Washington Hopes To Block Chinese Arms Bound to Zimbabwe

April 21, 2008 11:34 p.m. EST

Washington D.C. (AHN) - U.S. diplomats hope to prevent a Chinese ship loaded with weapons from reaching Zimbabwe for fear President Robert Mugabe will use the arms to clamp down on opposition.

The U.S. State Department's top envoy to Africa, Jendayi Frazer, is visiting Africa this week to put pressure on South Africa, Mozambique, Namibia and Angola to prevent the ship from docking.

Reports says the An Yue Jiang, loaded with large amounts of weapons and ammunition, was prevented from docking at South African and Mozambique. Intelligence agencies tracking the ship say it is enroute to Namibia for refueling before heading to Angola.

Washington is concerned the weapons, which include mortar grenades and bullets, will be used by Mugabe's security forces to expand its clampdown against the opposition which have been protesting the latest election results.

Kurtis Cooper, spokesman for the U.S. State Department, on Monday endorsed the position taken by South Africa's main trade union confederation, which called on workers in other African countries not to allow the Chinese vessel to unload or transport its cargo.

Cooper said the electoral crisis in Zimbabwe is a serious matter and that fears the weapons could be used against opposition party members are valid concerns.