MDC abandons preconditions, begins talks

REPORTS coming in from Harare, Zimbabwe’s capital suggest that the opposition Movement for Democratic Change could sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the ruling Zanu PF party as early as today, in a move that could pave the way for substantive talks to be held between the two main parties in the country.

There would be no preconditions as it is becoming evident that the pre-conditions on each side will be very difficult to achieve.

The MDC-T has previously said they would like all violence to end before any talks are considered. They also wanted extra members to be included on the negotiating team led by South African President, Thabo Mbeki and a peacekeeping force deployed into Zimbabwe.

Events on the ground suggest that both sides are getting increasingly concerned about the violence in the country and would like the situation resolved so that the country can move forward.

A special negotiations task force of the MDC-T is said to have resolved that there is a need to ‘move forward’ and that included opening up dialogue with Zanu PF. The task force was locked in a meeting with the party's top brass, including its leader Morgan Tsvangirai on Tuesday and sources say they had made a breakthrough as a party and where ready to engage in talks with the ruling party.

However, MDC-T secretary general, Tendai Bit has indicated that he is skeptical of the outcome of the talks as he believes that Zanu PF is not negotiating in good faith. Biti said Zanu PF had only offered the opposition MDC a few positions in cabinet and could not say whether those positions will be senior positions.

Another official of the MDC-T who spoke to the Zimbabwe Guardian indicated that although the party had reached an agreement to engage Zanu PF, there were also under pressure from the South African delegation to the MOU and start the substantive talks before Jean Ping, the head of the African Union Commission, visits Pretoria later this week.

He said that the MDC-T had realized, after China and Russia vetoed a sanctions drfat against Zimbabwe, that there were very few options left and reports had indicated that President Mugabe was on the brink of announcing a cabinet without including the MDC-T party.

Talks are expected to begin in Harare today (Wednesday) and run until the end of July.- a two week period suggested by Zanu PF. The talks would focus on the formation of an inclusive government.

US UNILATERAL ACTION

Meanwhile, US President George W. Bush said Tuesday that the State and Treasury departments should find more ways to punish Zimbabwe after China and Russia both blocked sanctions at the United Nations – a move seen as likely to put a dent on the talks.

The U.S. had promised to unilaterally find ways to punish Zimbabwe after Zimbabwe's president Robert Mugabe won the presidential run off election that he labeled “a sham”.

On Tuesday the country’s Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer told a Senate hearing that new U.S. sanctions against Zimbabwe were in the process of being drawn.

She indicated that the U.S. administration was working closely with countries in Europe and Africa to pressure President Mugabe.

U.S. is said to be pressuring Botswana and Zambia – Zimbabwe’s neighbours – and Kenya to consider tougher action than mere words. This includes stopping trade with Zimbabwe and putting travel bans by Zanu PF officials to these countries.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has told a State Department forum that President Mugabe's government has become "a tyranny that values nothing but power."

Rice said Zimbabwe was “Africa’s challenge and Africa must succeed” adding that “It is hard to imagine how Africa will ever reach its full potential until all of its leaders are accountable to and respectful of the will of its people.”