The Zimbabwean government Wednesday summoned United States Ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGee and warned him over his involvement in the country's domestic affairs.
Foreign Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi confirmed this at a press briefing in Harare, The Herald reported Saturday.
"The U.S. Ambassador to Zimbabwe, James McGee, was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on May 14, 2008." Ambassador McGeewas dressed down on the following sequence of events which constituted violations of Diplomatic Protocols and Procedures," he said.
Mumbengegwi said McGee wrote a letter to the press on May 12, making unsubstantiated allegations clearly in support of MDC-T.
"This was clear interference in Zimbabwe's domestic affairs and in violation of the protocols governing diplomatic relations between states." Mumbengegwi said on May 13, McGee traveled beyond 40 km from Harare without making prior arrangements with his ministry.
McGee's actions violated Zimbabwe's rules and regulations which require that diplomats travelling beyond a 40-km radius should make prior arrangements with the ministry.
"The ambassador made politically charged and inflammatory remarks when he visited the Avenues Clinic on May 9, 2008. This again constituted interference in Zimbabwe's internal affairs," added Mumbengegwi.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs brought to the attention of Ambassador McGee that he had not only failed to respect the laws and regulations of Zimbabwe, but had also blatantly interfered in the internal affairs of Zimbabwe."
