Airstrip One

Zimwatch: American diplomat was detained - 23rd February 2003, 13.27

This is not the first or the last time but a few more details have emerged.

The US diplomat attended a public meeting held in the up-market suburb of Borrowdale, which the police declared illegal. Under the Public Order and Security Act, a public meeting that is not sanctioned by the police is deemed illegal.

Several local activists, including human rights lawyer Brian Kagoro, and Transparency International chairman John Makumbe were also arrested at Northside Community Hall in Borrowdale.

Bruce Wharton, spokesman for the US embassy in Harare, yesterday declined to disclose the name of the diplomat involved, citing official Unites States policy.

He said this was the third time in the past year that United States diplomats had been detained, robbed, threatened or interfered with while performing official duties.

I wonder if British diplomats have encountered similar difficulties.