Mugabe addresses rally plus Tsvangirai reax

(2 Apr 2005) SHOTLIST 1. Exterior Government House 2. Mid shot stuffed lion 3. Wide of press 4. President of Zimbabwe Robert Mugabe arriving 5. Mid shot press 6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwean President: "For my party and for me personally, this is a moment of great joy, it's a moment of celebrating the victory of my party. And the victory of my party translates itself naturally as it yields later a government, into a victory for our country." 7. Close up press 8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwean President: "Sure, we will remain ready to interact with the MDC, with any members of our community who want to discuss outside parliament." 9. Wide of news conference 10. SOUNDBITE: (English) Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwean President: "We needed a two-thirds majority long ago and we realised that the MDC would not cooperate with us in ensuring that we had that majority which we needed to effect some amendments to the constitution and some of the amendments as I said earlier, were precisely those in the constitutional document, the new constitution which we had worked together with the MDC, but which the MDC would not support one clause which had to do with land and they were afraid to offend their European supporters." 11. MDC headquarters 12. MDC banner 13. Establisher MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai 14. SOUNDBITE: (English) Morgan Tsvangirai, MDC leader: "A new Zimbabwe remains our vision despite the obstacles and setbacks that Mugabe is trying to place in our way. We are determined to continue on this path. We are determined to achieve change in this country and nothing, including Mugabe's antics, is going to stop us from achieving a new Zimbabwe." 15. Mid shot press 16. SOUNDBITE: (English) Morgan Tsvangirai, MDC leader: "The voters role was also used in a big way. That voters role is also a point of dispute. Militias and soldiers were relocated in targeted constituencies." 17. News conference finishes STORYLINE President Robert Mugabe's ruling party has won a two-thirds majority in parliamentary elections, clearing the way for him to change Zimbabwe's constitution and tighten his grip on power despite the opposition's refusal to accept the result and widespread accusations that the vote was flawed. "This is a moment of great joy, it's a moment of celebrating the victory of my party. And the victory of my party translates itself naturally as it yields later a government, into a victory for our country," declared a jubilant Mugabe as the final votes were being counted on Saturday. According to interim results, the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) won 74 seats, compared to 40 for the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). One seat went to an independent candidate, and five were still to be determined. Under Zimbabwean law, 120 lawmakers are elected and Mugabe has the power to appoint an additional 30 himself in the 150-seat chamber. Mugabe has long aimed for a two-thirds majority to enable him to amend the constitution without having to seek approval in a referendum - he lost a referendum in 2000. He hopes to set up a Senate representing traditional chiefs, retired politicians and other eminent Zimbabweans. But critics charge the 81-year-old autocrat wants to pack the chamber with cronies to maintain his influence as he heads toward retirement. He also wants to be able to pick a successor without having to hold interim elections. At his news conference, Mugabe was in a magnanimous mood toward the opposition. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...