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PM urges Zimbabwe cholera action PM urges Zimbabwe cholera action
(about 6 hours later)
Gordon Brown has urged the world to tell Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe "enough is enough" amid growing concern over the country's cholera outbreak.Gordon Brown has urged the world to tell Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe "enough is enough" amid growing concern over the country's cholera outbreak.
The prime minister said the crisis, which has claimed nearly 600 lives, had become an international emergency.The prime minister said the crisis, which has claimed nearly 600 lives, had become an international emergency.
Government in Zimbabwe was now broken and the state was unable or unwilling to protect its people, he said.Government in Zimbabwe was now broken and the state was unable or unwilling to protect its people, he said.
Mr Brown added that medicine would get to those who needed it, regardless of any differences with Mr Mugabe.Mr Brown added that medicine would get to those who needed it, regardless of any differences with Mr Mugabe.
'Human rights''Human rights'
Mr Brown did not explicitly call for Mr Mugabe to step down, but said world leaders should stand together to defend human rights and democracy in Zimbabwe. See detailed map of cholera affected areasMr Brown did not explicitly call for Mr Mugabe to step down, but said world leaders should stand together to defend human rights and democracy in Zimbabwe. See detailed map of cholera affected areas
In a statement, Mr Brown said that over the coming days the first priority would be delivering aid to Zimbabwe, such as rehydration and testing packs.In a statement, Mr Brown said that over the coming days the first priority would be delivering aid to Zimbabwe, such as rehydration and testing packs.
Gordon Brown: 'Perhaps 30,000 are infected.... The states around Zimbabwe are getting increasingly angry'Gordon Brown: 'Perhaps 30,000 are infected.... The states around Zimbabwe are getting increasingly angry'
He said: "This is now an international rather than a national emergency. International because disease crosses borders.He said: "This is now an international rather than a national emergency. International because disease crosses borders.
"International because the systems of government in Zimbabwe are now broken. There is no state capable or willing of protecting its people."International because the systems of government in Zimbabwe are now broken. There is no state capable or willing of protecting its people.
"International because - not least in the week of the 60th anniversary of the universal declaration of human rights - we must stand together to defend human rights and democracy, to say firmly to Mugabe that enough is enough.""International because - not least in the week of the 60th anniversary of the universal declaration of human rights - we must stand together to defend human rights and democracy, to say firmly to Mugabe that enough is enough."
Mr Brown said he had "been in close contact with African leaders to press for stronger action to give the Zimbabwean people the government they deserve".Mr Brown said he had "been in close contact with African leaders to press for stronger action to give the Zimbabwean people the government they deserve".
He added: "The people of Zimbabwe voted for a better future. It is our duty to support that aspiration."He added: "The people of Zimbabwe voted for a better future. It is our duty to support that aspiration."
He also said he hoped the United Nations Security Council would meet "urgently" to consider the country's plight.He also said he hoped the United Nations Security Council would meet "urgently" to consider the country's plight.
'Inexcusable'
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said it was time for the UN to support the "justified" use of military force as a means for the international community to protect Zimbabweans.
"The world has sat idly by whilst Robert Mugabe has brutalised his own people for too long.
"Economic recession in the West has led the world to avert its gaze from the suffering in Zimbabwe.
"The UN must urgently declare that Mugabe will be indicted in the International Criminal Court."
He said it would be "inexcusable" if no further action was taken soon.
Tutu: 'He's destroyed a wonderful country'
He called on China to stop blocking international action through its veto on the Security Council, and South Africa to take a "tougher" stance with its neighbour.
Labour MEP Glenys Kinnock told BBC Radio 4's PM programme sanctions could have a limited impact but the threat of cholera might inspire other African leaders to act.
She said a great deal of diplomacy was taking place but she did not know how much effect this would have.
"I think efforts are being made to talk with those who are likely to influence Mugabe.
"But the reality is that he is impossible to influence.
"He is so manipulative and so devious that influencing him is very difficult indeed," she said.
'Gross violations''Gross violations'
Mr Brown has joined a growing list of international leaders in condemning Mr Mugabe. They have joined a growing list of international leaders in condemning Mr Mugabe.
US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, said it was "well past time" for him to leave office.US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, said it was "well past time" for him to leave office.
And the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, said African nations should come together to use military force if Mr Mugabe refused to go.And the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, said African nations should come together to use military force if Mr Mugabe refused to go.
Tutu: 'He's destroyed a wonderful country'
Archbishop Tutu said Mr Mugabe had committed "gross violations" against Zimbabwe's people and ruined "a wonderful country".Archbishop Tutu said Mr Mugabe had committed "gross violations" against Zimbabwe's people and ruined "a wonderful country".
His comments came a day after Kenya's Prime Minister Raila Odinga said African governments should oust Zimbabwe's leader.His comments came a day after Kenya's Prime Minister Raila Odinga said African governments should oust Zimbabwe's leader.
UK International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander told BBC Two's Newsnight that he welcomed the archbishop's comments, but dealing with the humanitarian crisis was of paramount importance.
"I think the first responsibility is to provide humanitarian assistance. The second responsibility is to work with regional partners to affect the change that we want," he said.
He said there was not currently a consensus on the UN Security Council over Zimbabwe, even for further targeted sanctions, but said "the new noises that are emerging from Africa this week" were welcomed by the UK.
Mr Alexander added: "I think there is the potential for Africa to take a decisive stand against Mugabe in the days to come."
Mr Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai agreed to share power in September to tackle the country's economic meltdown but they have been unable to agree on the allocation of cabinet posts.Mr Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai agreed to share power in September to tackle the country's economic meltdown but they have been unable to agree on the allocation of cabinet posts.
The deadlocked agreement followed disputed elections, which both men claimed to have won.The deadlocked agreement followed disputed elections, which both men claimed to have won.
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