6A
NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
》 PROTEST
ASSOCIATED PRESS
The leader of Zimbabwe's main opposition party, Morgan Tsangirai, is watched by a police man outside the court in Harare, Zimbabwe. Tuesday, Tsangirai, and other activists were taken to hospital after their court appearance two days after being arrested for attending a prayer meeting.
Police face activists in Zimbabwe
ASSOCIATED PRESS
HARARE, Zimbabwe — Morgan Tsvangirai, Zimbabwe main opposition leader, his right eye swollen shut and his head partly shaved to reveal crudelystitched gashes, left a courtroom Tuesday and was treated at a hospital for injuries that his lawyer sad were the result of savage police beatings.
Tsangirai and other bruised and bloodied activists who were arrested at a prayer meeting Sunday were ferried under police guard by ambulance and bus to a private hospital for observation.
Initial medical reports indicated nearly all of the 50 detained activists, including Tsangirai, sustained severe bruising and internal injuries reportedly at the hands of police.
Late Tuesday, all but 12 of the activists were taken back to court from the hospital. Beatrice Mtetwa, a lawyer for the group, said they were moved at police orders and that no
"It is a unilateral appearance called by the police," Mettawa said. She said Tsvangirata was among the dozen still at the hospital.
state prosecutor or magistrate was at the court.
Tsivangri, 54, and the other opposition figures were arrested in the latest crackdown on dissent by President Robert Mugabe's security forces and political supporters.
Lawyer Beatrice Mtetaw said police forced Isvangirai and many of her other clients to lay face down and then beat them savagely and repeatedly with truncheons both at the scene of the arrests and at police stations.
After their brief court appearance, she said the state intended to charge the activists with incitement to violence for holding the prayer meeting that authorities had declared illegal. Formal bail has not been granted to any of them.
As the bruised and bandaged activists shuffled into court, many
sang and chanted in defiance of the heavy police presence. Tsvangirai, the leader of the Movement for Democratic Change, stood but did not chant or sing.
British Ambassador Andrew Pockock, who was in court, said the right side of Tsvangira's face was swollen, including his eyes. "It was damn barbaric," the envoy told reporters.
A crowd outside sang and waved the party's open-hand salute as Tsvangirai and about six other injured activists left. Tsvangirai, his soiled shirt almost completely unbuttoned, appeared disoriented as he walked slowly and boarded an emergency vehicle unaided. He was not among those who returned the salute.
One activist was taken from court on a stretcher, two stumbled on crutches, and a young woman unable to walk was helped into an ambulance by paramedics.
"The world community again
has been shown that the regime of Robert Mugabe is ruthless and repressive and creates only suffering for the people of Zimbabwe," said Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. She called for the "immediate and unconditional release" of the activists.
Arthur Mutambara, leader of a breakaway faction of Tsangtriai's party, also had head wounds, and Lovemore Madhuku, head of a militant reform group, suffered a broken arm.
Police used tear gas, water cannon and live ammunition to crush Sunday's gathering by the Save Zimbabwe Campaign, a coalition of opposition, church and civic groups. in Harare's western township of Highfield.
U. S. Ambassador Christopher Dell told the British Broadcasting Corp. that Washington holds Mugabe and his government personally accountable for the safety of the detained activists.
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PRESIDENT BUSH
Latin American tour has focus on local food
MERIDA, Mexico — Is anyone feeding the president?
At every stop on his seven-day,
five-country Latin American trip,
including here on Tuesday, President
Bush has been fixated on food.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
It began with Bush's first event in the first country, when he and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva celebrated a new ethanol alliance.
"I appreciate the fact that youre about to buy me lamb." Bush told Silva. "I'm kind of hungry. Looking forward to eating some of that good Brazilian food."
In Uruguay, at a news conference with President Tabare Vazquez, Bush said he couldn't wait to dig into some Uruguayan beef — something the tiny nation wants to sell more of to the United States.
Next came Guatemala, where Bush hauled some lettuce onto a truck — something he later called "one of the great experiences of my presidency"
"You've told me all along how good it is, and after we answer a few questions, were about to find out." Bush told his host, later praising the country's abundant blueberries.
"I'm looking forward to the dinner that you're hosting for Laura and me"; Bush told Gunemalan President Oscar Berger in another news conference. "I'm not going to talk too long because I might get too hungry."
In Colombia, part of Bush's agenda included time with locals growing crops as alternatives to the illegal coca from which cocaine is made. The vendors' stalls were filled with honey, chocolate and coffee.
Pablo Martinez/ASSOCIATED PRESS
President George W. Bush tours the Quadrangle of the Nuns of the Uxmal ruins with Mexican President Felipe Calderon in Uxmal, Mexico, on Tuesday. Uxmal is dominated by the Pyramid of the Magician, which stands 117 feet high. Uxmal was once home to 250,000 Mavens.
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