U.S. to beef up penalties for Zimbabwe election violence

Sanctions would target individuals "responsible for the recent violence" 150 opposition supporters killed, thousands injured, tens of thousands homeless Move to pressure President Mugabe; critics call his win a sham China, Russia vetoed U.N. resolution for sanctions on Mugabe, officials JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AP) -- The United States is in the process of strengthening sanctions against individual Zimbabweans blamed for deadly electoral violence, the U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe said Friday. Spokesman Mark Weinberg said that "proposed new sanctions are under review by the White House and the State Department" targeting "individuals we hold responsible for subverting the will of the people of Zimbabwe, people associated with the regime and those responsible for the recent violence and political problems." The sanctions would... [read full story]