Mugabe won't 'lose sleep' over lost UK degree

HARARE, June 8 (Reuters) Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe will not lose sleep over a British university's decision to strip him of an honorary degree, a senior government official said today.

Edinburgh University announced on Wednesday it would withdraw the degree, awarded in 1984 for Mugabe's services to education, citing human rights violations by his government.

Deputy Information Minister Bright Matonga said the decision was politically motivated and meant to embarrass Mugabe, criticised by Western governments for a political crackdown and economic problems in his country.

''The president will not lose any sleep over this,'' Matonga said yesterday.

''He has acquired no less than seven degrees on his own. He's a well-read president, better than their (Tony) Blair and (George W.) Bush.

''They can keep their degrees and we'll keep our Zimbabwe. Even the so-called knighthood he does not need.'' Mugabe led the former British colony to independence in 1980 and has remained in office ever since. He was made an honorary Knight Commander of Britain's Order of the Bath in 1994.

Matonga accused the Scottish university of hypocrisy.

''If they are basing this decision on humanitarian grounds, they should look at their history during slavery.

''They should also look at their prime minister...600,000 people have died in Iraq as a consequence of his actions in aiding and abetting Bush's war,'' Matonga said.

Presidential spokesman George Charamba told state media in April that British and US universities considering petitions to withdraw honorary degrees awarded to Mugabe had benefited from being associated with him.

''Honorary degrees are exactly that, an unsolicited honour from the giver. The president did not accost anyone to confer the honour,'' Charamba said.

REUTERS JK PM0428