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Tsvangirai Agrees to Zimbabwe Runoff

Opposition leader won't 'betray' supporters

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted May 10, 2008 7:18 AM CDT

(Newser) – Zimbabwe’s opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has decided to take part in a runoff presidential vote, the BBC reports, despite fears that violence and voter intimidation will skew results. The candidate has called a runoff unnecessary, insisting he received over half the original vote, but today he said his supporters would feel “betrayed” if he did not run in a second round. Official results gave him 47.9% of the vote to President Robert Mugabe’s 43.2%.

“I am ready, and the people are ready, for the final round,” Tsvangirai said from South Africa, calling for “unfettered access of all international observers.” He said he would return to Zimbabwe within 2 days.

Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai, looks on at a news conference in Pretoria, South Africa, Saturday, May 10, 2008.
Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai, looks on at a news conference in Pretoria, South Africa, Saturday, May 10, 2008.   (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)
An unidentified man reads the Zimbabwean State owned daily newspaper, The Herald, in Harare, Zimbabwe Saturday, May, 3, 2008.
An unidentified man reads the Zimbabwean State owned daily newspaper, The Herald, in Harare, Zimbabwe Saturday, May, 3, 2008.   (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)
Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirayi at a news conference in Pretoria, South Africa, Saturday, May 10, 2008. Zimbabwe's top opposition leader said Saturday he will contest a presidential runoff and will soon return to his homeland. Morgan Tsvangirai, addressing reporters in South Africa, said his...
Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirayi at a news conference in Pretoria, South Africa, Saturday, May 10, 2008. Zimbabwe's top opposition leader said Saturday...   (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)
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