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U.K. Commonwealth leaders headed into a racially-charged row over the exclusion of Zimbabwe from the 54-member group as they gathered in the Nigerian capital for a summit starting Friday.

Despite attempts by host President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria to prevent a split in the club of mostly former British colonies, key leaders stuck to entrenched positions over the southern African country.

A guard patrols the entrance of the International Conference Center on Dec. 4, 2003, in Abuja, Nigeria, site of a four-day summit of Commonwealth leaders.  [Reuters]

Zimbabwe was suspended last year on charges that President Robert Mugabe had rigged his re-election in 2002.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair, aboard his plane to Abuja, said maintaining the suspension would "send the right message of strong disapproval for what is happening in Zimbabwe."

His position was echoed by Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien, who said it would be unacceptable to lift the punishment if Zimbabwe made no progress in answering Commonwealth demands for political dialogue and basic freedoms.

At the same time, a small but powerful group of southern African states rejected Zimbabwe's exclusion and asked that it be allowed back immediately.

"We do not believe that the continued isolation of Zimbabwe is delivering the desired result. In our opinion they should return to the fold," Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano told reporters on his arrival in Abuja.

SURPRISE CHALLENGE

The deep division between African and Western states produced a surprise challenge last week to Don McKinnon as Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.

Analysts said the Sri Lankan challenger, backed by South Africa, showed no signs of wide support, but illustrated the bad blood in the organization.

"President Obasanjo had hoped to de-Zimbabweize the summit but he failed. The Zimbabwe issue will dominate," said Alex Vines, head of the Africa program at London's Royal Institute of International Affairs.

Once southern Africa's breadbasket, Zimbabwe now relies on aid to feed millions, unemployment is running at more than 70 percent and inflation is above 500 percent.

Political opponents of Mugabe, who has held power since independence from Britain in 1980, are regularly harassed and there are strict curbs on press freedom.

Mugabe earlier this week accused Britain, Australia and New Zealand of forging an "unholy alliance" against him and threatened to withdraw from the Commonwealth.

Vines said it was simplistic to describe the division in the group as black versus white, "but Mr. Mugabe was very good at making British criticism look like the bullying of an old colonial power."

Many African states also support Zimbabwe's suspension, but are less vocal than the big Western powers in condemning Mugabe.

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