Zimbabwe police quiet opposition

HARARE, Zimbabwe -- Zimbabwean police invoked sweeping new security laws Sunday, firing tear gas to disperse several hundred opposition supporters gathering to commemorate the 1976 Soweto uprising in South Africa.\nIn another sign the government's campaign against dissent was heating up, a state run newspaper reported big new fees would be imposed on journalists reporting from Zimbabwe.\nAfter firing tear gas, police charged the crowd with clubs at the gathering Sunday held at a public garden in Harare to commemorate the role youth have played in the fight for democracy in southern Africa.\nOpposition Movement for Democratic Change lawmaker Tendai Biti vowed to keep up the struggle for democracy in this troubled southern African country.\nLast week state run media reported that President Robert Mugabe put security forces on high alert to crush any mass demonstrations that might call for a re-run of presidential elections held in March, in which Mugabe was declared the winner despite the condemnation of observer groups that said the vote was marred by rigging and intimidation.\nForeign governments and human rights groups have voiced concern over a sustained crackdown on dissent that has targeted lawyers, journalists and human rights groups.\nSevere new security and media laws were passed shortly before Mugabe's re-election in what human rights groups say is a bid to silence opposition to his rule.\nThe government run Sunday Mail reported that as part of the new media law, journalists have to pay large fees to be allowed to keep working. Zimbabwean newspapers will have to pay $12,700 for their licenses. Local journalists working for foreign media organizations will have to pay $1,050, foreign news agencies will have to pay $1,200. Those working for foreign media organizations will have to pay in foreign currency.\nAs the Zimbabwean dollar continues to tumble in value, the move appeared to be a quick way for the government to make money.