London
The British press slammed Prince Charles this week for shaking hands with Zimbabwean dictator Robert Mugabe. A devout Catholic, Mugabe defied a European travel ban to attend the pope’s funeral, and he was seated near the British crown prince. During the “sign of peace,” when worshipers greet one another, Mugabe thrust his hand at Charles, who shook it. The Zimbabwean opposition was appalled. “Mugabe craves respectability,” said spokesman Paul Nyati, “and despite what he says about British imperialism, he craves it most from the British royal family.” Mugabe has been accused of starving his own people, by withholding food shipments to towns that support opposition parties. Aides to Charles said the prince had been taken by surprise.
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