US Congressman Donald Payne denied request to meet with Mugabe on Zimbabwe trip

Mugabe snubs US Congressman Donald Payne

HARARE, Zimbabwe — The U.S. Embassy says Congressman Donald M. Payne is ending a two-day trip to Zimbabwe without the audience he sought with President Robert Mugabe.

Payne expressed disappointment Friday at what appeared to be a snub. He is a member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and he is chairman of its Africa subcommittee.

Payne met with civic leaders and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, the former opposition head, on a trip to assess the fragile year-old coalition with Mugabe.

U.S.-Zimbabwe relations have been strained over Western criticism of Mugabe and human rights violations in the southern African nation.

Zimbabwe also announced Friday that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will be Mugabe’s guest of honor at a trade fair later this month.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — The U.S. Embassy says Congressman Donald M. Payne is ending a two-day trip to Zimbabwe without the audience he sought with President Robert Mugabe.

Payne expressed disappointment Friday at what appeared to be a snub. He is a member of the congressional committee on foreign affairs and heads its African subcommittee.

Payne met with civic leaders and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, the former opposition head, on a trip to assess the fragile year-old coalition with Mugabe.

U.S.-Zimbabwe relations have been strained over Western criticism of Mugabe and human rights violations in the southern African nation.

Zimbabwe also announced Friday that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will be Mugabe’s guest of honor at a trade fair later this month.

(This version CORRECTS that Payne is member of House Committee on Foreign Affairs and chairman of Africa subcommittee)