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Mugabe Heads to Asia for Medical Treatment

   VOA News  March 03, 2011
   Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe (file photo)

Photo: AP

   Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe (file photo)

   Officials  say  Zimbabwe  President  Robert  Mugabe is heading back to
   Singapore Thursday for medical treatment.
   They did not disclose what treatment the 87-year-old is receiving.
   Mugabe  was  in  Singapore  last  month  for  a  check on his cataract
   following surgery last year.
   On  Wednesday,   he  threatened to seize foreign-owned businesses, in
   retaliation  for  Western  sanctions  imposed on him and his political
   allies.
   Speaking  at  a  rally  in  the  capital,  Harare, Mugabe made special
   mention of British-controlled banks and companies.  He said there are
   more  than  400  British  firms  in  Zimbabwe,  and  singled  out  two
   British-run banks, Barclays and Standard Chartered.
   Mugabe  said  now  is the time to take action against such companies.Â
   He also called for a boycott of foreign products.
   Western countries accuse Mugabe of driving Zimbabwe to ruin with years
   of  political  repression  and  economic mismanagement, especially the
   seizure of white-owned commercial farms.
   President   Mugabe   quipped  that  Western  sanctions  have  crippled
   Zimbabwe's economy.

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