Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Sydney Kawadza
9 September 2008
Harare — SOUTH AFRICAN President Thabo Mbeki, who is mediating in the inter-party dialogue between Zimbabwe's three main political parties, arrived in the country yesterday armed with a document which seeks to resolve the issue of sharing and distributing executive powers.
The document, a source said, will lay the basis for the continuation of the negotiations between Zanu-PF and the two MDC formations which stalled last month when Morgan Tsvangirai asked for time to "reflect and consult" on the agreement assented to by President Mugabe and Arthur Mutambara and endorsed by Sadc leaders at their summit last month.
President Mbeki arrived in Harare yesterday afternoon accompanied by his facilitating team of Local Government Minister Mr Sydney Mufamadi, director-general in the presidency Reverend Frank Chikane and legal advisor Advocate Mojankunyane Gumbi.
The source said the document was presented to all the parties during a meeting held at the Rainbow Towers in Harare yesterday when the negotiations resumed.
"President Mbeki has submitted a document that looks at the executive powers and their distribution while it also looks at the structure of an all-inclusive government if the parties agree to it.
"The negotiators are now reviewing the mechanism presented in the document. It is an extensive and technical document.
"The negotiators would study, debate and try to find common ground before the resumption of the talks," the source said.
The negotiators, the source said, have to find common ground on the proposed structure of government and review the positions put for debate.
By last night, the negotiators were still locked up in a meeting and are expected to present the results of their negotiations to their principals today.
President Mugabe, who was the first to leave the meeting venue, expressed optimism, saying although a deal had not yet been reached, the parties had made much progress.
"It (the meeting) was a very good meeting. We are moving forward. We are not going back (with the dialogue)."
Tsvangirai, who emerged from the meeting after President Mugabe, referred all questions to party spokesperson Nelson Chamisa, who said the talks were a work in progress with the negotiators continuing with the process last night to find areas of consensus.
"There are some differences but negotiators are working at narrowing them (and) we are hoping to finalise the process tomorrow (today)," said Chamisa.
Mutambara said although the party's six negotiators were continuing with the talks to deal with the outstanding issues, the "struggle continues unabated" in the talks.
President Mugabe and several Cabinet ministers, among them Minister of National Security, Lands, Land Reform and Resettlement, Cde Didymus Mutasa; Minister of Rural Housing and Social Amenities, Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa; Minister of Foreign Affairs Cde Simbarashe Mumbengegwi; Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Cde Nicholas Goche; service chiefs and other senior Government officials, welcomed President Mbeki at the Harare International Airport.
President Mbeki's visit is expected to push Tsvangirai to append his signature to the agreement that would pave way for President Mugabe to form an all-inclusive Government.
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Hey Hey my rhodie, you mean even you fail to realise that the His Excellence, President RMG and Tsvangirai are not equal partners in the negotiations. One has power to arrest and detain the other, legally or otherwise and the other is a friend of worldwide.Anglos.com. Watch this space, if Tsvangirayi does not sign, the rules of the game will certainly change. About a 500-1000 MDC senior members ought to be tried for high treason by Zimbabwe military judges like is happening to the other terrorists on an island off Cuba by the USA military judges.
Tsvangirai will not sign any rotten agreement. He will not be bullied anyway. The people are with him and they are sacrificing for a better life tomorrow. They have run out of patience for Mugabe's 28 years of lunatic and corrupt rule.
Watch out how Mugabe and his cronies will be tried in public for crimes against humanity. Mugabe may even be denied the right of abode in Zimbabwe. Anyway, he will have already run to China like a frighten kitten for his own protection!
Now why should your butcher hero have more power than Tsvangarai? Tsvangarai did get more votes in the only election that was seen by all to be free and fair. Therefore the only election that has a true and fair reflection of the will of the people. Why should Mugabe get more power? Because he beat and murdered his own people? Surely thats not a basis to give him power... dont you think?
There you go again AK 47, with your ridiculous threats , nothing intelligent to offer the debate but "We'll arrest the MDC and charge them with treason". Typical of the brilliance of ZANUPF ! Is that all you morons know ? The people of Zimbabwe spoke and the half Malawian Mugabe Matabiri , ignored them , then beat them into submission , where people were using a marking pen to colour their fingers so your bullies would leave them alone. Thank the Great Nkosi, one day people like you will face not the judgement of the Hague… [Read Full Text]
AK 47, you can't see beyond your nose. Besides the power to arrest what other powers does Mugabe hold? Power to arrest without people behind you is only coercion power which one day will elude you. Be serious! Your Mugabe once threatened that a gun is more mightier than a pen, has that changed, why Tsvangirai's appendage now? Sign with your gun. Tongai tione.
Mbeki is in bed with Mugabi; a partner in crime. They're only interested in shifting the financial and social welfare burdens to Tsvangarai because they know the country is a mess. Mugabi can never solve the finacial and social burden they've created. Only a massive internation fund mobilization can save the nation which Mugabi lacks the credibility to do. In short, Mbeki and Mugabi are only interested to use Tsvangarai to appeal for the much needed financial help from the international community. They're not interested in the security of the people.
Intimidation and harrassment of the opposition is the norm… [Read Full Text]
Akapfunde's mouth tends to run miles ahead of him talking nothing but rubbish.
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Why is Mbeki only pressurising Tsvangarai to compromise and to sign this? Surely an independent mediator should be pushing both sides to meet in the middle?
All seems a little one sided doesnt it!