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Zimbabwe leaders agree talks pact Zimbabwe leaders agree talks pact
(about 1 hour 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.
The pair - who were filmed shaking hands at their meeting in the capital Harare - have been locked in a dispute over this year's presidential polls. The pair - who were filmed shaking hands at their meeting in the capital, Harare - have been locked in a dispute over this year's presidential polls.
It was their first meeting in a decade. Mr Tsvangirai described the pact as a "first tentative step".It was their first meeting in a decade. Mr Tsvangirai described the pact as a "first tentative step".
South African President Thabo Mbeki helped broker the agreement.South African President Thabo Mbeki helped broker the agreement.
The BBC's Jonah Fisher, in Johannesburg, says the pact envisages a final deal being signed within two weeks.The BBC's Jonah Fisher, in Johannesburg, says the pact envisages a final deal being signed within two weeks.
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 Morgan TsvangiraiWe want to make sure that every Zimbabwean feels safe, we want to share a common prosperity for everyone and we want a better Zimbabwe Morgan Tsvangirai
MDC leader Zimbabwe opposition MPs in hidingZimbabwe issues Z$100bn noteMDC leader Zimbabwe opposition MPs in hidingZimbabwe issues Z$100bn note
But, he adds, it is difficult to see such quick progress in resolving the issues at stake - and the document does not address the central issue of Mr Mugabe's future or go into the details of a possible power-sharing arrangement.But, he adds, it is difficult to see such quick progress in resolving the issues at stake - and the document does not address the central issue of Mr Mugabe's future or go into the details of a possible power-sharing arrangement.
Mr Mugabe insists that he must be recognised as Zimbabwe's president - a position rejected by the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).Mr Mugabe insists that he must be recognised as Zimbabwe's president - a position rejected by the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).
Mr Tsvangirai, the MDC's leader, garnered more votes in the initial presidential poll in March, but election officials said there was no outright winner and called for a run-off.Mr Tsvangirai, the MDC's leader, garnered more votes in the initial presidential poll in March, 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
Mr Tsvangirai said that in signing the deal - an occasion he described as historic - he and Mr Mugabe were committing themselves to the "first tentative step towards searching for a solution to a country that is in crisis".Mr Tsvangirai said that in signing the deal - an occasion he described as historic - he and Mr Mugabe were committing themselves to the "first tentative step towards searching for a solution to a country that is in crisis".
Morgan Tsvangirai speaks after signing the deal with Mr MugabeMorgan Tsvangirai speaks after signing the deal with Mr Mugabe
He went on: "We are committed to ensure that the process of negotiation becomes successful.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.""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 Tsvangirai acknowledged that many "bitter words" had been exchanged between the two sides but said they all must exercise tolerance and work together if they wanted progress for Zimbabwe. Mr Tsvangirai acknowledged that many "bitter words" had been exchanged between the two sides but said they all must exercise tolerance and work together if they wanted progress.
Mr Mugabe said the two sides had agreed on Sunday on the need for the country's constitution to be amended on various points.Mr Mugabe said the two sides had agreed on Sunday on the need for the country's constitution to be amended on various points.
"We sit here in order for us to chart a new way, a new way of political interaction," he said."We sit here in order for us to chart a new way, a new way of political interaction," he said.
He also praised South Africa's President Mbeki for his mediation efforts, adding: "We shall be doing this as Zimbabweans, entirely as Zimbabweans with the help of South Africa." He also praised Mr Mbeki for his mediation efforts, adding: "We shall be doing this as Zimbabweans, entirely as Zimbabweans with the help of South Africa."
Mr Mbeki said: "All the Zimbabwean parties recognise the urgency of the matters they are discussing and all are committed to trying to complete this process as quickly as possible."
The BBC's southern Africa correspondent Peter Biles, in Johannesburg, says Mr Mugabe seemed to be in conciliatory - and sometimes good-humoured - mood as he made the unprecedented move of appearing with his arch-rival in front of the media.
Mr Mugabe said the agreement was a serious matter for his Zanu-PF party, and that he hoped it reflected sincerity.
It was a breakthrough, our correspondent says, even if it was only a first step.
Both sides have had to swallow some pride and make some concessions to reach this stage, he adds, once it became clear that the solution to Zimbabwe's political crisis would not come in a winner-takes-all scenario.
New electionsNew elections
The MDC wants some kind of "transitional authority" to organise new, internationally-monitored elections. The opposition party has previously accused Mr Mbeki of being biased in favour of Mr Mugabe.
Robert Mugabe speaks about signing the agreementRobert Mugabe speaks about signing the agreement
The opposition party has previously accused Mr Mbeki of being biased in favour of Mr Mugabe, and Mr Tsvangirai had asked for another envoy to replace him. 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, analysts say.
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, our correspondent says.
Senior diplomats from the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) are also involved.Senior diplomats from the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) are also involved.
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 dialogue would remain conditional on a complete cessation of violence and the release of all political prisoners.
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 wants some kind of "transitional authority" to organise new, internationally-monitored elections.
The party 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.
The deal between Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai 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 between Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai comes on the day that a new banknote was 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%.