REPORTS from the Movement for Democratic Change party over the progress of the all-party talks have been conflicting.
The MDC-T Secretary General, Tendai Biti told Reuters news agency that a deadlock had been reached after the negotiating teams met on Tuesday.
“There's no progress, there's a clear deadlock. We met again today but couldn't move the process forward," Biti told Reuters.
Biti said the MDC-T had resolved to rope in former South African President Thabo Mbeki to continue with facilitation efforts as the talks had reached a deadlock.
However, a statement emailed to the Zimbabwe Guardian from the MDC-T Press Office on Tuesday denied that such a meeting had taken place.
The statement signed by party spokesman Nelson Chamisa, Director of Information and Publicity Luke Tamborinyoka, South African based spokesman Nqobizitha Mlilo, and Morgan Tsvangirai’s spokesman George Sibotshiwe read: “There has been neither contact nor communication made between the MDC and Zanu PF as mischievously reported in The Herald.” The statement continued, “The negotiating teams have not met since the meeting between the three principals on Saturday to discuss the outstanding issues.”
DIFFERENCES ON THE POWER-SHARING DEAL
The MDC-T leadership also seemed to disagree on the historic signing of the power-sharing deal by Zanu PF and the two MDC formations.
Chamisa told South Africa’s News24 that signing the power-sharing deal was “a big mistake” on the part of the MDC-T party.
“Zanu PF are resorting to propaganda, misinformation, misleading the public,” Chamisa accused the ruling party, but did not clarify the true position of the talks.
Tendai Biti told SW Radio on Tuesday that there were no agreements on any ministries, defying previous statements by his own party and the ruling Zanu PF party which said discussions were down to four ministries.
When asked if the MDC-T party regretted signing the power-sharing deal on 9/11, Biti said, “Absolutely not. We have served Zimbabweans to the best of our abilities and we will continue to serve.”
Biti also dispelled rumours that the MDC-T party leader, Morgan Tsvangirai was forced into signing the deal by former President Mbeki. He said the signing of the deal came after intense negotiations by the three political parties.
The Zimbabwe Guardian yesterday failed to get hold of Chamisa to seek clarification on the exact position of the party. His mobile phone went unanswered.
The Zanu PF party insisted the leaders had met and that the MDC statement issued on Tuesday was not correct in saying that no meeting had taken place.
A source in the information ministry said: “I can categorically assure you that a series of meetings have taken place since the principals referred the matter back to the negotiating teams. The meetings are, however, work-in-progress and should be viewed as such.”
“Anything else should be dismissed as hearsay,” continued our source.
Mhofeti • pasizw@yahoo.co.uk Subject: MDC's model of democracy Mon, 13 Oct 2008 12:17:23 • Commenting on the success of Obama's tour of a few countries which was reported as a world tour, USA political analysts didn't read too much into it. In fact some believed it was counterproductive as american voters are swayed by their domestic issues more than one's popularity internationally. On that basis I think the MDC structure is too externally focused almost to the point of keeping the international community more informed than the electorate. How many times have you heard headlines like Biti told Reuters news agency this, Chamisa told SW radio that, Tsvangirai told a press conference etc. Personally I would rather let those reporters do their jobs of following them as they address rallies in their constituencies. Having said that we should not take the patience of the voters who think MDC is synonymous with the restoration of Zimbabwe to what it was if not more for granted.
Wise Man • N/A Subject: Conflicting Wed, 08 Oct 2008 13:05:58 • I may be wrong of course. But I know that the reported paper (Herald) said the talks would be held on Monday. And on Tuesday morning, we all read the statement you are referring to above. The meeting later took place on Tuesday, after the statement was made. Are you sure that the statemenrs are conflicting?
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