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Zimbabwe leaders agree talks pact Zimbabwe leaders agree talks pact
(20 minutes later)
President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai have signed a deal outlining a framework for talks on Zimbabwe's political crisis.President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai have signed a deal outlining a framework for talks on Zimbabwe's political crisis.
It was the first meeting in a decade between bitter opponents Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai.It was the first meeting in a decade between bitter opponents Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai.
They have been locked in a dispute over presidential elections earlier this year that both claim to have won. They have been locked in a dispute over presidential elections this year that both claim to have won.
South African President Thabo Mbeki was there to witness the signing of the deal at a hotel in the capital Harare.South African President Thabo Mbeki was there to witness the signing of the deal at a hotel in the capital Harare.
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 noteWe 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. Mr Tsvangirai, leader of the Opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), 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 stepFirst step
Opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and government officials had said they expected the agreement to be signed on Monday. Mr Tsvangirai said that in signing the deal, he and Mr Mugabe were committing themselves to the "first tentative step towards searching for a solution to a county that is in crisis".
PRECONDITIONS FOR TALKS MDC: End to political violenceRelease of supportersResumption of aidSwearing in of MPs Zanu-PF: Mugabe recognised as presidentPRECONDITIONS FOR TALKS MDC: End to political violenceRelease of supportersResumption of aidSwearing in of MPs Zanu-PF: Mugabe recognised as president
He went on: "We are committed to ensure that the process of negotiation becomes successful. We want to make sure that every Zimbabwean feels safe, we want to share a common prosperity for everyone and we want a better Zimbabwe."
Mr Mugabe said the two sides had agreed on Sunday on the need for the country's constitution to be amended.
The BBC's Jonah Fisher, in Johannesburg, says the opposition insisted that the signing ceremony was not held at State House and should be low-key. It was held in a five-star Harare hotel.The BBC's Jonah Fisher, in Johannesburg, says the opposition insisted that the signing ceremony was not held at State House and should be low-key. It was held in a five-star Harare hotel.
Our correspondent also notes that the five-page agreement to be signed did 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 did 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 electionsNew 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 effortSeveral 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.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.
He said signing the document would "clear the way" for talks.He said signing the document would "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.