Talks to break Zim deadlock

HARARE – Negotiators gathered for talks yesterday to break the deadlock in Zimbabwe’s power-sharing agreement as lawmakers prepared for the first business session of the new opposition-dominated parliament.

Former South African President Thabo Mbeki, who flew to Harare late on Monday, waited to convene the talks at the Harare hotel where negotiators arrived before their party leaders. Negotiators had begun meeting among themselves and by noon Arthur Mutumbara, leader of a smaller opposition faction, was the only one of the three Zimbabwean leaders to arrive.It was not clear when the other principles – main opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai or President Robert Mugabe – would arrive.Mbeki, appointed chief regional mediator, brokered the deal between Mugabe and the opposition to form a unity government.However, over the weekend, Tsvangirai threatened to walk out of the talks after Mugabe said his party would control all key ministries, prompting widespread condemnation and pushing talks to the brink of collapse.The first session of the new legislature was slated for yesterday.At official opening ceremonies last month, rival lawmakers jeered Mugabe.In March elections, the opposition narrowly won control of the 210-seat parliament for the first time since independence in 1980.No details were immediately available from party or parliament officials on the agenda, but the first sitting of a new session routinely starts with debate on Mugabe’s comments at the official opening.Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa, Mugabe’s chief negotiator, said on state radio that the nation has been “drifting” since the elections without a full government.While Zimbabwe’s politicians bicker, half the population – 5.1 million people – faces starvation, two-thirds of children are out of school, and water shortages have led to deadly cholera outbreaks in three parts of the country, according to aid agencies.On Monday, the European Union, a main aid donor to Zimbabwe, condemned Mugabe’s unilateral move to take control of key government ministries.British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said Europeans would “play no part in supporting a power grab by the Mugabe regime.”As part of the deal, two opposition parties were to hold a total of 16 Cabinet seats and Mugabe’s party 15.An official list of Cabinet portfolios published Saturday gave Mugabe’s party the ministries of defence, home and foreign affairs, justice, mining and land, among others.It gives the opposition minor ministries, such as constitutional affairs and water management.”That is not power sharing, it is power grabbing,” Tsvangirai told thousands of supporters at a rally on Sunday.He said Zimbabweans were prepared to “suffer some more” to get a more equitable agreement.- Nampa-APNegotiators had begun meeting among themselves and by noon Arthur Mutumbara, leader of a smaller opposition faction, was the only one of the three Zimbabwean leaders to arrive.It was not clear when the other principles – main opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai or President Robert Mugabe – would arrive.Mbeki, appointed chief regional mediator, brokered the deal between Mugabe and the opposition to form a unity government.However, over the weekend, Tsvangirai threatened to walk out of the talks after Mugabe said his party would control all key ministries, prompting widespread condemnation and pushing talks to the brink of collapse.The first session of the new legislature was slated for yesterday.At official opening ceremonies last month, rival lawmakers jeered Mugabe.In March elections, the opposition narrowly won control of the 210-seat parliament for the first time since independence in 1980.No details were immediately available from party or parliament officials on the agenda, but the first sitting of a new session routinely starts with debate on Mugabe’s comments at the official opening.Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa, Mugabe’s chief negotiator, said on state radio that the nation has been “drifting” since the elections without a full government.While Zimbabwe’s politicians bicker, half the population – 5.1 million people – faces starvation, two-thirds of children are out of school, and water shortages have led to deadly cholera outbreaks in three parts of the country, according to aid agencies.On Monday, the European Union, a main aid donor to Zimbabwe, condemned Mugabe’s unilateral move to take control of key government ministries.British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said Europeans would “play no part in supporting a power grab by the Mugabe regime.”As part of the deal, two opposition parties were to hold a total of 16 Cabinet seats and Mugabe’s party 15.An official list of Cabinet portfolios published Saturday gave Mugabe’s party the ministries of defence, home and foreign affairs, justice, mining and land, among others.It gives the opposition minor ministries, such as constitutional affairs and water management.”That is not power sharing, it is power grabbing,” Tsvangirai told thousands of supporters at a rally on Sunday.He said Zimbabweans were prepared to “suffer some more” to get a more equitable agreement.- Nampa-AP