Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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June 22, 2008

Tsvangirai Pulling Out of Zimbabwe Run-Off 
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1CCF263:A6F02AD83191E160E1A871D5527BD82121A4E82C900CD027&
 
Addressing reporters in Harare Sunday, Morgan Tsvangirai said his party
cannot ask supporters to vote when, in his words, that vote would cost
them their lives 
      Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) President Morgan Tsvangirai,
center, speaks to the press, 19 Jun 2008

 Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has pulled out of this
week's run-off poll against President Robert Mugabe, saying violence
against his party makes a fair election impossible.

 Addressing reporters in Harare Sunday, Mr. Tsvangirai said his party
cannot ask supporters to vote when, in his words, that vote would cost
them their lives.

 He said Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leaders have resolved not
to take part in what he called a violent, illegitimate sham of an
election. He also said he would announce his next moves on Wednesday.

 The MDC says more than 70 of its supporters have been killed in
government and ruling party-supported violence since the first round of
voting in March. Mr. Mugabe has denied those claims but has also said he
will not leave office and that a Tsvangirai victory in the run-off would
lead to civil war.

 Zimbabwe's Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa said today that Mr.
Tsvangirai withdrew because he faced certain defeat. Officials are also
suggesting Friday's run-off may go ahead as planned. 

 Mr. Tsvangirai defeated the president in the initial election March 29.
But the official tally showed him falling short of the majority needed
to avoid a second round.

 Western observers and human rights groups say Mr. Mugabe's supporters
have frequently harrassed and attacked the opposition in the weeks
leading up to the run-off. Earlier today, hundreds of ruling party
militants, armed with sticks and clubs, prevented a Tsvangirai rally
from taking place in Harare.

 Mr. Tsvangirai has been detained five times during the campaign, while
MDC Secretary-General Tendai Biti remains in custody facing a treason
charge and other offenses. 

 In his comments today, Mr. Tsvangirai called on the United Nations, the
African Union and African Union to stop what he called a "genocide"
taking place in Zimbabwe. 

 The country is suffering from chronic food shortages and an inflation
rate of more than 160,000 percent. More than three milllion Zimbabweans
have fled to South Africa in recent years to escape the deepening
economic crisis.

 

 Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.

 


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