US protests to Zimbabwe over treatment of US envoy and other diplomats in Harare

WASHINGTON: The United States has protested to the Zimbabwean government over harassment of the American ambassador and other diplomats in Harare, State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey said Wednesday.

The U.S. envoy and other diplomats were detained for an hour Tuesday at a police roadblock after they visited a hospital to check on victims of political violence that broke out after last month's presidential elections.

"Certainly, it is inappropriate behavior and we wanted to make sure that the government was aware of our concerns about this issue," Casey said.

He also said the United States and others, including representatives of the Southern Africa Development Council who are in Zimbabwe, do not "think conditions are right now to have a safe and fair run-off" election for president.

Casey said if a run-off is to be held, the international community should push the Zimbabwean government to make sure conditions are in place for a fair vote, including independent supervision of the Zimbabwean electoral commission and the presence of SADC observers throughout the country so violence can be deterred.

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