Zim blocks US trade unionists from entering the country

The government claimed that the visit was "unacceptable" even though the delegation had the proper visas and had arranged to meet with government officials and with nongovernmental organizations, Casey said.

"The Zimbabwe Government's decision comes after the brutal suppression of a planned peaceful demonstration by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions," he said. "This is yet another example of the Zimbabwean government's failure to allow freedom of expression and ideas."

President John Sweeney of the AFL-CIO, the nation's largest labor confederation, expressed deep concern over the Zimbawean action.

He said the delegation had hoped to meet with injured leaders of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions after the attack on them and their Sept. 13 arrests.

The five-member delegation, led by AFL-CIO Vice President William Lucy, flew to South Africa after Zimbabwe blocked their entry.

"We denounce the Zimbabwe government's attempt to prevent international labor officials from seeing and understanding the challenges facing workers and unions in their country," Sweeney said.

WASHINGTON The State Department condemned on Friday the decision of Zimbabwe's government to deny entry to a delegation from the U.S. Coalition of Black Trade Unionists.

Spokesman Tom Casey said the unionists were denied admission just before they were to have left for the southern Africa nation.

The government claimed that the visit was "unacceptable" even though the delegation had the proper visas and had arranged to meet with government officials and with nongovernmental organizations, Casey said.

"The Zimbabwe Government's decision comes after the brutal suppression of a planned peaceful demonstration by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions," he said. "This is yet another example of the Zimbabwean government's failure to allow freedom of expression and ideas."

President John Sweeney of the AFL-CIO, the nation's largest labor confederation, expressed deep concern over the Zimbawean action./