CRS-19 to steal the election,” saying, “My preferred option would be that the will of the people be accepted. That Mr. Mugabe does the honorable thing and steps down.”85 The Bush Administration has been highly critical of the government’s role in the current wave of violence. A State Department spokesman recently urged Mugabe to “call off his dogs,”86 and U.S. Ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGee has publicly condemned what he refers to as a “systematic campaign of violence designed to block this vote for change...orchestrated at the highest levels of the ruling party.”87 American diplomats and officials from other foreign embassies report that they have repeatedly been harassed by elements of the Mugabe regime, in violation of the Vienna Convention. On May 13, Zimbabwean police tried to interfere with a multi-country diplomatic convoy outside Harare.88 The convoy had been visiting hospitals and an alleged interrogation center, and during the encounter a policeman reportedly threatened to beat a U.S. embassy official. Ambassador McGee described seeing evidence of violence of a “massive” scope, including proof that civilians had been interrogated at “torture camp” the convoy visited.89 He was later reportedly summoned by Zimbabwe’s Foreign Minister for allegedly violating diplomatic protocol and was warned not to interfere in internal affairs. On June 5, 2008, 5 American embassy staff and 2 local embassy workers were detailed by police; one of the local workers was beaten. Embassy staff are collecting evidence and documenting abuses to submit to the United Nations, SADC, and the African Union. The Administration has increased its calls for African governments to play a greater role in resolving the political impasse. During a visit by the British Prime Minister to Washington, President Bush told the media, “The United Nations and the A.U. must play an active role in resolving the situation in Zimbabwe.”90 Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has said more bluntly, “It is time for Africa to step up.”91 U.S. Assistance. The United States is one of the largest donors of humanitarian assistance to Zimbabwe, providing over $93 million in food and other humanitarian aid in FY2007 and $120 million to date in FY2008. The Administration’s FY2009 request for $45.4 million includes $19.4 million for health programs and $26 million in Economic Support Funds, much of which are designated 85 News Briefing by State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack on April 15, 2008, and “Mugabe Trying to Steal Elections, Says U.S. Official,” CNN, April 24, 2008. 86 Daily Press Briefing by State Department Spokesman Tom Casey, May 1, 2008. 87 Statement by Ambassador McGee, “Breaking the Silence on Political Violence in Zimbabwe,” May 8, 2008, available at [http://harare.usembassy.gov]. 88 The convoy included the ambassadors of the United States, Britain, the EU, and Japan; the deputy ambassadors of Tanzania and the Netherlands; and embassy staff and journalists. 89 “U.S. Ambassador Says Zimbabwe Government Doing Nothing to Stop Post-Election Violence,” Voice of America, May 14, 2008. 90 Remarks by President Bush during a press conference with Prime Minister Brown at the White House, April 17, 2008. 91 On-the-Record Briefing by Secretary Rice in Washington, DC, April 17, 2008.