Botswana Refuses To Recognize Mugabe

Botswana has reaffirmed that it does not recognize Robert Mugabe as the leader of Zimbabwe and will not attend any African Union (AU) or SADC meetings if he is invited. Botswana’s Foreign Minister, Phandu Skelemani, told parliament in Gaborone that Mugabe was not democratically elected, adding that Botswana would only recognize a transitional government formed from ongoing talks between Mugabe and Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai. Analysts believe Botswana is keen on to avoid a possible influx of Zimbabwean refugees should the negotiations fail to resolve the country's political and economic crises. [PE]