Mugabe blasts Western critics, vows no surrender

HARARE, Mar 30 (Reuters) Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe has blasted Western critics of his controversial policies and rights record, and vowed he will never retreat or surrender to a ''neo-colonialist'' onslaught.

Mugabe, 82 and at the helm in Zimbabwe since its independence from Britain in 1980, has been at odds with the West, which has led charges of misrule against him.

He is accused of plunging the southern African country into political and economic turmoil by seizing white-owned farms and destroying the key agricultural sector, rigging elections and waging a violent campaign against the opposition.

Speaking at a dinner he hosted for Equatorial Guinea's visiting President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, Mugabe said his government had been targeted by Western powers, particularly Britain and the United States, for empowering Zimbabwe's black majority and for resolutely defending its political rights.

''We stand by our principles and shall never retreat, capitulate or shirk our responsibility,'' he said to applause at the dinner attended by hundreds of Zimbabwean officials and some foreign diplomats late yesterday.

''Those opposed to our principles have enlisted the services of like-minded countries and their leaders, and deceitfully and dishonestly used the media ... vilifying us as undemocratic because we have dared to put the interests of the poor and down-trodden first,'' he added.

Mugabe accused the United States and Britain of invading Iraq over false charges, and of pursuing a neo-colonialist strategy over Zimbabwe.

''BORN-AGAIN DEMOCRATS'' ''The born-again democrats in London and Washington would like to hoodwink the world on the situation in Zimbabwe in the very same manner they have done on Iraq,'' he charged.

Mugabe called on developing countries to defend their independence, and said Zimbabwe would discuss political, trade and business deals with Equatorial Guinea during Obiang's visit.

Equatorial Guinea, sub-Saharan Africa's third largest oil producer, is a welcome friend for Zimbabwe as it struggles with economic meltdown and isolation by Western countries.

One of Mugabe's senior officials yesterday said Zimbabwe hoped to strike an oil supply deal with Equatorial Guinea to help ease its chronic fuel shortages.

Obiang said he was in Zimbabwe to consolidate ties forged two years ago after Harare helped break up an alleged international coup plot against his government.

Mugabe and Obiang share the distinction of being labelled by Western critics as two of Africa's most repressive leaders.

Without giving details, Obiang, who praised Mugabe as an illustrious and courageous leader, said his country was ready to bolster links with Zimbabwe.

''I can assure you that you can always count on the support of the government and people of Equatorial Guinea to do their best,'' he said.

Today, Obiang, who later left Harare for a day trip to the resort town of Victoria Falls met Zimbabwean business and industry executives and urged them to explore trade and investment opportunities with his country.

REUTERS SB RAI2128