Southern African leaders face tough Zimbabwe issue

LUSAKA, Aug 16 (Reuters) Southern African leaders consider ways to ease Zimbabwe's political and economic crisis at a summit today, a day after the Harare government rejected dialogue with the opposition.

The 14-nation Southern African Development Community (SADC) has been accused of being too soft on defiant Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, and its executive secretary said the grouping had a range of options.

Tomaz Salomao told a news conference yesterday night before the two-day summit in the Zambian capital Lusaka that those options included a ''hard line'', ''quiet diplomacy'' or a ''different'' method.

Zimbabwe's justice minister, Patrick Chinamasa, suggested in a live interview with Zambian state television that quiet diplomacy, spearheaded by South Africa under President Thabo Mbeki, may not pay off.

He said Mugabe's government, accused of widespread human rights abuses, did not see any reason to negotiate with opposition groups and alleged they were carrying out violent attacks on civilians and security forces.

''There can be no justification to make us (engage in) dialogue,'' he said.

''They are only interested in getting into power through unconstitutional means.'' A senior Zambian official said SADC had grown tired of the deepening political and economic crisis in Zimbabwe but he did not have a resolution, saying a progress report by Mbeki on Zimbabwe would determine a course of action.

''We are fed up with the crisis in Zimbabwe and we want it resolved,'' said the official, who asked not to be named.

HARDSHIPS The opposition accuses Mugabe's security forces of abuses, including torture, a position backed by Western powers who have imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe.

Zimbabweans have watched political tensions rise as an economic crisis ravages their country.

The world's highest inflation rate and severe food and fuel shortages are part of daily life. Zimbabweans who can no longer take the hardship have fled to South Africa and other neighbouring countries, pressuring regional economies.

In his press briefing on recommendations that would be given to southern African heads of state, Salomao spoke of the need for SADC countries to stop ''begging'' for food.

Salomao declined to answer questions on what the grouping intends to do about Zimbabwe, saying it would be premature to speak before the summit studies options.

But he did conclude after meeting many Zimbabwean businesses, institutions and public enterprises, that the country's economy was viable despite the strain of sanctions.

Zimbabwe's weak and divided opposition groups, as well as the United States and Britain, hope an economic squeeze will loosen Mugabe's grip after 27 years in power.

Zambia was the first African country to criticise Mugabe openly, saying the country that was once a potent symbol of African liberation was ''a sinking Titanic''. But Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa has since toned down his position.

Reuters SZ VP0420