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Talks on hold to accommodate Chinamasa holiday
Lance Guma, SW Radio Africa
January 10, 2008

http://www.swradioafrica.com/news100108/chamisa100108.htm

The ruling Zanu PF party has requested the postponement of mediation talks between itself and the MDC, because chief negotiator Patrick Chinamasa is on holiday. Earlier in the week South African president Thabo Mbeki personally took charge of the talks in an attempt to save them from collapse. Sources say he intended to chair this weeks meeting in person and try to use his influence to clear outstanding issues. Reports however say Chinamasa is on an extended Christmas and New Year holiday in his rural homestead and because of this Zanu PF claim they are not ready to resume negotiations.

Behind the scenes however there is a growing sense that Mugabe's party is reluctant to implement some of the issues previously agreed to at the talks. Opposition officials claim Zanu PF is refusing to put in place a new 'transitional constitution' and a new voters roll. Additionally the ruling party insists on being in control of choosing election monitors, something the MDC says is not acceptable. Zanu PF is also refusing to postpone the March elections but the MDC say the talks should conclude before an election date can be set, to enable the creation of a free and fair environment for the poll.

There had been concern that Jacob Zuma's defeat of Thabo Mbeki in the race for the ANC leadership had undermined his authority and been a big distraction. Other reports suggested the MDC made contact with Zuma on the sidelines as they grew frustrated with the slow progress of the talks. However the South African President seems to have rolled up his sleeves and is battling to protect his faltering reputation. South African based journalist Basildon Peta told us the talks have failed to meet all the deadlines set and Mbeki is under real pressure to justify his initial optimism.

Analysts have slammed the talks as a backdoor attempt to legitimize Mugabe and Zanu PF's continued reign in the country. Despite the MDC consenting to several amendments, not much has come from Zanu PF in terms of concessions. Minor amendments to security and media laws passed towards the end of last year were described as more administrative than substantive. Last week Thursday MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai warned that his party might boycott the elections if the constitution is not overhauled. March is just 7 weeks away, but the party is still to make this decision.

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