THE Movement for Democratic Change party has appealed to the regional Southern African Development Community for talks to be unlocked and called on President Robert Mugabe to reconsider his ultimatum to appoint cabinet before the talks are concluded, despite their leader indicating that talks will not be resumed anytime soon.
The spokesman for the MDC-T party, Nelson Chamisa made the call yesterday after President Mugabe announced that he would go on and appoint cabinet without the MDC-T arguing that “the country cannot be frozen forever”.
The MDC-T President, Morgant Tsvangirai said on Wednesday that power-sharing negotiations “have broken down and are unlikely to resume soon”.
“It is very clear that the deadlock in the current dialogue has to be unlocked,” Chamisa told a South African radio station
“And to be unlocked we need the help of Sadc and the helping hand of the mediator, (South African) President Thabo Mbeki,” he said.
“It is better to be talking than fighting. Our country is so important, so precious. We need to resolve all our differences through dialogue for prosperity and stability in the country,” he added.
Chamisa’s call comes on the heels of an ultimatum issued by President Mugabe on Wednesday as he left for the funeral of the late Zambian President, Levy Mwanawasa.
“If after tomorrow (Thursday), Tsvangirai does not want to sign, we will certainly put together a cabinet. We feel frozen at the moment,” President Mugabe reporters at the airport.
Chamisa’s call to the South African President’s mediation efforts in direct contrast to the MDC-T President’s earlier statement regarding the efforts of President Mbeki. Morgan Tsvangirai fired fresh criticism on Mbeki saying he crafted the “controversial document” that he was expected to append his signature to.
Tsvangirai told South Africa’s Talk Radio 702 on Wednesday, the MDC-T leader said, “The mediator says there is sufficient grounds for us to sign. He is not the one who is going to sign. It's me.”
He also indicated that there was no likelihood for any further talks between his party and that of President Mugabe citing irreconcilable differences over power-sharing arrangements.
The MDC-T has in the past issued conflicting statements. Last month before the convening of Parliament, the MDC-T Secretary General criticized President Mugabe for swearing in legislators and opening Parliament arguing that it was tantamount to the MDC-T party accepting the legitimacy of President Mugabe. The party nevertheless attended the ceremony. Their leader, Tsvangirai had argued that there was no problem with the convening of Parliament as the talks were predicated on power-sharing and not on the exact structure of the House of Assembly.
It is not clear whether the call by Chamisa to resume the talks is shared by their leader, Tsvangirai who has expressed his dissatisfaction over President Mbeki’s impartiality in the process.
MBEKI EXPECTED IN HARARE NEXT WEEK
President Mbeki is, however, expected to continue with mediation efforts early next week.
Reports had earlier indicated that he would be visiting Zimbabwe soon after the funeral of President Mwanawasa on Thursday, but this was denied by the office of the president in South Africa.
“The presidency wishes to place it on record that President Mbeki is not travelling to Harare today (Thursday)," Mbeki's office said in a statement.
They also attacked the media over the report, saying "these 'informed sources' [quoted by reporters] continually get it wrong, including on matters as basic as the President's itinerary."
Zimbabwe’s Justice Minister, Patrick Chinamasa, has indicated that President Mbeki will be in the country next week in a final attempt to get Tsvangirai to append his signature on the final document paving the way for power-sharing between the two factions of the MDC and the ruling Zanu PF party.
“He (President Mbeki) has not been able to make it today and I am made to understand the trip has been postponed to next week,” Chinamasa said yesterday.
It is not clear whether President Mbeki will be able to salvage the talks. The ruling Zanu PF party has clearly indicated that it will not go back on the proposals currently tabled. Chinamasa last week said as far as Zanu PF was concerned “there was a deal on the table” and it was up to the MDC-T to accept it.
“There is a deal all three parties agreed to,” he said. “Two parties agreed to sign the deal but the third one decided not put his signature” referring to Tsvangirai who walked out of the all-party talks three weeks ago.
CLARABELLA, MANCHESTER • na. Subject: TURN LEFT! NO, TURN RIGHT! Sun, 07 Sep 2008 16:45:01 • i have just developed a terrible migrain wondering what life would be like as Mrs Morgan Tsvangirai?
she has my deepest sympathies.
this is one lady who must wonder what she is going to do next every minute of her waking hours because everything she decides upon will obviously be vetoed by her husband the minute she phones him to ask for his approval.
n/a • n/a Subject: MDC-T Sun, 07 Sep 2008 02:12:43 • The MDC-T party is full of confusion, its true kuti kudzidza kwakanaka.if this party rules Zimbabwe, kunenge kwaakutonyorwa manewspaper after every hour, because Tsvangirai anochinja his statements nguva nenguva, and we are sick and tired of him .he should just tell us where he stands.Is he gonna sign or he is not gonna sign.we want a simple YES or NO.
Patrick Fletcher • Hajray@gmail.com Subject: MDC appeals for further talks Fri, 05 Sep 2008 21:25:02 • Can you imagine where this great nation would be if Morgan had full executive powers with his trademark of indicating left when he is turning right? It would have been an absolute disaster. The guy is a walking contradiction who is seriously compromised by imperialists.
If you look at the psychological profile of dictators, past and present, you will see that they are a contradiction. Tsvangirai is a dictator waiting in the wing.
Early Times • isaac_1212@hotmail.com Subject: Too Many Cooks Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:51:05 • The latest devastating news coming from Southern Africa is but another cogent example of an old but timeless saying: Too many cooks spoil the stew!
At the end of the day, time must wait for no one. Showers of blessings to Zimbabwe.
n/a • n/a Subject: Imagine where this country would be Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:39:29 • Can you imagine where this great nation would be if Morgan had full executive powers with his trademark of indicating left when he is turning right? It would have been an absolute disaster. The guy is a walking contradiction who is seriously compromised by imperialists.
The guy will never sign if it means mari yekudusa will stop flowing. The MDC-T can't win an election without buying votes. Vanodusa and the voters are used to that. That's why they are fighting hard to ensure that by-elections are scrapped becoz Zanu pf will regain its majority hands down and without any shadow of doubt if i may borrow from Biti's rant phrase.
How long will they go on like this. There is already some visible movements within MDC-T that could spell disaster for morgan. Watch this space.
Tisu Vatongi • tisu@hotmail.com Subject: Zanu Maivona Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:48:29 • The fact of the matter is Zanu-PF will never yield to pressure and if Tsvangson is not willing to sign the deal ... a deal that is based on the fair principle that MDC-T has 99 MPs, Zanu-PF 98 and MDC 10 and Moyo 1, then Tisu Vatongi and tichatonga kusvikira madhongi amera nyanga.
Our struggle as Zanu-PF is based on principle and as such inflation will never lead to our demise...they used to say once inflation hits 100%, Zanu-PF will collapse, now they mutter that once it reaches 100 billion percent.
Fact is revolutions are not won or lost based on economic data....takarwa hondo yechimurenga tisina budget and Zimbabwe was liberated....
Have you guys noticed that our tobacco production is increasing year on year for the last three seasons....you watch....
N/A • N/A Subject: N/A Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:06:33 • Guys Morgan will sign the document. He is waiting for this award so that if he gets that award past the other fellows like the Lama, then he will get the next plane to Harare, rush and sign the agreement. He will have pocketed whatever money is involved, and will be in Western history books as a hero.
But how many of us Zimbabweans will be suffering while we wait for this guy to be honoured by the West. That is the issue. You get rewarded for destroying your country on their behalf-protecting their interests. Hameno. Ngatitongei vaone.
Dreads • na.brixton Subject: stop pulling me by the nose. Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:46:37 • SURELY MT KNOWS THAT UOU CAN ONLY PULL SO MANY PEOPLE BY THE NOSE FOR SO LONG AND THEN THEY TIRE OF IT.
WE ALREADY KNOW THAT MDC HAS SOME EXCELLENT CHARACTERS IN THAT PARTY - DECISION MAKERS THAT COULD EASILY FILL HIS SHOES - GIVEN HALF A CHANCE.
n/a • n/a Subject: Call for more talks Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:08:55 • It is clearly evident that all is not well in the MDC camp. How else can one explain the contradictions between Tsvangirai who trashed Mbeki's mediation and Chamisa's appeal to the same mediator to unlock the talks. This gives credence to the speculation that there is an underground movement that is only hanging by Tsvangirai because he is still attractive to the providers of capital.
These hangers-on are probably the more sensible and democratic lot but feel incompetent to convince the providers of capital to shift base. If this is true then the people's project has been hijacked and seriously compromised by the providers of capital.
But be warned MDC-T the tide might soon turn in a very unexpected way that could have devastating consequencies for you. Do not take the people of Zimbabwe for granted. Remember that they voted for you because you promised to return basic comodities back on shelves. The masses are beginning to question your sincerity and integrity as the sanctions bite.
You are advised to stop this pussyfooting games and declare your stand regarding the talks. It's either you pull out completely or you go for a power sharing deal. There is no middle ground here as we do not have the time for it as Zimbabwe is burning
cornelius, slough • na Subject: ITS OLD BUT ITS TRUE Fri, 05 Sep 2008 10:46:07 • Two is company - three is a crowd.... said a long
time ago but still relevant in this millenium age.
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