Bush tells Mugabe to end violence

WASHINGTON, May 8 (UPI) -- The will of Zimbabwean voters must be respected and violence in that country must end, a spokesman for U.S. President George Bush said Thursday.

"This violence and intimidation needs to stop," White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said during a press briefing.

"(Zimbabwean President Robert) Mugabe and his supporters need to refrain from this sort of activity against those who are supporting the opposition," he said.

The Zimbabwe Election Commission said a runoff election must occur between Mugabe and Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai, although a date hasn't been set. The commission said said Tsvangirai received more votes than Mugabe but didn't reach the 50-percent threshold needed to be declared the outright winner.

Reports of violence and intimidation since have been reported.

"The people of Zimbabwe some time ago voted for change. The will of the people of Zimbabwe should be respected," Johndroe said.

The Bush administration, he said, urges leaders in the region "to play a constructive role so that the people of Zimbabwe can get their country back on not only the path to democracy but back on a sustainable economic future so they can support themselves."