BRUSSELS/LONDON: The European Union has urged Zimbabwe to curb political violence and ensure that free and fair elections were held. But it was told defiantly that President Robert Mugabe was the target of a British-led conspiracy, and a London-based newspaper was singled out for outspoken criticism.

New restrictions on local and international media, draconian police powers and curtailed voting rights prompted wide international condemnation. But the foreign minister, Stan Mudenge, said he was merely holding a “dialogue” with the EU, and he brushed aside talk of sanctions.

Mudenge, alternating between talking tough and sounding placatory about the need for land reform, attacked Britain for leading a campaign against its former colony. He accused it of exercising “hypnotic powers” over its EU partners, diplomats said.

The day-long meeting in Brussels was held under the EU’s trade and aid pact with African, Caribbean and Pacific states, which allows for consultation before punitive steps are taken. If no progress is made during a 60-day consultation period, the EU could suspend 113 million dollars of development aid for 2002-2007.

Diplomats say, however, that “smart sanctions”, such as a visa ban or asset freeze for Zimbabwean leaders, are needed in order not to harm the ordinary people of one of Africa’s poorest countries.

The EU was represented in the talks by the Spanish ambassador, Javier Conde de Saro, whose country holds the union’s rotating presidency. Mudenge was accompanied by the information minister, Jonathan Moyo, architect of a new bill which critics say will stifle the media and opposition in the run up to the March presidential election.

Conde urged Zimbabwe to end violence and the government’s tolerance of it, organize free and fair elections, ensure freedom of the press and independence of the judiciary and end the illegal occupation of white farms.

Brussels has signalled that sanctions could be imposed if abuses continue, but officials hold out little hope of a retreat by Mugabe.

Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change urged a tough line. “T”The EU must clearly spell out to the Zimbabwean delegation that a government that emerges from a rigged election will receive no international recognition,” he said.

As the crisis intensified, Moyo attacked the Guardian’s correspondent in Harare, Andrew Meldrum, describing him as a “liar and saboteur” who threatened the country’s security. He denied that the tactics used to ensure passage of the new bills were illegal.

The minister said that people such as Meldrum and the shadow justice minister, David Coltart, a member of the MDC who was quoted in the Guardian, “are not just liars but are also saboteurs who pose a clear and present danger to the security and stability of our republic”.

The Guardian and other papers are to challenge the proposed media law in the courts. —Dawn/The Guardian News Service.