HARARE, Jan. 22 (Xinhuanet) -- Zimbabwe on Saturday dismissed allegations by US Secretary of State designate Condoleezza Rice made against the country, which depicted it as an "outpost of tyranny."

    Rice branded Zimbabwe as an "outpost of tyranny," together withseveral other countries, during her inauguration in Washington last Thursday.

    Rebuking the comment, Zimbabwean Foreign Affairs Minister Stan Mudenge said in a statement Rice should have seized that opportunity to inform the anti-Zimbabwe lobbyists on the recent political developments in the country.

    "She had the chance," Mudenge said, "of acknowledging that the government is sending out positive signals to the people through adecrease of cases of open violence against political opponents."

    "Zimbabwe is the second longest multi-party democratic state inAfrica and Rice is free to visit to acquaint herself with the political situation on the ground," said Mudenge.

    Western countries, angered by Zimbabwe's land reform, have imposed sanctions against the southern African country. The country has had strained relations with the west ever since.

    "Rice had a golden opportunity... not repeat the same allegations being made on Zimbabwe," said Mudenge. Enditem