(3 Jun 2008)

1. Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe approaching podium for address
2. Cutaway of official
3. Mugabe shakes hands with official
4. Wide as Mugabe starts speaking
5. Close of flags, pan to Mugabe speaking
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwean President:
++Starts on shot 5, partly overlaid by other cutaways of delegates++
"My country's primary agriculture policy objective remains that of ensuring national and household food security through our own production. In this regard Zimbabwe has recognised the importance and centrality of land in agricultural production and food security. Thus, over the past decade Zimbabwe has democratised the land ownership patterns in the country with over three-hundred-thousand previously landless families now proud land owners."
7. Tilt up of delegate reading notes
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwean President:
++Partly overlaid by cutaways of delegates++
"While this land reform programme has been warmly welcomed by the vast majority of our people, it has however, and regrettably so, elicited wrath from our former colonial masters. In retaliation for the measures we took to empower the black majority, the United Kingdom has mobilised her friends and allies in Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand to impose illegal economic sanctions against Zimbabwe."
9. Pan from delegates to side shot of Mugabe speaking
10. SOUNDBITE (English) Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwean President:
++Partly overlaid by wide of hall++
"I wish to re-state that this summit needs to formulate robust action plans that recognise the need for fair trade policies in order to contribute towards the growth potential of the agricultural sector in the (the) developing world. In addition, we need to underline the importance of giving our people better access to their natural resources, especially land, so that they are able to help in addressing the question of global food security."
11. Wide of Mugabe at podium UPSOUND Applause
12. Mugabe walking back to seat

STORYLINE:

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe on Tuesday defended his policy of seizing land from white farmers in a speech at a United Nations summit on the global food crisis, saying he is undoing a legacy left by Zimbabwe's former colonial "masters".

Mugabe's presence at the summit sparked protests from some world leaders because he has presided over the collapse of a onetime African bread basket into a nation where millions go hungry.

He said: "My country's primary agriculture policy objective remains that of ensuring national and household food security through our own production."

The African leader blamed international sanctions for many of Zimbabwe's woes and said his own policies had been "warmly welcomed" by his people.

"Over the past decade Zimbabwe has democratised the land ownership patterns in the country with over three-hundred-thousand previously landless families now proud land owners," Mugabe said.

He said the land had previously been owned by some 4-thousand farmers, mainly British.

"While this land reform programme has been warmly welcomed by the vast majority of our people, it has however, and regrettably so, elicited wrath from our former colonial masters," Mugabe said.

"In retaliation for the measures we took to empower the black majority, the United Kingdom has mobilised her friends and allies in Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand to impose illegal economic sanctions against Zimbabwe," said the long-time African leader.

Mugabe said the sanctions aimed to cripple his country's economy and thereby effect illegal regime change.

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