Mugabe: 'I am not retiring yet'
Posted: Wednesday, January 15, 2003

By Innocent Gore who was in Lusaka, Zambia

President Mugabe yesterday said it would be foolhardy, counter-revolutionary and disrespectful of the people who re-elected him last March if he were to step down before the expiry of his term.

He said this in the wake of British media reports that some Zanu-PF and MDC officials were working out a plan for him to step down before the expiry of his term, to pave the way for a government of national unity.

Cde Mugabe told reporters on arrival at Lusaka International Airport in Zambia that he would never surrender to British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair.

"Well, I am not used to answering questions about nightmares that are dreamt in Britain at Number 10 Downing Street and I only heard about that in the papers. There is no truth in it at all," he said in response to a question by a Zambian journalist who had asked him to comment on the issue.

"Only a few months ago, the people elected me to serve them and it will be foolhardy and absolutely counter-revolutionary. In fact, it is disrespectful of the support that the people gave, the loyalty the people reposed in me if today I am seen to be surrendering to Mr Blair. Never ever, never!"

The President was in Zambia to witness the conferment of the Honour of the Eagle of Zambia to that country’s founding president Dr Kenneth Kaunda in recognition of his service to Zambia and the liberation of Southern Africa, including Zimbabwe. MORE... 

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