BBC NEWS | UK | Zimbabwe turns back Britons

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Friday, 16 August, 2002, 18:09 GMT 19:09 UK

Four British citizens have recently been refused entry to Zimbabwe, the Foreign Office has confirmed.

The first two incidents happened on 8 August, followed by another on 11 August and the most recent on 15 August.

All the individuals concerned returned to the UK on the next available flight.

" Zimbabwe immigration decisions are a matter for the Zimbabwe authorities. There is nothing we can do "

Foreign Office spokeswoman

No public reason has been given by the Zimbabwe authorities and a Foreign Office spokeswoman said the refused entries were isolated incidents.

There is heightened nervousness by the Zimbabwe authorities about undeclared journalists seeking to enter the country without permission.

The Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "Zimbabwe immigration decisions are a matter for the Zimbabwe authorities. There is nothing we can do."

UK citizens travelling to Zimbabwe have been advised to check all current entry requirements with the Zimbabwe High Commission.

In a speech on Monday, President Robert Mugabe warned that he might respond in kind towards countries that have imposed targeted sanctions on him.

However, three of four refused entries happened before that speech was made and they were not the first British nationals to be refused entry.

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