weeks ago had rejuvenated his party and put critics of his regime to shame.
Outside our borders our message has been reaching a growing number of countries on the continent and in Europe, Mugabe said.
Critics accuse Mugabe’s militant Zanu (PF) supporters – led by veterans of the independence war – of mounting a campaign of intimidation against voters ahead of the presidential elections.
Tsvangirai says Mugabe is trying to steal victory in the elections by changing electoral laws in his favor, including barring millions of Zimbabweans abroad from voting and demanding multiple proof of residency for urban voters.
The ruling party – which says there is no room for local independent monitors in the coming election – has so far refused demands from opposition in ongoing SADC-brokered inter-party talks to indicate whether international observers will be allowed to witness the vote