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Bush orders new sanctions against Zimbabwe

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-07-26 10:06

WASHINGTON -- The United States imposed on Friday new sanctions against Zimbabwe's government for alleged "politically-motivated violence."

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"Today I have signed a new Executive Order that expands our sanctions against the illegitimate Government of Zimbabwe," U.S. President George W. Bush said in a statement.

The latest U.S. sanctions will not permit individuals closely linked to Zimbabwe's government headed by President Robert Mugabe to operate in U.S. financial markets.

"This action is a direct result of the Mugabe regime's continued politically-motivated violence, disregarding calls from the Southern African Development Community, the African Union, and the United Nations to halt the attacks," he said.

The U.S. Treasury Department said the sanctions would be imposed on 17 companies or entities and an Omani national for their links to Mugabe's government.

Under U.S. law, any financial assets found in the United States belonging to those designated must be frozen. Americans are forbidden from doing business with them.

It was noticed that the Bush administration beefed up its sanctions against Harare when Mugabe and Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai signed Monday a deal, paving the way for formal talks to end political crisis in the country.

Mugabe was declared the winner of the June 27 presidential run-off by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, a result rejected by Tsvangirai, who received a leading number of votes in the first round of polls but failed to obtain an absolute majority.

Tsvangirai boycotted the run-off, citing various causes, including political violence.