Harare — PRIME Minister Tsvangirai yesterday dismissed reports of a stalemate in Government saying the parties to the inclusive Government were determined to resolve outstanding issues in the Global Political Agreement.
Speaking to journalists in Harare after addressing a commemoration to mark the 90th anniversary of the International Labour Organisation, PM Tsvangirai also said the issue of MDC-T activists facing charges in court was being handled through the courts.
"They (outstanding issues) will be addressed and we are in the process of addressing them. We cannot go on forever and ever . . . We have to address these issues.
"We have no specific dates, but we cannot go on (with) outstanding issues always hanging over our heads," PM Tsvangirai said.
President Mugabe, PM Tsvangirai and Deputy Prime Minister Mutambara met on Monday to discuss the outstanding issues under the Global Political Agreement.
The meeting was also attended by Vice Presidents Joseph Msika and Joice Mujuru and Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe.
Members of the Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa and Industry and Commerce Minister Welshman Ncube briefed the principals at the meeting.
JOMIC was set up to monitor the implementation of the power-sharing agreement.
In a statement, the Prime Minister's Office described the meeting as fruitful and insightful, dismissing reports that former South African president Cde Thabo Mbeki -- who brokered the power-sharing agreement under Sadc -- had been invited to mediate.
"The principals only resort to mediation in the event of a stalemate and in this case no stalemate was declared."
It was also agreed that all the outstanding issues could only be dispensed with through a process of negotiation.
The meeting was adjourned to today.
On MDC officials facing charges of banditry and sabotage, PM Tsvangirai said the accused persons were in the process of applying for bail.
"We are pursuing that in terms of the agreed procedures."
PM Tsvangirai said Government was aware of its responsibilities, which it was also committed to carrying out, including ensuring the upholding of the rule of law.
"Without investor confidence, we cannot attract investment or access lines of credit necessary to kick-start our economy.
"Therefore, this Government in general, and my office in particular, are dedicated to ensuring that the laws of this land are applied consistently, impartially and fairly."
He said Government, through Parliament, would pursue a legislative agenda that entrenches the rights of all citizens and stakeholders so that people can live in prosperity, free from fear, hunger or persecution.
PM Tsvangirai said the signing of the Decent Work Country Programme between labour, business and Government was a necessary step as it was in line with Zimbabwe's roadmap towards economic recovery.
"In line with the pursuance of the Decent Work agenda in Zimbabwe, I am confident that this Government's Short-Term Emergency Recovery Programme will provide a solid foundation and realistic framework through which to pursue this agenda."
He also called on both labour and business to join hands with Government in transforming STERP into reality.
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Poor Tsvangirai, why he even have to be the one to lie to the public in an effort to give a positive look on a failing deal!!
Its almost two months Mr Tsvangirai and so far what we are seeing is ZANU PF is still in total control and MDC is like a young brother, farm invasions havent stopped (in fact they seem to be intenstifying), Bernnet is not yet in Cabinet, Gono and Tomana are still in Government, Chamisa has been demoted, service chiefs have not recognised you,Governors, ambassadors...... Before you know it will be December and the status will be the same.
I am not very convinced that Tsvangirai and his advisors are reading this game as much as the more strategic Zanu PF. It'll be a case of 'seeing clearly now that the rain is gone' when eventually Tsvangirai and his colleagues will realize that all their energies, time and efforts were put to waste when Mugabe and cohorts start reneging on promises and concessions made earlier in the game...why??..because elections would be near! If the MDC cannot wake up to the reality of this fact, they are just Zanu PF material now and forever. They are merely wasting time being dragged on forever on issues that are not going to add value to the electoral process come two years time! Zanu PF, by the time it agreed to become part of the game, had given themselves enough time to reflect on their mission and precisely what they wanna achieve, and the MDC was so foolishly cornered to accept to become partners in crime! Now, it's the duty of the MDC to all off sanctions, acquire the necessary capital injections and aid flows, whilst Zanu Militias remain intact, farm invasions continue, Tomana continues to call his shots, Gono is the chef at the RBZ, prisoners continue languishing in jails, hunger continues to affect the majority of rural citizenry because they can't afford to raise incomes in USD. Zanu PF is jus waiting like a vulture, to pounce when the time is ready....remember this interim deal is just meant to pave way for elections?! Who will cry if and when Mugabe calls elections 1 year down the line? Ohh no, we are not ready because we do not have Permanent secretaries or governors or because our prisoners are still in jail? MDC is a bunch of nonsense and ill-advised lot. Now, they have been baited with porsche packages including the controversial benz cars etc, they cannot resist temptations of resource quandery..how then do they differentiate themselves from Zanu Pf which is corrupt to the bone? MDC is gone to the dogs!
Shashe or Sheshe are you trying to warn us that all those heads in the MDC-T MDC-M and ZanuPF are so blind that they cant see if Mugabe is plotting. Plotting what? Shashe please enlighten this soul for I am blind and illeterate I cant see or hear or decipher what MDC and ZanuPF are doing. Please tell us before the unknowing kills the knowing. You must be very clever to see what Tvangirayi and his team cant see. my God what are you doing out there leaving MDC without an advisor of your repute. I wish if I where you I would give advice to MDC to participate in the GNU with more vigour.
The major reason Tsvangirai is still clinging to the GNU is that it provides protection to them from Mugabe's thugs in the Army and Police in their daily political activities. Zimbos could not do anything to halt the violence that Mugabe started during the run up of the presidential elections. Zimbos let Tsvangirai down then.
The GNU enables Tsvangirai to implement his strategy to weaken devil Mugabe in the long run. See how he is beginning to corner Mugabe in ensuring that the laws of the land be applied consistently, impartially and fairly. he will not succeed at all times, but he is gradually chipping away ath Mugabe's prerogatives.
Had Zimbos been like Zambians, ready to defy a dictator in his own yard, Mugabe would have long gone into the dusbin of history.
So let us give Tsvangirai the benefit of the doubt.
Make up your mind, Moyo; and end the feminine-like vacillation!
Those who are a slave of vacillation, are UNRELIABLE, untrustworthy -- a weak link in the chain that should be binding ALL African patriots!
If an African can't have or create for himself a 'tailor made' political party (one that is perfect in every way), then an alert African will know to seriously align himself with the best part available. And then work to make that part more 'ideal' for himself and for Zim Patriots.
The relentless and racist enemies of Africans are depending on the existence of vacillating Africans like yourself; so that the sinful seeds of "divide and dominate" can be sown 'successfully' among Africans!
Africans can deny a foothold to their historically racist, divisive and destructive enemies by being COMPLETELY Afrocentric, in the uncompromising quest for Self-determination, Self-development, Self-sufficiency and Self-reliance.
So for your sake, quit the vacillation, Moyo; because disloyalty and untrustworthiness will never be rewarded with anything but disrespect and disregard. Practical people don't have time to waste on vacillating individuals.
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