Harare — FORMER UN secretary-general Kofi Annan and his group of "Elders", who claimed they were barred from visiting Zimbabwe, yesterday met reclusive Botswana president, Seretse Khama Ian Khama in South Africa to discuss Zimbabwe.

"Elders" spokeswoman Katy Cronin yesterday told AFP that the "Elders" were discussing Zimbabwe with the Botswana president in Johannesburg.

"The leaders will be discussing a number of issues regarding the Zimbabwe situation," she said.

Ms Cronin could, however, not be drawn into revealing details of the discussions.

The meeting raised eyebrows given that the Botswana leader has boycotted all Sadc forums convened to facilitate talks between Zimba-bwe's parliamentary parties.

This prompted observers to question Khama's readiness to discuss Zimbabwe outside Sadc forums, more so with people linked to London or Washington, outposts of regime change that have not made their contempt of Zimbabwe a secret.

"The Elders have a right to associate with anyone anywhere and discuss any subject under the sun, but Zimbabwe is a sovereign country, they do not have a right to discuss how the country should run its affairs," said one African envoy speaking on condition of anonymity.

The Botswana leader recently caused a diplomatic furore after calling for fresh elections in Zimbabwe amid reports that his country was hosting MDC-T militias under the stewardship of British military trainers.

Sadc has since endorsed an investigation of the militias.

The "Elders" group; made up of Annan, former US president Jimmy Carter and Ms Graca Machel, wife of former South African president Mr Nelson Mandela; had earlier met MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai, who was in Johannesburg after his sojourn to Europe last week.

Ms Cronin, again, refused to divulge details of the "Tsvangirai/Elders" meeting.

Foreign Affairs Minister Cde Simbarashe

Mumbengegwi has since rapped Annan for misrepresenting the Government's position by claiming that his group had been barred from visiting when the Government had postponed the proposed visit because the group had not made prior consultations on the "timing and programme" of the visit.

Cde Mumbengegwi told The Sunday Mail that it would have been difficult for the "Elders" to carry out a meaningful assessment of Zimbabwe's humanitarian needs given that Government had already conducted a thorough humanitarian audit together with the United Nations World Food Programme and the local United Nations Country Team.

The assessment, which culminated in the formulation of a Consolidated Appeal, details areas of the country that require the humanitarian community's immediate attention.

It also takes into account Government's resource mobilisation level and identifies the gap that the humanitarian community needs to fill.

The Government and the WFP last week signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the supply and distribution of 350 000 tonnes of food assistance.

Efforts to get comment from the Government or Embassy of Botswana were fruitless last night.

AFP-Herald Reporter