Lucas Barasa And Zulekha Nathoo
21 August 2008
Nairobi — Zimbabwe's Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has said that his Movement for Democratic Change party will accept nothing short of a powerful prime minister position.
He said MDC did not just want to share positions with the ruling Zanu-PF of President Mugabe but required necessary authority to run government.
"If we are going to create a prime minister position, he or she should have responsibility to run government, Mr Tsvangirai told a hurriedly convened international press conference at Nairobi's Intercontinental Hotel.
He was speaking after holding talks with Kenya Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Mr Tsvangirai said it is the framework on roles of the proposed PM and President that have stalled the talks between his party and Zanu-PF.
He was categorical that he will not accept to serve as a junior to President Robert Mugabe.
"If we are going to create a position of prime minister, not only should he or she have authority to run government but should also have powers to drive government. One cannot be a junior partner to another. It is not the sharing of position but it is the sharing of power."
Zimbabwe political leaders are holding power sharing talks following a disputed presidential election, which President Mugabe was the sole candidate. MDC'S Tsvangirai had won the first poll but did not gain a majority to avoid a run-off.
Mr Tsvangirai pulled out the second round of balloting citing violence and intimidation on his supporters.
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Nothing less than executive power to whoever the MDC chooses to become the PM!
No reverence to the lunatic who has not only destroyed the socioeconimic fabrics of the society; he has established a rotten banana republic with the collusion of the corrupt Army and Police.
The Mugabe bunch of criminals must prepare to face trial for treason for having facilitated the usurpation of power through their massive anticonstitutional participation in this exercise. Another room in jail should be earmarked for the equally criminal Commissioner of the Electoral Commission.
Excellent, President Tsvangirai, keep it up. Do not waver on that stand. Mugabe can not be your senior. You beat him on March 29 and you were going to beat him again on June 27 if he had not violated the principles governing a fair fight. On that principle (of refusing to be used by Mugabe by becoming his junior), you can as well say 'if Zimbabweans are to suffer because I refuse to be Mugabe's surbodinate, then let them suffer'. Zimbabweans should understand that that's the sacrifice they have to pay for the struggle. In as much as Mugabe and Nkomo could not sell out by joining Ian Smith in the Internal Settlement of 1978 to end the war, Tsvangirai should not join Mugabe, the Smith of today. Let the Muzorewa of today (Mutambara) play his historical role. Let's see where that will get Mutambara and his tiny party.