    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book I)]
    [June 28, 2008]
    [Page 891]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Situation in Zimbabwe
    June 28, 2008

        On Friday, the Mugabe regime held a sham
    election that ignored the will of the people of Zimbabwe. The
    international community has condemned the Mugabe regime's ruthless
    campaign of politically motivated violence and intimidation with a
    strong and unified voice that makes clear that yesterday's election was
    in no way free and fair. Any legitimate Government of Zimbabwe must
    represent the interests of all its citizens and the outcome of the March
    29 elections.
        Given the Mugabe regime's blatant
    disregard for the Zimbabwean people's democratic will and human rights,
    I am instructing the Secretaries of State
    and Treasury to develop sanctions
    against this illegitimate Government of Zimbabwe and those who support
    it. We will press for strong action by the United Nations, including an
    arms embargo on Zimbabwe and travel ban on regime officials. We will
    continue to work closely with the African Union, Southern African
    Development Community, and other world leaders to resolve this crisis.
        The United States stands ready to support a legitimate government
    through a robust package of development assistance, debt relief, and
    normalization with international financial institutions. In the
    meantime, we will continue to support the people of Zimbabwe by
    providing food assistance to more than 1 million people and AIDS
    treatment to more than 40,000 people.

    Note: The statement referred to President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe.