US Senate approves Zimbabwe bill

The US Senate has passed a bill directing President George W. Bush's administration to support the people of Zimbabwe in their struggle to bring about democratic change and to restore rule of law in the country, AFP reported on Thursday. The Zimbabwe Democracy and Recovery Act would double funding for democracy programmes in the southern African nation and urges US support of observers to the upcoming parliamentary and 2002 presidential elections. The bill, which was passed late on Wednesday, also asked the president to consult other nations on ways to implement visa restrictions and other targeted sanctions against those responsible for political violence in Zimbabwe, the report said. Once the president and congress certify that democracy and the rule of law had been restored, the bill would support programmes to strengthen democracy and promote economic recovery, according to a statement released on Thursday by the bill's sponsor, Tennessee Republican Bill Frist. "President (Robert) Mugabe's totalitarian regime has been a disservice to the people of Zimbabwe," the senator was quoted saying. "His continued support for the invasions of farms and businesses are nothing but a cover for his assault on democracy and the rule of law, and his mismanagement of the economy."