Zimbabwe's main state controlled newspaper today urged President Robert Mugabe to sever diplomatic ties with Britain and Australia after the troubled southern African country pulled out of the Commonwealth.
The Herald, a government mouthpiece, blamed the "white Commonwealth" for the decision by the 54 nation grouping of Britain and its former colonies to extend Zimbabwe's 18 month suspension from the bloc. Mr Mugabe responded by quitting the Commonwealth.
In a front-page editorial, The Herald called British concerns over the independence of the judiciary, press freedom, human rights and democracy in Zimbabwe "a smoke screen to maintain the colonial grip on Zimbabwe."
"The time has now come for Zimbabwe to fully engage Britain head-on by cutting all diplomatic ties with the former colonial master and its sidekick, Australia," the paper said.
British officials in Harare declined to comment on the editorial.
Hours after the Commonwealth extended Zimbabwe's suspension, Mugabe flew to a UN technology summit in Switzerland. He declined to speak to reporters when he arrived in Geneva with his wife today.
AP