( L - R ) Baugh, Mugabe

Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Ken Baugh has expressed concern over the delay in the release of the results of the March 29 presidential elections in Zimbabwe. He said Jamaica was "further disturbed" at talk of a run-off election even before the release of the earlier results. "This, we believe, com-promises the transparency and credibility of the electoral process," Baugh said in a press statement on the weekend.

Urged to commit

Baugh continued: "Ja-maica calls on the govern-ment of Zimbabwe to demonstrate its commit-ment to democratic princi-ples and to allow the will of the Zimbabwean people, as expressed in the elections of March 29, to be recognised and made known. We urge all parties to engage in a process of national reconciliation aimed at achieving lasting peace and harmony, and fostering economic growth and development in Zimbabwe."

Saddened by delay

He noted that Jamaica was at the forefront of the international campaign against apartheid, injustice and oppression in southern Africa, which eventually led to, among other things, Zimbabwe's independence in 1980, the celebration of which included participation of our own cultural icon, the late Robert 'Bob' Nesta Marley, as a special guest.

Baugh said Jamaica recognised the important role played by President Robert Mugabe in the struggle for freedom and democracy in Zimbabwe. "And, therefore, we are profoundly saddened at the seeming failure to consolidate democracy in Zimbabwe."

He commended the "resilience and fortitude"of the people of Zimbabwe.