Move to track Mugabe's millions

Britain and the US have begun preparations to track down millions of dollars believed to be held in secret bank accounts by Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe.

The identification of the funds taken out of the African state is essential if the US and EU decide to impose personal sanctions on Mr Mugabe and his ministers. Freezing the accounts might be the best means of taking effective action against him as the situation grows more violent in Zimbabwe where any dissent is being curbed.

The Foreign Office would not confirm today that preparations were being made over the bank accounts, but a spokesman said: "We are obviously working with our international partners to apply pressure to the government of Zimbabwe."

Mr Mugabe has so far shrugged off criticism of his land reforms and his human rights record, despite the threat from Britain and other countries that Zimbabwe could be suspended from the Commonwealth. It is suspected that hundreds of millions of dollars have been taken out of Zimbabwe by Mr Mugabe, leaving the country with an impoverished health and education system.

Another possible move against him could be a decision by the EU and President Bush to refuse him and his circle visas, so that they could not escape to western countries. Deportations of asylum-seekers to Zimbabwe have been halted temporarily while the Home Office reviews the situation.