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 HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) - It's an often repeated refrain in President Robert Mugabe's campaign: The opposition is a tool of white imperialists who want to re-colonize Zimbabwe. While they were a visible force in the last two elections, Zimbabwe's increasingly wary white residents have rarely been seen in the run-up to Thursday's parliamentary vote.
Analysts say this was a strategic decision by the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change, which has been hurt by the ruling party's accusations. But the change also reflects growing unease by the tiny white population that remains in the country after an often-violent campaign to redistribute white-owned farms to black Zimbabweans.
"I think they felt that there'd been a backlash because of their participation last time, and that it's more opportune to keep their heads down," said Brian Raftopoulos, a development studies professor at the University of Zimbabwe.
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