At least 131 journalists from the United States and Europe have applied to cover the country's forthcoming presidential poll set for March 9 and 10.

Amnesty International has expressed concern that the pull-out of European Union (EU) observers will result in an escalation of human rights violations in Zimbabwe. "The decision to withdraw EU observers will give the green light for further serious human rights violations in Zimbabwe," the rights organisation said.

Opponents of the Zimbabwean government are being abducted to "torture centres" across the country that serve as bases for ruling party militia, Zimbabwean human rights groups allege.

If the majority view of all election observer missions in Zimbabwe does not find the March 9 presidential poll free and fair, then SA will not be able to recognise the election result, says Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad.

It is a sad fact that every democratic-minded and peace loving Zimbabwean believes our Sadc brothers and sisters have let us down when it mattered most. While the rest of the international community, particularly the European Union and the United States, is taking steps to ensure that Zimbabwe conducts its presidential election in a democratic fashion, Sadc has decided to look the other way and let Zimbabweans bear the brunt of both state orchestrated violence and a flawed electoral process.

Violent attacks by supporters of President Robert Mugabe on Sunday after an election rally addressed by Movement for Democratic Change leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, in Chinhoyi, north of Harare, have been condemned by the Commonwealth Observer Group.

President Mugabe is said to be planning secretly his escape route out of Zimbabwe after his private polling predicted he could be defeated in next month's elections. The ailing 78-year-old has been sounding out some of his African neighbours and his dwindling number of friends abroad about providing him with a safe haven.

Zimbabwe's main opposition leader is being questioned by police over an alleged plot to assassinate President Robert Mugabe. Morgan Tsvangirai, who denies the allegations based on a mysterious videotape broadcast on Australian television, entered central Harare police station at lunchtime with a bodyguard and a lawyer. It comes amid reports that Mr Mugabe has agreed to flee Zimbabwe if he loses the election.

The MDC has said the government was planning to reduce polling stations in the opposition party's strongholds during next month's presidential election, while increasing the numbers in areas where the ruling Zanu PF enjoyed support. Many Zimbabweans, the opposition said, will be disenfranchised by the Registrar-General's decision on the number of polling stations.

Addressing about 15 000 supporters at Murombedzi growth point in Zvimba, a few kilometres from his rural home of Kutama, Mugabe said he intended to de-register the ZCTU because it had abandoned its role of working for the welfare of Zimbabwean workers and was now openly supporting the MDC.

Zimbabwe would not allow journalists working for the Independent Newspapers group to cover the presidential election in that country, a Zimbabwean government official said on Thursday.

President Robert Mugabe might not concede defeat to opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai if he loses next month’s election and has already expressed such feelings to leaders of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), it emerged this week.

The Zimbabwe chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA-Zimbabwe) has established that the Zimbabwe government is selectively accrediting international journalists to cover the March Presidential elections, despite undertakings made to the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group, the Southern African Development Community and in the Abuja Accord.

We write to you seeking your assistance and inviting you to work with our forum founded to avert the humanitarian crisis ensuing in Zimbabwe.I write on behalf of our organisation of activists concerned with attaining democracy,observation of fundamental human rights,peace building ,conflict resoluton and crisis impact mitigation named, International Forum of Friends for Zimbabwe Country Crisis Relief Centre,a humanitarian initiative to find allies around the world to partner with us in fighting for a country governed by humane,democratic,justiciable values and principles.The sad story of Zimbabwe today is one of state sponsored and politically motivated racism and violence in the form of mass beatings,abductions,rape,murders,media repression,loss of basic liberties etc.People in Zimbabwe live in fear.Some schools have closed,lots of people's have lost belongings as homes are set ablaze.The situation of children is most distressing as some are left opharns without anyone to take care of them.Starvation is looming and there is a widespread shortage of all basic commodities.The Unted States recently passed an act called Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act to arrest the growing human rights violation state sanctioned trends in this country and to restore economic order.However the govenment is not responding in any wa to try and restore law /order or economicaly sound principles in managing public funds.We need you to help us stand up to the injustices being pepetrated on innocent civilians and bring to Zimbabwe an era and culture of democratic practice and respect for human rights and thewelfare of fellow contrymen and women.

This situation can be averted with the help of fellow brothes and sisters and concerned humanitarians all over the World.We are requesting you to consider working with us to implement alternatives towards the attainment of social justice and fair treatment of all persons in this country.In working with us as friend of Zimbabweans you will be called upon where your abilities permit to,(1)assist locate persons of like mind who share the vision of this organisation wherevere they maybe and whatever their age or other personal attributes.(2)help campaign and network including suggesting and developing strategic programs within the mission of this organisation.(3)help mobilise material and financial resources needed in the administration and execution of projects.(4) To visit ,attend progress meetings and public seminars whenever possible and to deliver speeches ,share experiences and meet Zimbabwean activists as well as assessing developments.We very much need your support which ever way you can assist. We shall need your views and guidance on many issues.

We hope you will find it a worthwhile cause to assist millions of Zimbabweans whose security,welfare and future lies in the balance.We shall be happy to hear from you.We have submitted below some details about our organisation.

We look forward to hear from you.

* Courage Shumba, Executive Director

Zimbabwe is one of 11 African countries with substantial Internet usage, although limited telecommunications infrastructure hampers the penetration of information technology in the country, according to a report by the United Nations [source: allafrica via The Big Change].

The Fifth Congress of the Federation of African Immunological Socie-
ties (FAIS) with be hosted by the Zimbabwe Immunological Society at the Zimbabwean holiday resort of Victoria Falls.

The short list of Africa's 100 Best Books of the 20th Century has been finalised by the project jury. With 505 titles, the list is considered a comprehensive documentation of the most significant literary contributions by Africans made during the 20th Century.

Zimbabwe's controversial "fast track" land reform programme is the cause of much of the economic, political and social instability in the country, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) said in a new report released on Wednesday.

Journalism standards appear to be the latest victim of Zimbabwe's hotly contested presidential election, according to an independent media watchdog.

It's too late for free and fair presidential elections in Zimbabwe, but the deployment of international observers in remote areas could help stop politically motivated violence and torture, the human rights group Amani Trust told IRIN on Monday.