China deal 'too small' for Mugabe

[Eugene]

Last Updated: Monday, 1 August 2005, 13:25 GMT 14:25 UK

China deal 'too small' for Mugabe

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe did not obtain the financial relief
he had hoped for during his recent visit to China, South African
newspapers report.

Mr Mugabe went to China last week hoping for help repaying a $300m
debt to the IMF, but Beijing granted him only $6m for grain imports,
they say.

Observers say Zimbabwe will again be looking to South Africa for help.

South Africa is expected to make any assistance to Zimbabwe conditional
on improvements in human rights.

Zimbabwe faces expulsion from the IMF if it cannot repay its debt.

More: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4734777.stm