MS. PERINO: Well, I think that we already think that it's an illegitimate government. We think that the MDC group won on March 29th, won that election; however, agreed to a runoff election, as consistent with the Zimbabwe constitution. I think anybody looking at this, given what the Mugabe regime has said, that they were not going to allow for a free and fair election.

And so what happened yesterday was the international community, through the U.N. Security Council, spoke with one unified voice to say that the problems that this regime has created can be solely laid at their feet. And it was important that that be a presidential statement, the President's statement out of the U.N. Security Council, because it has to be unanimous. Remember, South Africa is a part of that 15.

I know that later this week, I think this weekend, the African Union, which is currently chaired by President Kikwete in Tanzania, will be hosting a meeting to talk about various issues, but Zimbabwe is going to be at the top of that list. And the President praises the fact that many African leaders have come out stronger in speaking out against the Mugabe regime, and trying to push that -- put that pressure on the Mugabe regime so that they would change their tactics. But we are obviously very concerned about the violence that has taken place, and we remain concerned for the safety of anybody of Mr. Tsvangirai's party.

seen at 09:00, 24 June in Whitehouse Press Briefings. Email this to a friend.
Next item; Original source; Previous item;