"Mbeki attacks US over Zimbabwe stance"

A bitter harvest
Europe's bureaucrats have caved in to American pressure over GM, but the decision can be overturned argue Sue Mayer and Robin Grove-White

Mbeki attacks US over Zimbabwe stance
South Africa's president has launched an outspoken attack on US efforts to exert pressure on Zimbabwe and asserted that his country can assist its neighbour to hold free elections next month. In an interview with the Financial Times, Thabo Mbeki said Condoleezza Rice, US secretary of state, had discredited Washington's proclaimed policy to promote freedom by placing Zimbabwe on a list of six "outposts of tyranny" last month, alongside Myanmar, Cuba, Belarus, North Korea and Iran.

Africa wants seats on UN body
Foreign ministers from 15 African countries have agreed to press demands for Africa to be granted two veto-wielding permanent seats at the UN security council, ambassadors said on Tuesday.

Can Kofi Annan & UN survive?
When Annan was elected on January 1, 1997 as the seventh secretary-general of the UN, his agenda was all-encompassing: to infuse fresh strength and vitality to the organisation through a series of reforms; to effectively continue the organisation's work in the areas of development and to maintain international peace and security; to advocate human rights, equality, tolerance and human dignity and to restore public confidence in the organisation by reaching out to the people. But somewhere along the way, things took an ugly turn: his lofty aims backfired and his popularity waned. Worse, he fell out with America over Iraq.

Mbeki criticises US over Zimbabwe
South African President Thabo Mbeki has said the US was wrong to describe Zimbabwe as an "outpost of tyranny".

South Africa completes negotiations antiretroviral procurement
On February 18, South African Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang announced that her department has completed negotiations with drug companies to supply antiretroviral drugs to state hospitals. The tenders are to be awarded "shortly."

Religious leaders baulk at promoting condoms
Religious leaders on Monday told Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang they could not promote the use of condoms.

Thatcher quizzed about coup plot
Sir Mark Thatcher has appeared in court in South Africa to answer questions over his role in an alleged coup plot in Equatorial Guinea in West Africa. The son of the UK's ex-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher has admitted breaking South African anti-mercenary laws by agreeing to finance a helicopter.

Can Mark Thatcher get a US visa?
Having escaped jail and possible extradition to Equatorial Guinea on charges relating to the recent coup attempt, Sir Mark Thatcher faces a new challenge - entering the US. Whoever assesses his visa application will have to consider the four-year suspended prison sentence imposed on Sir Mark under South African anti-mercenary laws.