Tue, 02:39 11 Nov 2008 GMT17

 

Tsvangirai says Zimbabwe power-sharing deal can work
18 Oct 2008 15:18:41 GMT
Source: Reuters
(Adds quotes, details, background)

By Michael Saburi

BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe, Oct 18 (Reuters) - Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai said on Saturday he hoped a power-sharing deal would work but that there was a problem of trust between him and President Robert Mugabe.

"There's nothing wrong with the deal, that's why we signed. It's only when it came to implementation that we ran into problems," he told thousands of supporters at a rally in Zimbabwe's second city Bulawayo and opposition stronghold.

Mugabe and MDC leader Tsvangirai failed again to agree on a cabinet after four days of talks mediated by former South African President Thabo Mbeki which ended on Friday.

The power-sharing deal is seen as Zimbabwe's best hope for rescuing an economy where fuel and food are scarce and inflation stands at 231 million percent, the world's highest.

Heads of state who form regional grouping SADC's defence and security committee are due to meet in Swaziland on Monday for talks to try to secure a breakthrough.

Mugabe, Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara, leader of the smaller MDC faction, will take part in the troika meeting of the leaders of Angola, Mozambique and Swaziland, Mbeki has said.

"We agreed to go to SADC, so we're going on Monday. We want this marriage to work. If we agree to everyone's satisfaction, we will return and form a government," said Tsvangirai, who also described the negotiations as the "dialogue of the dead."

"It's a one-man monologue. Mugabe doesn't negotiate, he just says 'No. I don't want'," he said.

Tsvangirai beat Mugabe in a March 29 presidential election but fell short of enough votes to avoid a June run-off, which was won by Mugabe unopposed after Tsvangirai pulled out, citing violence and intimidation against his supporters.

Mugabe's victory in the run-off was condemned around the world and drew toughened sanctions from Western countries whose support is vital for reviving Zimbabwe's ruined economy.

Tsvangirai suggested a new leadership would find it hard to work together given years of animosity between him and Mugabe.

"When we return from Mbabane and if we get to form the government we will, from the start, have a problem of trust," said Tsvangirai.

Tsvangirai threatened to pull out of talks last Sunday after Mugabe allocated powerful ministries such as defence, finance and home affairs to his own party.

Mbeki said on Friday a deal was still possible despite another round of inconclusive talks. But his role has been thrown into doubt since South Africa's ruling ANC party forced him to resign. (Writing by Michael Georgy; Editing by Matthew Jones)
AlertNet news is provided by

Background information


Related articles

Breaking stories
Asia Obama: No decision on trying Guantanamo detainees

Middle East Obama team: No decisions on reversing Bush orders

AlertNet insight
Asia Experts call for better data on climate change migrants

Aid agency news feed
Africa WORLD VISION URGES OBAMA ADMINISTRATION AND CONGRESS TO MAKE POVERTY ALLEVIATION A TOP FOREIGN POLICY PRIORITY

Blogs
Asia CLIMATE CHANGE BLOG: Does poverty equal vulnerability?

Maps
Americas MAP: Global Incidence of H5N1 Virus


Del.icio.us Del.icio.us  |   Digg Digg  |   NewsVine NewsVine  |   Reddit Reddit   
Thumb for /thefacts/imagerepository/RTRPICT/2008-11-09T122829Z_01_JOH-14_RTRIDSP_2_ZIMBABWE-POLITICS_mainimage.jpg|/thenews/pictures/JOH 14.htm
Thumb for /thefacts/imagerepository/RTRPICT/2008-11-09T122701Z_01_JOH15_RTRIDSP_2_ZIMBABWE-POLITICS_mainimage.jpg|/thenews/pictures/JOH15.htm
Thumb for /thefacts/imagerepository/RTRPICT/2008-11-09T120859Z_01_JOH13_RTRIDSP_2_ZIMBABWE-POLITICS_mainimage.jpg|/thenews/pictures/JOH13.htm
Thumb for /thefacts/imagerepository/RTRPICT/2008-11-09T120823Z_01_JOH02_RTRIDSP_2_ZIMBABWE-POLITICS_mainimage.jpg|/thenews/pictures/JOH02.htm
Thumb for /thefacts/imagerepository/RTRPICT/2008-11-09T120131Z_01_JOH-12_RTRIDSP_2_ZIMBABWE-POLITICS_mainimage.jpg|/thenews/pictures/JOH 12.htm

Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) supporters chant slogans as they protest outside the venue of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) meeting in Sandton November 9,2008. Southern African leaders opened a ...



URL: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/LI604466.htm

For our full disclaimer and copyright information please visit http://www.alertnet.org