SW Radio Africa (London)
Violet Gonda
7 August 2008
South African President Thabo Mbeki was expected to meet Zimbabwean political leaders in Harare on Thursday and the red carpet was rolled out for him, but it was rolled up again when Mbeki did not show. Reports now say he is expected at the weekend.
Iden Wetherell, the projects editor of the Zimbabwean Independent and Standard newspapers, said Mbeki's non arrival indicates that not everything is entirely in place, and wants to be satisfied that there is sufficient consensus. Other reports say the South African leader is waiting for the negotiators to brief their principals. The negotiators for the political parties were heading back to Zimbabwe late Thursday.
And so the confusion over the talks continues - parties are sworn to secrecy, and journalists have the difficult task of putting together pieces of information, that may or may not be true, that are 'leaked.'
Zimbabwe is in a fragile situation, politically and economically, and the lack of information over these critical talks is potentially very dangerous.
A report doing the rounds claims to be a draft settlement, making Mugabe ceremonial President with Tsvangirai in the position of executive Prime Minister. It also states that those involved in the campaign of violence will have full immunity from prosecution.
But analysts are highly sceptical about the authenticity of this 'draft' saying Mugabe is unlikely to accept the role of ceremonial president. They also doubt that the opposition parties would call for a blanket amnesty on perpetrators of violence. One senior MDC official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: "It's a difficult one to sell to our supporters and even to some of us. The amnesty issue is not even an agenda item in the MoU."
The main bone of contention at the talks remains the same - the positions of power - and this is the major stumbling block.
Meanwhile, it is understood that the negotiators had separate bilateral talks with South Africa's chief facilitator, Minister Sydney Mufamadi. These discussions also included other South African officials.
Sources say negotiators for the Tsvangirai MDC - Tendai Biti, Elton Mangoma - plus their support negotiators Lovemore Moyo, Teresa Makone, Elphas Mukonoweshuro, Innocent Chagonda - met the SA officials on Wednesday morning.
Negotiators for the Mutambara MDC - Welshman Ncube, Priscilla Misihairabwi Mushonga - plus their support negotiators Miriam Mashaya, Moses Mzila Ndlovu, Romaldo Mavedzenge, Josphat Tshuma - reportedly met the SA officials later on Wednesday.
ZANU PF negotiators, Patrick Chinamasa and Nicholas Goche, met Mufamadi on Thursday morning. Emmerson Mnangagwa, the head of the notorious Joint Operations Command, was present at this meeting and so were John Nkomo, Sydney Sekeremayi, Oppah Muchinguri and Stan Mudenge. This was the first time that the ZANU PF had brought in their additional negotiators. Speculation is rife that Mnangagwa's presence is in order to discuss the attitude of the state's security forces to the talks.
It is not known what transpired during the bilateral talks but it is believed the South Africans wanted to talk to the parties individually to hear their private thoughts on the progress. Sources say the negotiators were heading back to Zimbabwe to brief their individual principals.
But it remains a mystery as to why Zimbabweans are denied any real facts about these crucial discussions, that will have such an impact on their lives.
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Being totally off subject is bad enough, but I do not think that in 50 odd years of life I have ever heard of such blithering nonsense as ‘leviboone’ espouses. Indeed, the claim of being from the U.S.A. is not only doubtful, but wherever he/she/it is from, checking into the nearest mental health facility is a must for the safety of all. May God bless this misdirected soul According to His Word and Law.
I was also wondering what this fellow is talkin about. Anywhere we forgive him. Only facts are needed for effective negotiations.
Mystified??????....Don't be.Our president here in America thought just because we have the a-bomb he could do any- thing he wish to anyone, anywhere,at anytime.Just him and Tony Blair are the Problems.They are the reason in America we pay over $400,per gal.for gas.When President Clinton left office high test was $1,99per. gal.and we had a balance budget and a surplus.Bush ,Chaney,Blair, and now that Brown; take a lesson from that group.I'm waiting for Isreal to drop some- thing on (Germany)for 6,000,000 Jews. Since they have the A bomb George Bush gave them. BOB BUSH,is also trying to tell China what to do.Remember when US and UK didn't want China to have an A-bomb?Keep rolling out the red carpet for your- selves.Long live RGM and Tsvangira.Down with MEDDLERS. From the USA.Taboro,North Carolina.Owiej Liebo. AMERICA!!!!!!!.