Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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May 19, 2008

Zimbabwe Opposition Says Military Plotting to Kill Tsvangirai 
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1C50442:A6F02AD83191E160908ED989712703C521A4E82C900CD027& 
Movement for Democratic Change says military was planning to use 18 snipers against Morgan Tsvangirai, who delayed his return from abroad because of alleged plot 






Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai addresses Liberal International Congress in Belfast, Northern Ireland, 16 May 2008Zimbabwe's main opposition party has accused the government's military intelligence of plotting to assassinate presidential candidate Morgan Tsvangirai.

The secretary-general of the Movement for Democratic Change, Tendai Biti, told a news conference in Nairobi,  Kenya Monday that the military was planning to use 18 snipers against Mr. Tsvangirai, who has delayed his return from abroad because of the alleged plot.

Biti said the MDC had firm evidence pointing to military intelligence involvement, but he did not present any factual documentation to the media, saying this would put lives at risk.

Zimbabwe's government says that such accusations are baseless, and that Mr. Tsvangirai is trying to score cheap political gains. 

Biti told the French news agency in Nairobi that President Robert Mugabe's military intelligence is targeting the entire MDC leadership.  He is quoted as saying the military has compiled a list of 36 to 40 people to be assassinated, and that Mr. Tsvangirai, party spokesman Nelson Chamisa and himself are at the top of the list.

Mr. Tsvangirai postponed his return to Zimbabwe at the last minute Saturday when the MDC said it received details of the alleged assassination plot.

The MDC vowed in a campaign rally Sunday to "bury" President Robert Mugabe in the June 27 presidential runoff election.  President Mugabe has ruled Zimbabwe for 28 years.



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





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