Published by the government of Zimbabwe
17 November 2008
Harare — MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai, who failed to attend his party's crucial national council to have a post-mortem of the outcome of Sadc Extraordinary Summit on the formation of an all-inclusive government on Friday, is apparently globe-trotting and is now in France.
France is the current chair of the European Union (EU), which slapped Zimbabwe with illegal sanctions that have condemned ordinary people to immense suffering.
It was not immediately clear what type of travel document Mr Tsvangirai was using, since he had only been issued with an Emergency Travel Document (ETD) valid for South Africa.
Mr Tsvangirai is said to be consulting his European masters on the way forward after the summit resolved that the all-inclusive Government be formed immediately with the disputed Ministry of Home Affairs being co-managed by Zanu-PF and MDC-T.
EU Development Commissioner Louis Michel told AFP yesterday that the EU backed Mr Tsvangirai's quest to become Prime Minister.
"I assured Tsvangirai of our support. He wants the means provided by this responsibility, and we support him in this.
"The strongest pressure that the EU can apply" to help him "is to announce a very strong (aid) commitment if a Government is soon formed," Mr Michel said.
While the rest of Mr Tsvangirai's team came back home, from Sandton he remained behind and his party said he was consulting regional leaders on the way forward. He, however, met Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba and King Mswati III, soon after the summit and thereafter flew to France.
France 24.com yesterday quoted Mr Tsvangirai as warning that President Mugabe would cause the collapse of a power-sharing agreement if he proceeded to form the all-inclusive government, in an apparent contradiction with the decision taken by his national council.
"He would have literally collapsed the deal," Mr Tsvangirai told AFP in Stasbourg, northern France.
He also said negotiations on the power-sharing government with President Mugabe must not be allowed to run on indefinitely.
"It can't be forever," Mr Tsvangirai said. "We cannot go on and on and on."
The MDC national council on Friday said it would only join the all-inclusive government once Constitutional Amendment No 19 is passed to comply with all the terms of the 15 September deal, under which Cde Mugabe remains President and Mr Tsvangirai becomes Prime Minister.
Yesterday MDC-T spokesperson Mr Nelson Chamisa refused to comment on the whereabouts of Mr Tsvangirai.
"I comment on the party. On president Tsvangirai's itinerary or schedule I refer you to his personal spokesperson (Mr George Sibotshiwe)," said Mr Chamisa.
No comment could be obtained from Mr Sibotshiwe, who is based in South Africa.
Zanu-PF information sub-committee member Cde Christopher Mutsvangwa, said the Government hoped that Mr Tsvangirai's efforts were directed towards the international normalisation of the Zimbabwean case.
"If his efforts are directed towards international normalisation of Zimbabwe's relations with EU, then it is a welcome move. One hopes that he is sending a message to those countries that we have come together and we are forming an inclusive Government," said Cde Mutsvangwa.
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Leave the bumbler alone; at least he has gone home: to his masters in Europa.
Out of Africa, finally. Maybe, he'll have some croissants and other goodies from the French who, under Montesquieu, declared themselves the masters of the world. Imagine. Atheists pure: Isn't "God" supposed to be the master of the world?
Masters of the world, my foot. Thieves of wealth africaine, I chant.
Don't ever underestimate an old fighter, whose name I need not name.
Cheers from Mugabe land.
He is asking for increased food and aid, he is asking for no sanctions. What is so bad about that? Zanu is inhibiting the disribution of food and medicines. They stop Ngo's, steal the funds from their accounts. Who cares more for the people of Zimbabwe? certainly not Zanu PF
The Herald should not underestimate the mindset of Zimbabweans; editorial staff at Herald should be promoting the unity of Zimbabweans rather than fanning false hatred. We are aware much of the violence that occurred in this country was fermented by The Herald. Zimbabweans will never and never be influenced to change their long cherished resolve to change the political landscape of Zimbabwe. Fermenting HATE is no solution to Zimbabwe. Rhodesia had strong money to influence anyone but when a Zimbabwean says NO its NO. We are aware some of you are doing it for cheap money but you are not… [Read Full Text]
Atleast MDC realises that globalisation calls for greater opening to the outside world for the higher national interest. Acting in the manner of lunatic Mugabe by isolating a government and keeping the nation servile under a police state will, on the contrary, continue to dehumanize Zimbos and keep them under famine conditions.
Who are those fools who want to support lunatic Mugabe's isolationist policy? He is anyway an illegitimate power and will, one day, be sent to the gallows. Just watch out.
Where, dude, is your pyschoanalytic evidence that MUGABE, the African fighter who sent one Mr. MT to his masters in Paris, France is a lunatic?
You're excused, of course, if your use of the odious term is merely evaluative, not ANALYTICAL, for some people do have a privilege, right or whatever to ex-press lunatic opinions.
Cheers.
Only lunatics like you who praise murderer and devil Mugabe are unable to see the writings on the wall !
Thanks God, the majority has already disown the naked king, who you always see as impecably dressed the Brits way!
It's time you abondon the sinking ship like do rats; but are you less intelligent than the rats? Who knows?
how did tsvangirayi get to france if he didn't have a valid passport.it is time these politicians stopped fooling us,looks he has agreed something with mugabe,what is doing with EU presidence.fishy.