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Talks about talks stutter as MDC demands end to violence
Fiona Forde and Peta Thornycroft, Star (SA)
July 15, 2008

http://www.zwnews.com/issuefull.cfm?ArticleID=19152

Zimbabwe's rival parties were locked in talks in Harare last night, putting the finishing touches to a draft document intended to pave the way for power-sharing negotiations to begin later this week. Even in its draft form, however, the so-called memo of understanding is already dividing the three parties it aims to unite. Scheduled to be signed tomorrow, the document was to lay the ground rules for a two-week round of intensive negotiations during which Zanu PF and both factions of the Movement for Democratic Change would discuss the formation of an inclusive government to put an end to the crisis. However, Morgan Tsvangirai's wing of the MDC insist they won't sign the draft until their demands are met. They are calling for the appointment of an African Union envoy to the Southern African Development Community-led talks, the release of all political prisoners, cessation of violence and disbandment of all militias before they join the negotiating table.

With just 24 hours to go until the scheduled signing ceremony, Tsvangirai suggested time was not on the negotiators' side. "We will not sign until the conditions are met," he said last night. "And Wednesday is too early" to get those conditions in place, he added. Even if the MDC conditions are met, the MDC's chief negotiator, Tendai Biti, believes "Zanu PF will not budge on real issues of governance". However, a member of President Robert Mugabe's party, who spoke on condition of anonymity, suggested otherwise. He said finding a solution was in everybody's interest. What Zanu PF is likely to do next if the MDC refuses to sign the memo of understanding is unclear. Under Zimbabwe's constitution, the new parliament should be convened on Thursday, when a new cabinet should also be appointed. However, if the MDC refuses to agree to talks tomorrow, Mugabe could well constitute a cabinet of his own picking a day later - something the other parties would hope to avoid.

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