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Zimbabwean civil society briefed by MDC
Violet Gonda, SW Radio Africa
September 10, 2008

http://www.swradioafrica.com/news100908/zimcivsoc100908.htm

The Tsvangirai led MDC briefed leaders of the civil society on Tuesday regarding the inter party talks with ZANU PF and the Mutambara led MDC. Party Spokesman Nelson Chamisa gave the civic leaders a progress report on the negotiations saying there were a few minor issues that were left to be discussed but were hopeful they could be resolved.

Civic groups that were present at the meeting included the National Constitutional Assembly, Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, Zimbabwe National Students Union, Zimbabwe Human Rights Forum and Women in Politics Support Unit.

This is the second time that the main MDC met members of the civil society in recent weeks. The other stakeholders have been pressing for a role in the power sharing talks and condemned the exclusive nature of the negotiations that began on the 21st of July.

In keeping with the "secret" manner in which the talks have been conducted, it is reported the civic leaders were also gagged from briefing the media about Tuesday's meeting. But sources at the meeting who talked on condition of anonymity said the "minor issues" being discussed still revolved around the sharing of executive powers.

It is said South African President Thabo Mbeki came back, when talks reconvened on Monday, with an amended draft proposing that Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai co-chair the cabinet. According to sources at the civic briefing, the draft proposes the Presidency for Mugabe with two Vice Presidents - both from ZANU PF. Tsvangirai is expected to be Prime Minister with two Deputy Prime-Ministers from his party. The third position of the deputy premier was a suggestion from Mbeki for someone from the Mutambara side.

It is reported there is still no agreement on which portfolios (Ministries) the respective parties are going to take.

The other contentious issue is said to be the issue of a new constitution. It's reported the MDC has been calling for an 18 month transitional period that will also result in the drafting of a new constitution but ZANU PF is said to be proposing a 5 year term.

Under the proposed agreement a Council of State will be set up comprising the leaders of the political parties, to enable decisions to be made based on consensus. It is this Council that will be expected to appoint ambassadors, Commissions and the Reserve Bank Governor.

Under the proposed agreement there will not be any by-elections during the transitional period in order to maintain stability. It is reported that the affected party will appoint another representative if a member of parliament or senate dies.

It is understood there were split opinions with some civic leaders saying some issues have been compromised and will affect the whole idea of democracy. They said the appointment of individuals by the Council of State would be undemocratic and where a representative dies, the people should be able to choose who should lead them. However there was a general acceptance that negotiations are the way forward.

At the time of broadcast the political parties were still locked in negotiations at a hotel in Harare on Wednesday.

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