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Mugabe begins secret talks with opposition
Sebastien Berger, The Daily Telegraph (UK)
July 07, 2007

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/07/07/wzim107.xml

The Zimbabwean regime and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) begin secret negotiations today, as the country descends into ever-worsening chaos. The talks, described as "substantive" and expected to be face-to-face, are being mediated by President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa and will take place in Pretoria. This represents a last-ditch effort by South Africa, with British support, to find a negotiated solution to Zimbabwe's crisis. The country is in the throes of hyperinflation - officially put at 4,530 per cent a year but estimated to be much higher - and a collapsing currency, with the regime ordering price cuts only to see entirely predictable panic-buying emptying the shops and businesses refusing to sell products at a loss.

At the insistence of the hosts, a cloak of confidentiality has been thrown over the discussions in South Africa, but sources have disclosed details of the agenda to The Daily Telegraph. With presidential elections due in March, the MDC is demanding the abolition of Zimbabwe's deeply flawed electoral roll, notorious for excluding huge numbers of likely opposition supporters. Instead it wants anyone to be able to vote on production of a valid national identity card, and for Zimbabweans abroad to be allowed to participate in the election. The MDC is also calling for an independent election commission to replace the existing one, which is appointed by a parliamentary committee stuffed with Mr Mugabe's allies, and for international observers to be allowed to cover the polls. It also wants the repeal of the Public Order and Security Act, which bars public gatherings of more than four people without police permission, and for restrictions on the media to be lifted.

British sources say that easing President Robert Mugabe, 83, into retirement and ensuring that he is not a candidate in the next election is the unspoken objective of all parties, including the South Africans. For its part, the delegation from Mr Mugabe's Zanu PF party wants the MDC to recognise his re-election in 2002, in a poll condemned by international observers. It also wants the opposition to accept the seizure of white-owned land, which triggered the economic collapse. Zimbabwe is hugely dependent on South Africa, not least for electricity, and Mr Mbeki has long been criticised in the West over his policy of engaging Mr Mugabe. South Africa described the 2002 poll as "legitimate and credible". But observers say Mr Mbeki has been humiliated by Mr Mugabe's repeated failure to honour promises, and the South African leader, who must step down in 2009, is concerned about his legacy.

Equally, he wants to avoid being embarrassed in front of southern African presidents, who all appointed him as a mediator. "I'm an optimist about this particular initiative and the commitment that Mbeki has shown," said Ivor Jenkins, director of the Institute for Democracy in South Africa. "The economic crisis is now so severe that Mbeki realises this is the moment, the final chance to save it all. He realises political reconstruction is first required, and the sooner that project can start, particularly in his time, then he can lay claim to it. That's why his commitment is quite high." Whether Mr Mugabe and Zanu PF stick to any deal - and whether the MDC, which is split into two factions and torn by infighting, can build on it - remains to be seen. But Sten Rylander, Sweden's ambassador to Zimbabwe, added: "South Africa is engaged. It must be possible to lead Zimbabwe into a better future."

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