The leader of Zimbabwe's main opposition group said today he would contest a presidential run-off against veteran President Robert Mugabe even if only regional observers could be present.
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai had previously called for unfettered access for international observers, which the government rejected. The MDC accuses Mugabe of trying to intimidate voters and rig the poll.
"At the moment the obligation is on [regional group] SADC. I am sure that they will fulfil their obligations, especially to send SADC peacekeepers and observers," Mr Tsvangirai told Reuters in a telephone interview. "For us that is sufficient."
After weeks of equivocation, Mr Tsvangirai said at the weekend he would participate in the run-off to the disputed March 29th polls, but only if international monitors would be present. He also called on the Southern African Development Community to send peacekeepers to instil public confidence in the vote.
The MDC leader travelled to Angola on Saturday to ask President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, who heads SADC's security committee, to push for the peacekeepers. The regional grouping has not said whether it would agree to the request.
Zimbabwe's government rejected any pre-conditions for the run-off, but allowed SADC to monitor the election's first round.
The top US diplomat on Africa on Monday pressed Zimbabwe to allow in large numbers of Western election monitors for the second round.
Asked how long he was willing to wait for a run-off, after electoral authorities said there would likely be a delay, Mr Tsvangirai said any timeframe would have to be "reasonable". By law, the second round should be held within 21 days of the result, announced on May 2nd, but the period can be extended.
Zimbabwe says Western election observers are not welcome, particularly from nations such as the United States that have imposed sanctions against Harare.