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Zimbabwe leaders 'to sign deal' | Zimbabwe leaders 'to sign deal' |
(30 minutes later) | |
Zimbabwe's ruling party and opposition are due to sign a deal outlining a framework for talks on the country's political crisis, both sides say. | Zimbabwe's ruling party and opposition are due to sign a deal outlining a framework for talks on the country's political crisis, both sides say. |
President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai are both at the hotel where they are due to meet for the first time in a decade. | |
South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki is also in Harare to witness the deal, which should clear the way for talks. | |
The two sides are locked in a dispute over presidential elections. | The two sides are locked in a dispute over presidential elections. |
The deal comes on the day that a new banknote is issued, for 100bn Zimbabwe dollars - the latest sign of the country's economic meltdown. | The deal comes on the day that a new banknote is issued, for 100bn Zimbabwe dollars - the latest sign of the country's economic meltdown. |
This is not quite enough to buy a loaf of bread and is worth less than US$1. The official inflation rate is 2.2m%. | This is not quite enough to buy a loaf of bread and is worth less than US$1. The official inflation rate is 2.2m%. |
We want a government that creates a platform for us to democratise our society, in order for us to have a genuinely free and fair election George Sibotshiwe, MDC Zimbabwe opposition MPs in hidingZimbabwe issues Z$100bn note | We want a government that creates a platform for us to democratise our society, in order for us to have a genuinely free and fair election George Sibotshiwe, MDC Zimbabwe opposition MPs in hidingZimbabwe issues Z$100bn note |
The political agreement was due to be signed last week but Mr Tsvangirai pulled out. | The political agreement was due to be signed last week but Mr Tsvangirai pulled out. |
Both sides claim to have won the presidential elections. | Both sides claim to have won the presidential elections. |
Mr Tsvangirai garnered more votes in the initial presidential poll - but election officials said there was no outright winner and called for a run-off. | Mr Tsvangirai garnered more votes in the initial presidential poll - but election officials said there was no outright winner and called for a run-off. |
Mr Mugabe won the run-off - but he was the only candidate after Mr Tsvangirai withdrew, accusing the government of mounting a campaign of violence against his supporters. | Mr Mugabe won the run-off - but he was the only candidate after Mr Tsvangirai withdrew, accusing the government of mounting a campaign of violence against his supporters. |
First step | First step |
"The signing will take place this afternoon," Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa told the AFP news agency. | "The signing will take place this afternoon," Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa told the AFP news agency. |
Opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) officials also say they expect the agreement to be signed on Monday. | Opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) officials also say they expect the agreement to be signed on Monday. |
PRECONDITIONS FOR TALKS MDC: End to political violenceRelease of supportersResumption of aidSwearing in of MPs Zanu-PF: Mugabe recognised as president | PRECONDITIONS FOR TALKS MDC: End to political violenceRelease of supportersResumption of aidSwearing in of MPs Zanu-PF: Mugabe recognised as president |
But the BBC's Jonah Fisher, in Johannesburg, says the opposition insists that the signing ceremony is not held at State House and should be low-key. It is due to be held in a five-star Harare hotel. | But the BBC's Jonah Fisher, in Johannesburg, says the opposition insists that the signing ceremony is not held at State House and should be low-key. It is due to be held in a five-star Harare hotel. |
Our correspondent also notes that the five-page agreement to be signed does not go into the details of a possible power-sharing arrangement, which some see as the only way out of Zimbabwe's political and economic crisis - it is merely the starting point for substantive talks. | Our correspondent also notes that the five-page agreement to be signed does not go into the details of a possible power-sharing arrangement, which some see as the only way out of Zimbabwe's political and economic crisis - it is merely the starting point for substantive talks. |
The document does not mention the central issue of Mr Mugabe's future. | The document does not mention the central issue of Mr Mugabe's future. |
Mr Mugabe insists that he must be recognised as Zimbabwe's president - a position rejected by the MDC, which accuses him of using violence to ensure that he won the run-off. | Mr Mugabe insists that he must be recognised as Zimbabwe's president - a position rejected by the MDC, which accuses him of using violence to ensure that he won the run-off. |
The MDC wants some kind of "transitional authority" to organise new, internationally-monitored elections. | The MDC wants some kind of "transitional authority" to organise new, internationally-monitored elections. |
Our correspondent says the deal is being seen as an important step forward, but only the first step of a difficult process. | Our correspondent says the deal is being seen as an important step forward, but only the first step of a difficult process. |
New elections | New elections |
He says that the fact that the African Union (AU) and the United Nations joined the South African mediation efforts was crucial in persuading the MDC to agree to talk. | He says that the fact that the African Union (AU) and the United Nations joined the South African mediation efforts was crucial in persuading the MDC to agree to talk. |
Several senior African diplomats have joined the Zimbabwe mediation effort | Several senior African diplomats have joined the Zimbabwe mediation effort |
The MDC accuses the South African president of being biased in favour of Mr Mugabe, and Mr Tsvangirai had asked for another envoy to replace him. | The MDC accuses the South African president of being biased in favour of Mr Mugabe, and Mr Tsvangirai had asked for another envoy to replace him. |
On Friday, it was announced that a group of senior diplomats, drawn from the UN, AU and the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) would help Mr Mbeki. | On Friday, it was announced that a group of senior diplomats, drawn from the UN, AU and the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) would help Mr Mbeki. |
One of those was the UN's envoy to Zimbabwe, Haile Menkerios, who said he believed the two men had agreed a draft memorandum of understanding setting out the terms under which they could enter direct negotiations. | |
But he said both men would have to sign the document to "clear the way" for talks. | But he said both men would have to sign the document to "clear the way" for talks. |
The MDC still has several conditions to be met before starting substantive talks with Mr Mugabe. | The MDC still has several conditions to be met before starting substantive talks with Mr Mugabe. |
Party spokesman George Sibotshiwe told the BBC that future talks would remain conditional on a complete cessation of violence and the release of all political prisoners. | Party spokesman George Sibotshiwe told the BBC that future talks would remain conditional on a complete cessation of violence and the release of all political prisoners. |
"We want a government that creates a platform for us to democratise our society, in order for us to have a genuinely free and fair election," he said. | "We want a government that creates a platform for us to democratise our society, in order for us to have a genuinely free and fair election," he said. |
The MDC says at least 120 of its supporters have been killed, about 5,000 abducted and 200,000 forced from their homes since the first round of the elections, in a campaign of violence by pro-Mugabe militias and the army. | The MDC says at least 120 of its supporters have been killed, about 5,000 abducted and 200,000 forced from their homes since the first round of the elections, in a campaign of violence by pro-Mugabe militias and the army. |
Cabinet ministers and military officials have denied the charges. | Cabinet ministers and military officials have denied the charges. |