Mugabe says he is open to more dialogue

Mugabe, meanwhile said he was open to more dialogue with Britain. In remarks after meeting Mbeki on Friday, he said although talks with Britain the week before had failed to yield positive results, they opened the way for further talks and the normalisation of strained relations between the two countries.

“The fact that the meeting took place was a positive development in itself,” he said in remarks carried by state television. “The meeting also opened the avenue for future discussions.”

He said British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook had nevertheless used the meeting for “propaganda purposes”. He said the veterans and their supporters would only end the land occupations once 841 white-owned farms originally sought for acquisition three years ago were made available.

“The situation continues to be of farm occupations until a more positive offer of land is made. Only then will the war veterans move away,” Mugabe said.