WASHINGTON, DC - Sen. John Kerry today released the following statement on reports that Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to begin power-sharing negotiations:

"With an agreement to begin negotiations, the challenge now is to reach a political solution that reflects the will of Zimbabwe's people. We need to push Mugabe to match words with action by first ending the political violence and releasing imprisoned MDC supporters. SADC and the AU must work constructively with the UN and play a much more active role in pressuring Mugabe to negotiate a meaningful transition to democracy. If Mugabe does not soon agree to form a new government that reflects the will of the people, South Africa, Russia, and China need to turn up the heat by joining other countries at the UN in imposing an arms embargo and by imposing tough travel and financial restrictions on Mugabe's cronies."

On April 30, 2008, the Senate passed Sen. Kerry's resolution urging Robert Mugabe to accept the results of Zimbabwe's elections and step down as President. The resolution was co-sponsored by Sens. Kerry, Coleman, Isakson, Obama, Feingold, Durbin, Dodd, Clinton, Biden, Lieberman, Leahy and Cardin.

On May 23, 2008, Kerry sent letters to President Mwanawasa, Southern African Development Community (SADC) Chairman, and Secretary Condoleezza Rice to push for strong security measures to protect Tsvangirai and others in the run-off election. The Senator asked for action by SADC and continued vigorous diplomatic outreach from the Secretary to help bring about free and fair elections in the country.

On June 4, 2008, the Senator also wrote to United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon to express outrage at the detainment of Tsvangirai and ask that the UN apply meaningful pressure to Mugabe to ensure the security of Zimbabwe's run-off election.

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