    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book I)]
    [June 2, 2008]
    [Page 747]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Situation in Zimbabwe
    June 2, 2008

        The continued use of Government-sponsored violence in Zimbabwe,
    including unwarranted arrests and intimidation of opposition figures, to
    prevent the Movement for Democratic Change from campaigning freely ahead
    of the June 27 Presidential runoff election is deplorable. We call on
    the regime to immediately halt all attacks and to permit freedom of
    assembly, freedom of speech, and access to the media. We urge the
    Southern African Development Community, the African Union, the United
    Nations, and other international organizations to blanket the country
    with election and human rights monitors immediately.
        We also are concerned by reports that misguided Government policies
    are projected to result in one of the worst crop harvests in Zimbabwean
    history. While Robert Mugabe makes political
    statements in Rome, his people continue to face empty markets at home.
    The United States currently feeds more than 1 million Zimbabweans and
    spent more than $170 million on food assistance in Zimbabwe last year.
    We will continue these efforts to prevent Government-induced starvation
    in Zimbabwe.

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