Zimbabwe desmente intervenção em Moçambique

ZIMBABWE National Army Commander Lieutenant General Philip Sibanda has said Zimbabwe has not deployed troops in Mozambique and is not preparing to venture into that country. Lt Gen Sibanda was speaking at Prince Edward High School during the commemoration of the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict yesterday. "We are not preparing to go to Mozambique and not at any time have we been instructed to go there," he said. "We are not happy about the situation in Mozambique, but at no time has anyone been instructed to prepare for war in Mozambique unlike what some reports have said. That is not true and I do not see us going to Mozambique in the near future." The Mozambique National Resistance Army (Renamo) which had been lying dormant since 1992 has rekindled its rebellion by attacking police and civilians. Despite reports that an estimated 58 people might have been already killed in the uprising, the rebel movement continues to spurn talks with the Frelimo government. Commenting on the impact that the war would have on the environment, Lt Gen Sibanda said Zimbabwe would not be responsible for any damage that might be made to the environment because of the situation in Mozambique. "If something happens, it will be among the Mozambicans themselves and we really cannot play a part in preserving that environment," he said. "It is their environment and they have to preserve it themselves. As Zimbabweans we cannot do anything to preserve that environment, it is their war and not ours." Sadc has since condemned Renamo's actions calling on the rebel group to stop its actions. At the height of the insurgency in 1990, some 1,7 million Mozambicans sought refuge in neighbouring countries with an estimated 150 000 coming into Zimbabwe. Meanwhile, Major General Martin Chedondo has said that the army will continue to monitor and safeguard the country's borders and its key points against "retrogressive surrogates and puppets such as Dhlakama and Morgan Tsvangirai". The Herald, Harare