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Tsvangirai opens up on failed deals
Walter Marwizi, The Standard (Zimbabwe)
August 31, 2008

http://www.thezimbabwestandard.com/local/18835-tsvangirai-opensup-on-failed-deal.html

MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai on Friday vowed to resist any pressure to sign an agreement that does not reflect the aspirations of Zimbabweans as he revealed intricate details of what transpired during the collapsed power-sharing talks.

Shortly before he left for South Africa, Tsvangirai told The Standard he had a hard time during negotiations as he was pressured to sign a deal with President Robert Mugabe.

He also revealed how tempers flared as they haggled over the roles they could assume in a new inclusive transitional government.

Tsvangirai also made startling revelations that South African President Thabo Mbeki prepared the controversial draft that would have made him a lame duck Prime Minister and entrenched Mugabe's grip on the country.

The MDC leader refused to sign the agreement, saying he needed more time to reflect and consult before putting his signature.

Tsvangirai said it was left to Mbeki to come up with the final draft during the Heroes' Holiday after he and Mugabe had failed to agree on some sticking points.

These involved the terms of the transitional government and its duration, the constitution and the need for amendments, the roles and functions of the Prime Minister and the President.

The sticking points were referred to Tsvangirai, Mugabe and MDC leader Arthur Mutambara by negotiators who had failed to find common ground in SA.

Under Mbeki's draft, Tsvangirai realised that he would become an overburdened Prime Minister without any authority: he would not chair the Cabinet and would not have any power to appoint, censure or dismiss ministers.

Yet Tsvangirai would be expected to make sure the economy of country, destroyed by Mugabe's policies, was back on track.

In that ceremonial role, it would be his responsibility to ensure the state "has sufficient resources and appropriate operational capacity to carry out its functions effectively". Tsvangirai said he came under serious pressure from the three leaders to sign the agreement.

Harsh words were exchanged as he was told that was the "best agreement" he could get under the circumstances. If the agreement was unworkable, he could still get back to Sadc leaders, he was told.

Tsvangirai said Mugabe fiercely opposed any constitutional amendment that would dilute his duties, insisting, he needed to remain head of state, government and being Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

Frustrated by the process, Tsvangirai said at one point he suggested that he and Mugabe swap roles in an effort to test the sincerity and fairness of the arrangement.

"Mugabe fumed. He said no ways, he could not become the Prime Minister," Tsvangirai said. While Tsvangirai refused to sign, both Mugabe and Mutambara agreed to the deal.

Tsvangirai said he took a right decision not to sign. He, however, said he made the decision after exhausting all efforts to reach an agreement that would ensure Zimbabwe had a transitional government that could take Zimbabweans out of the present political and economic crisis.

While the MDC had pressed for Mugabe to be a ceremonial President, Tsvangirai revealed he ended up making significant concessions to Mugabe for the sake of the voters who wanted a way out of the crisis.

"Fully aware that we won the March 29 election, we could have demanded nothing but outright victory," he said. "But we reached a position, where we said it was important for cohabitation with Zanu PF for the sake of the country."

"I said yes, Mugabe can remain the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. I also didn't object to Mugabe heading the National Security Council," said Tsvangirai, referring to the body known presently as the Joint Operations Command, a group made up of army, police, prisons and Central Intelligence Organisation chiefs.

"We hoped this would show we were genuine in the quest to find an agreement to establish a transitional government that rebuilds confidence in Zimbabwe and ensure there is food, jobs and justice for Zimbabweans."

But Tsvangirai said his overtures were fruitless because Mugabe, whom he said had not had a "paradigm shift and still thought he was the winner", refused to make some compromises on the functions of the PM.

Mugabe insisted that he chaired the Cabinet.

"I pointed out we could not have a ceremonial Prime Minister. It would have been unprecedented," Tsvangirai said.

"Mugabe wanted to me to be responsible for solving the problems he created, yet he didn't want me to have the full authority to carry out that task. The other problem was how could I be asked to sort out the mess (economic problems) when the person (Mugabe) who created it in the first place was in charge of the Cabinet," Tsvangirai said.

He said it was ironic that pressure was being brought on him to sign the agreement, yet it was Mugabe who was supposed to be pressured into ceding power.

"He refused to share power. He opened Parliament, now he is talking about appointing a Cabinet. This goes against the spirit of the talks."

Despite failure of the talks, Tsvangirai said he would not give up. He spoke as he prepared to leave for SA en route to Zambia where he will attend the burial of Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa.

Tsvangirai would then embark on a diplomatic offensive in West Africa, amid indications that the MDC intends to ask the AU and the UN to take over from where Mbeki left. Party leaders said it was time the two bodies took a central role in trying to get a deal for Zimbabwe as economic hardships worsen.

Commenting on the way Mutambara's faction has sided with Zanu PF in Parliament, Tsvangirai said: "Events this (last) week show serious political opportunism and the betrayal of people's project."

Mutambara was unreachable last week. He is believed to be in the US.

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