Zimbabwe ? President Robert Mugabe on Monday rejected calls for talks with Zimbabwe’s opposition leader on resolving the country’s political and economic crisis.

In a clear reference to neighboring South Africa, Mugabe said he is getting pressure to hold talks with opposition Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai from “quarters that should know better.”

“Today we tell all those calling for such ill-conceived talks to please stop their misdirected efforts,” Mugabe told thousands of cheering supporters at the annual commemoration of the war to end white rule in this former breakaway British colony.

Zimbabwe has asked South Africa for a $1 billion loan to pay arrears on its loan from the International Monetary Fund and to buy critically short supplies like food and fuel.

South Africa reportedly is pressuring Zimbabwe to make economic policy changes and to take steps to resolve its political crisis as conditions for an emergency loan.

Mugabe said it would be better to talk with British Prime Minister Tony Blair than with opposition leader Tsvangirai.

“We would rather talk to the people who manipulate the puppets,” said Mugabe, who has blamed Britain and the United States for all of Zimbabwe’s problems.