Zimbabwe's information minister has dismissed new US sanctions which target him and other members of President Robert Mugabe's ruling party, saying "imperialist" Washington could go to hell, a newspaper said on Thursday.

"These Americans who are pontificating about human rights and democracy would not recognise these things even if they hit them on their faces. So go and tell the imperialist to go to hell," Information Minister Jonathan Moyo was quoted as saying in Thursday's edition of the state-run Herald daily.

Existing sanctions regime widened

The United States on Tuesday said it was widening an existing sanctions regime against Zimbabwe to include seven government-related businesses.

The State Department said the sanctions will apply to commercial farms "seized" by Moyo; Zimbabwe Defence Industries, a state-owned arms maker and M&S Syndicate, a holding group owned by the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (Zanu-PF).

Moyo won't be selling his produce to US

Moyo denied that he owned three farms included among the blacklisted Zimbabwe businesses, insisting he owned just one — but would not be selling his produce to the US.

"I am flattered that these hamburger-eating imperialists are interested in my tomatoes... but I am sending them to Mbare Musika," Moyo said, referring to a popular produce market in the capital Harare.

On Wednesday, US President George W. Bush renewed sanctions he imposed on Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe and other government officials one year ago for allegedly undermining democracy in the southern African country.

Bush said the Zimbabwe government was causing a breakdown of the rule of law, economic instability, and fomenting politically motivated violence.

Australia tightens sanctions

Meanwhile, Canberra on Thursday tightened its sanctions against the Mugabe regime, barring managers of state businesses from visiting Australia.

There was no immediate reaction to the news by the Zimbabwe government.

Last month the EU extended sanctions it had imposed against Zimbabwe to include an arms embargo as well as travel restrictions and a freeze on possible overseas assets of 95 government officials, including Mugabe.

AFP

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