US prodding UN Security Council to punish Mugabe

Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai is seen, at a news conference in Harare Wednesday July 2, 2008. Tsvangirayi has rejected an African Union decision to keep South Africa's president Thabo Mbeki in charge of efforts to resolve Zimbabwe's political crisis. (AP Photo) By DONNA BRYSON Associated Press Writer JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AP) - The U.S. pressed fellow U.N. Security Council members Wednesday to impose sanctions to push for change in Zimbabwe, where leaders cannot agree whether to even talk about how to resolve their crisis amid fears of worsening political violence. A draft resolution Washington wants the council to consider proposes freezing the financial assets of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and 11 of his officials and banning them from traveling outside the country. The text, obtained by The... [read full story]