Mugabe flies into French storm

Mugabe flies into French storm

Peter Tatchell has twice tried to arrest Mugabe

Zimbabwe's President, Robert Mugabe has arrived in Paris despite a ban on him travelling to the European Union.

France was given an exemption from the ban to allow Mr Mugabe to attend a summit of French and African leaders.

In return, Paris gave its backing to the renewal of EU sanctions against Mr Mugabe, his wife and other government officials.

Gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell has asked French prosecutors to issue a warrant for his arrest for alleged human rights abuses.

Mr Tatchell has twice attempted to make a citizen's arrest on Mr Mugabe.

France's stance has provoked the fury of several other European countries, including the UK.

Direct confrontation

The French Government says other African countries had threatened to boycott the meeting unless Mr Mugabe was there.

And it says the summit is a chance to engage in dialogue with the Zimbabwean president over the situation in his country.

Mugabe should not be wined and dined at the Elysee Palace. He should be put on trial for the crime of torture

Peter Tatchell

Mugabe to face court challenge

But the BBC's James Coomarasamy in Paris says many see this as a cynical trade-off at a time when France is trying to increase its sphere of influence in Africa.

Mr Mugabe has met with international condemnation for his land redistribution policy and for last year's elections in which he was accused of using violence and fraud.

Zimbabweans are currently suffering from the famine which has swept much of southern Africa and which some say has been exacerbated by Mr Mugabe's policies.

Summit postponed

British-based gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell led some two dozen protesters outside the French justice ministry, reports the French news agency, AFP.

Mugabe says his problems are caused by a British-led plot

"Mugabe should not be wined and dined at the Elysee Palace (French President Jacques Chirac's official residence). He should be put on trial for the crime of torture," he said.

Another summit, planned for Portugal in April, has been postponed because most European countries had said they would boycott the summit if Mr Mugabe was invited.

African nations had indicated they would stay away unless Zimbabwe was included.