Bush, Compaore discuss Mugabe, Darfur

WASHINGTON, July 16 (UPI) -- U.S. President George W. Bush said Wednesday he is disappointed that Russia and China vetoed a U.N. arms embargo against Zimbabwe.

The United States strongly supported the U.N. Security Council resolution to sanction Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe following his re-election last month after his opponent exited the race amid fears for his life.

"We deeply care about the plight of the citizens of Zimbabwe. And we hope there's a peaceful resolution soon," Bush said after meeting with Burkinabe President Blaise Compaore. "I made my position abundantly clear that, one, we are disappointed with the veto of the U.N. Security Council resolution."

Bush called Compaore "a constructive force for peace and stability."

Compaore said he and Bush also talked about the need for a political solution to the crisis in Darfur, which he said is "weighing very heavily in all Africa."

Burkina Faso has qualified for a five-year, $480-million grant from the U.S. Millennium Challenge Corp. to help farmers by investing in irrigation, expanding access to land titles and credit, among other things.