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Zimbabwe Army Said to Plot Killing of Opposition Chief

Snipers would have gunned down MDC leader Tsvangirai on return

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted May 19, 2008 1:50 PM CDT

(Newser) – Zimbabwe’s military has a plan to assassinate opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, according to Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic Change. An MDC official said today that the armed forces been ruling Zimbabwe since the March 29 election, and would have had snipers gun down Tsvangirai had he returned to the country Friday as planned, the Times of London reports.

Tsvangirai will still return to contest the June 27 run-off election, the executive promised, once security was sufficient to protect him. But he cast doubt the contest would solve anything. “The basic problem is that we have an old man, a geriatric, who is not prepared to give up power, and that situation isn’t going to change,” he said of president Robert Mugabe.

Tendai Biti Secretary, General  of Zimbabwe Movement for Democratic Change party speaks, during a press briefing in Nairobi Kenya, Monday, May 19, 2008.
Tendai Biti Secretary, General of Zimbabwe Movement for Democratic Change party speaks, during a press briefing in Nairobi Kenya, Monday, May 19, 2008.   (AP Photo/Khalil Senosi)
Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, right, speaks at the Liberal International Congress in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Friday May 16, 2008.
Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, right, speaks at the Liberal International Congress in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Friday May 16, 2008.   (AP Photo)
Tendai Biti Secretary, General  of Zimbabwe Movement for Democratic Change party speaks, during a press briefing in Nairobi, Kenya, Monday, May 19, 2008.
Tendai Biti Secretary, General of Zimbabwe Movement for Democratic Change party speaks, during a press briefing in Nairobi, Kenya, Monday, May 19, 2008.   (AP Photo/Khalil Senosi)
Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, right, speaks at the Liberal International Congress in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Friday May 16, 2008.
Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, right, speaks at the Liberal International Congress in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Friday May 16, 2008.   (AP Photo)
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