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Zimbabwe Reports Seizing Plane With 64 Suspected Mercenaries
By SHARON LaFRANIERE

Published: March 9, 2004
OHANNESBURG, March 8 — Zimbabwean authorities said Monday that they had impounded a United States-registered cargo plane after its owners lied about the existence of 64 suspected mercenaries and military equipment on board.
The Boeing 727-100 cargo plane was seized Sunday night at the international airport in Harare, Zimbabwe's capital, Home Affairs Minister Kembo Mohadi told reporters.
Spokesmen for the State Department and Pentagon said they had no indication that the plane was connected to the United States government.
The incident occurred less than a week after the United States tightened economic sanctions against Zimbabwe's government, saying it was undermining the rule of law and fostering political violence. American officials threatened further strictures if Zimbabwe's leaders continued to balk at efforts to resolve the country's deepening political crisis.
In the past four years, President Robert G. Mugabe has stifled the press and political opposition, and pursued a land reform program that has been blamed for severe food shortages. Repeated attempts by South Africa's president, Thabo Mbeki, to mediate political talks with opposition leaders have failed.
Last Thursday, The Herald, a state-owned daily newspaper, quoted Information Minister Jonathan Moyo as saying: "These Americans who are pontificating about human rights and democracy would not recognize these things even if they hit them on their faces. So go tell the imperialist to go to hell."
Mr. Moyo accused both the United States and Britain, Zimbabwe's former colonial ruler, of harboring thieves and fugitives who had smuggled currency and precious goods out of the country. Britain has also imposed sanctions against Zimbabwe, as have Australia and the European Union.
The plane seized Sunday landed at the Harare airport for refueling about 5 p.m., according to civil aviation officials. They said the aircraft appeared to be privately owned and under charter. Crew members said only three people were on board, the officials said.
Mr. Mohadi said, "The plane was actually carrying 64 suspected mercenaries of various nationalities." He said an investigation was under way to determine their identities and destination.
Video footage on state-run television Monday showed backpacks, an inflatable raft and paddles in the interior of the plane, but no weapons. State television also reported that the passengers and crew members, all of them men and most of them white, were taken to a nearby military base.

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