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June 6, 2http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/06/world/africa/06zimbabwe.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss008
Diplomats From U.S. and Britain Held in Zimbabwe
By CELIA W. DUGGER and GRAHAM BOWLEY
JOHANNESBURG — A contingent of American and British diplomats investigating the political situation in Zimbabwe were stopped at a roadblock and detained by the police on Thursday, American officials said.

The diplomats were released from custody after five hours, according to the American ambassador to Zimbabwe, William McGee.

During a car chase of over 6 miles, the police tried to force the American diplomats off the road. When they were finally stopped, all four tires of their white S.U.V. were slashed and a local security official was punched.

The diplomats were part of a convoy of three vehicles from the American and British embassies in Harare. They had gone to a town about 55 miles north of the capital, Harare, Thursday morning and were talking to opposition activists and victims of political violence when they were approached by police officers and ordered to a nearby police station, American officials said.

The diplomats refused and, after a phone call to the American embassy back in Harare, set off in their vehicles in different directions. One car, containing American diplomats, took back roads and reached Harare safely. The second American car took the main road back to Harare before it was stopped at the roadblock north of the capital, near Mazoe. The British car was stopped at the same roadblock, the ambassador said.

Mr. McGee, who has been outspoken about state-sponsored violence against the opposition party and who was not part of the convoy, said the detention was a clear attempt by the government to stop outside observers witnessing attacks against the opposition and its supporters.

“The government is trying to intimidate diplomats from traveling to the countryside in order to witness the violence," he said. “The bottom line is this: Zimbabwe is a lawless country. The government of Zimbabwe is not following their own laws nor international law.â€