HARARE, Feb. 18 (Xinhuanet) -- President Robert Mugabe has lashed the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) for bringing suffering to Zimbabweans by calling on the European Union led by Britain to impose sanctions on the southern African country in a bid to take over power.

    Addressing the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-PatrioticFront (ZANU-PF) supporters on Thursday in Bulawayo, about 500 km in southwestern of Harare, President Mugabe warned the electorate to be wary of the MDC which only remembers them at the election time.

    The president said only ZANU-PF could fulfill the wishes of themajority as the party which led them to independence.

    The government has come up with policies to improve education, health, roads and agriculture, he said.

    With the nomination court sitting on Friday, Mugabe said the MDC would be among parties campaigning for votes in the run-up to the elections.

    But the president told the people that when the MDC comes to them canvassing for votes, they should remind the party of its links with (British prime minister) Tony Blair, who admitted in the House of Commons that his government was working with the MDC to effect a regime change in Zimbabwe.

    Mugabe said the MDC was the only opposition in Africa which sought foreign assistance to remove an elected government.

    "In other countries there are opposition parties - in Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Ghana. Have you heard the opposition going to Europe asking for assistance to remove a government or the imposition of sanctions? Zimbabwe is the only country with people like that," he said.

    Mugabe said the MDC wanted to bring back British colonizers whocrafted laws to suppress the black majority and sent many to prison, detention camps and restricted areas.

    "Now they want to sell the country for the British to come and rule us. Invite them, but they will find out that we are prepared to defend our country with our blood. We are ready. No country wants to lose its independence no matter how small it is. That's why we are always criticizing Blair and the MDC. This is an anti-Blair election," he said.

    President Mugabe said Zimbabwe could not afford to let the heritage which many of its sons and daughters fought for to slip away.

    He reiterated that there should be no violence during the election period.

    "We want your vote. No fighting. Your vote is your only weapon.We ask the MDC not to do what they did last time, kidnapping our people and killing them in the bush," said the president.

    "We want peace and not violence. Violence from any quarter mustbe condemned," added Mugabe. Enditem