Noting peaceful Zimbabwe poll, Annan calls for constructive dialogue by all parties

Though noting the peaceful parliamentary voting last Thursday in Zimbabwe, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today voiced concern that the balloting did not allay the opposition's sense "conditions were unfair."

Through his spokesman, Mr. Annan expressed concern "that the electoral process has not countered the sense of disadvantage felt by opposition political parties who consider the conditions were unfair," and he called on all sides to engage in constructive dialogue in the period ahead.

He also called on the Government to take the "responsibility now to build a climate of confidence that will be essential for national unity and economic recovery in Zimbabwe."