Fed: Howard says he's untroubled by Zimbabwe threats

AAP General News (Australia)
12-11-2003
Fed: Howard says he's untroubled by Zimbabwe threats

Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD says he's not troubled by Zimbabwe's threat to cut diplomatic
ties with Australia and by accusations that he's a dictator.

Zimbabwe's main state newspaper has urged President ROBERT MUGABE to sever diplomatic
ties with Australia and Britain after the troubled southern African country pulled out
of the Commonwealth.

The Herald, a government mouthpiece, blames the white Commonwealth for the group's
decision on Sunday to extend Zimbabwe's 18-month suspension from the bloc.

Mr MUGABE responded by quitting the Commonwealth.

Mr HOWARD says he's not bothered by the threat if it's related to Australia's stance
at the Commonwealth conference.

He says he's also untroubled by Zimbabwean High Commissioner FLORENCE CHITAURO's accusations
that he's a dictator.

AAP RTV sm/sw/dl/rt

KEYWORD: ZIMBABWE HOWARD (CANBERRA)

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