Zimbabwe opposition offices raided

[Attero Dominatus]

By ANGUS SHAW, Associated Press Writer 16 minutes ago

HARARE, Zimbabwe - President Robert Mugabe's government raided the offices of the main opposition movement and rounded up foreign journalists Thursday in an ominous indication that he may use intimidation and violence to keep his grip on power.

Police raided a hotel used by the opposition Movement for Democratic Change and ransacked some of the rooms. Riot police also surrounded another hotel housing foreign journalists and took away several of them, according to a man who answered the phone there.

"Mugabe has started a crackdown," Movement for Democratic Change secretary-general Tendai Biti told The Associated Press. "It is quite clear he has unleashed a war."

The New York Times said that its correspondent Barry Bearak was taken into custody by police.

"We do not know where he is being held, or what, if any, charges have been made against him," said Bill Keller, executive editor of the Times. "We are making every effort to ascertain his status, to assure that he is safe and being well treated, and to secure his prompt release."

Biti said the raid at the Meikles Hotel targeted "certain people ... including myself." Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai was "safe" but had canceled plans for a news conference, Biti said.

He said that Thursday's clampdown was a sign of worse to follow but that the opposition would not go into hiding.

"You can't hide away from fascism. Zimbabwe is a small country. So we are not going into hiding. We are just going to have to be extra cautious," he said.

While the election commission has issued results for the parliamentary races held Saturday alongside the presidential race, it has yet to release any presidential count. A presidential candidate needs at least 50 percent plus one vote to avoid a runoff, which would have to be held within 21 days of the first round.

The opposition says that Tsvangirai won the presidential race outright, but says it is would take part in a runoff.

Mugabe's Deputy Information Minister Bright Matonga said Thursday that Mugabe was ready for a runoff, dashing hopes that he would bow quietly off the national stage he has dominated for 28 years.

More: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080403/ap_on_re_af/zimbabwe_elections