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Statement by the President on Sanctions Against Illegitimate Government of
Zimbabwe
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For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary July 25, 2008

Statement by the President on Sanctions Against Illegitimate Government of
Zimbabwe

ÿÿWhite House News


Today I have signed a new Executive Order that expands our sanctions
against the illegitimate Government of Zimbabwe. The new Executive Order
significantly enhances our ability to designate individuals in and entities
connected to the Mugabe regime. Under the new Executive Order, the Treasury
Department will today designate several of these government-controlled
entities.

This action is a direct result of the Mugabe regime's continued
politically-motivated violence, disregarding calls from the Southern
African Development Community, the African Union, and the United Nations to
halt the attacks. The regime has also continued its ban against NGO
activities that would provide assistance to the suffering and vulnerable
people of Zimbabwe. No regime should ignore the will of its own people and
calls from the international community without consequences.

Should ongoing talks in South Africa between Mugabe's regime and the
Movement of Democratic Change result in a new government that reflects the
will of the Zimbabwean people, the United States stands ready to provide a
substantial assistance package, development aid, and normalization with
international financial institutions.

In the meantime, I am reaffirming my commitment to support the suffering
people of Zimbabwe, authorizing the use of up to $2.5 million from the U.S.
Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund to assist Zimbabwean
refugees and asylum seekers who have been displaced due to the ongoing
violence in their country. We will also continue our efforts to provide
food and health assistance as part of our commitment to help the people of
Zimbabwe in their time of greatest need.

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