Zimbabwe voters' views

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Zimbabweans react to an historic agreement to hold talks between President Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai.

The deal says power-sharing talks between the two sides should be completed within two weeks.

Talks could lead to a government of national unity. Zimbabwe has experienced extreme violence since the disputed presidential elections and has an economy that is spiralling out of control.

The BBC revisits Zimbabweans who voted in the elections, to find out what they think about the prospects of talks.

RichardOperating superintendent, 53Hwange<a class="bodl" href="#Richard">"Quiet diplomacy worked"</a>

SandraAccountant, 23Bulawayo<a class="bodl" href="#Sandra">"Mugabe has a history of swallowing political parties"</a>

FaraiStudent, 24Harare<a class="bodl" href="#Farai">"People have suffered enough"</a>

CleopasStudent, 24Harare<a class="bodl" href="#Cleopas">"Zanu-PF have created a lot of mess"</a>

<a name="Richard"></a> RICHARD, HWANGE

The Zimbabwean people wanted the two sides to sit down and talk.

You can't ignore the fact that Morgan Tsvangirai won the first round but at the same time Robert Mugabe is still very popular.

We are very happy that they talked and shook hands for the first time in a long time.

I am optimistic that it will lead to a solution.

ZIMBABWE TALKS What MDC wants: Mugabe to step down"Transitional authority" to organise new elections What Zanu-PF wants: Mugabe to be accepted as presidentMDC to take a few minor ministriesInternational community to drop sanctions and help kick-start economy

We are not so concerned with who will be our leader. We are more concerned with bread and butter issues - like food and jobs.

I was not surprised that the two men came together. The general feeling was that there would not be the sort of violence that there was in Kenya.

The UK, USA and EU should have been encouraging these talks instead of slapping sanctions on us. Tsvangirai and Mugabe drive around in posh cars, so they are not the ones who are affected by sanctions anyway.

It has been agreed that talks will finish in two weeks time but I think that is too short.

There are likely to be protracted discussions. For instance Zanu-PF might not agree to Morgan Tsvangirai becoming president and only allow him to be prime minister.

The point is we don't care if he becomes prime minister or vice president. What we want is an end to fighting and sanctions.

It is time Tsvangirai stopped letting himself be pushed around by the UK and USA and became his own man.

Thabo Mbeki performed a very important role, despite being criticised by the West.

Tsvangirai didn't like Mbeki because Tsvangirai is opposed to liberation movements.

Tsvangirai should learn to respect Mbeki. When he gets what he wants he will realise that Mbeki played a major role in getting him there.

Quiet diplomacy really worked. I admire Mbeki. I would like to take Bush away and replace him with Mbeki.

If you blindfolded me I would say that Thabo Mbeki is a better man than Bush.

As long as western countries don't get what they want, they will say elections are not free and fair. That is what they said about our elections.

It is like the EU asking Ireland to vote again over the Lisbon treaty.

The world doesn't like Mugabe because of his policies. He gives us land and a share of the mines and the West doesn't like that.

If Tsvangirai wants to rule he needs to show more respect towards the military.

Whoever rules should be tough and not run away as he did.

I am not worried about Mugabe facing any war crimes charges. We need to look to the future and forget about the past.

My uncle was shot by a white man who used him for target practice! But I have put that behind me.

<a name="Sandra"></a> SANDRA, BULAWAYO

I guess Morgan Tsvangirai either had to choose to wait for the next election and watch multitudes suffering or talk to Mugabe, hoping his involvement would improve the lives of Zimbabweans.

I personally think that any form of governing with Mugabe and his cronies, is a vague idea.

I think that Morgan Tsvangirai was under pressure from the current political situation to compromise and deal with Mugabe.

I really doubt it's the best possible solution although to be honest I don't have a better suggestion myself.

It might lead to a government of national unity, but if the opposition does not tread carefully, they should watch out because Mugabe has a history of swallowing political parties which work right under him.

Any government with Mugabe in charge will not improve anything as far as the economy is concerned.

There will not be any investor confidence like before and the opposition will find it difficult to operate under Mugabe's rule.

So any change from the prevailing situation is very unlikely.

Certainly, Mugabe wants to be the president - there is no doubt about that.

He has repeatedly echoed that he will either leave the seat only by God's will or until he has made sure the West have no stake in his country totally. And from our bitter experience, he is a man of his words.

Thabo Mbeki has tried his best, at the same time without compromising his delicate relationship with Mugabe. He has not been the best, but he has been the best we have been provided with.

<a name="Farai"></a> FARAI, HARARE

It is a positive step in the right direction. It is an opportunity to negotiate and settle our differences.

The people have suffered enough.

There has been a complete breakdown of the economy and basic services.

The banking sector is no longer relevant. At the moment you can only take out Z$ 100bn from the bank and that will not even buy you a loaf of bread. It's ridiculous.

I am a student and here on my campus there are no cleaners, everything is very dirty, the toilets are filthy and there is a shortage of water.

People are no longer doing any work.

If the violence ceases then these talks will be seen as positive but I don't trust Zanu-PF. The attitude of the parties will determine whether the talks are successful.

Failure is not an option. This is now a derelict country.

South African president Thabo Mbeki has been acting as mediator

I hope we can move forward and find a lasting solution. Everyone will try to make this work.

It was a very historic moment when the two men shook hands.

Thabo Mbeki has done well but I think it took him too long.

It is definitely safer now than it was before. People have begun wearing Morgan Tsvangirai T-shirts again.

I was very scared but now I feel a lot safer.

I think people will be patient and very supportive of this initiative.

I think if the western and local media can really try to support this initiative it will really help. The media has a very important role in trying to get people to believe in the process.

It is necessary that people know what is going on and that their issues are being addressed.

<a name="Cleopas"></a> CLEOPAS,MARONDERA

A lot of people have been killed, beaten and are still suffering.

Morgan Tsvangirai had no choice other than to talk to Mugabe.

I think there will be a lot of disagreements - the two parties have completely different policies, so I don't think they will tarry.

The talks might end the violence but they will end in deadlock unless they give Tsvangirai some position of power.

We are hearing that he wants to become prime minister and then he will be able to choose a cabinet and make policy decisions. If so then that will be OK.

But I don't think Mugabe will let that happen. He is a very tricky man and he is very clever.

If you recall there was a unity government agreement between Mugabe and Zapu when he promised to let Joshua Nkomo be the leader in five years time but it never happened.

I am afraid that if Morgan Tsvangirai does not take care, security agents might come and kill him - then they would just say that he died of a heart attack or something.

Mugabe will never let go because he fears being imprisoned. His close allies are also worried. The army would have to change its top structures so it will be obstructive. It did not want these talks. There are some senior figures who have been benefiting and they don't want to lose their privileges.

I think the agreement came about because of pressure from Sadc and Botswana which condemned Zimbabwe.

If God takes Mugabe then let him take him quickly because people are really suffering.

People are relieved about the prospect for talks because the violence will stop but they are also waiting for an outcome.

If Robert Mugabe continues to rule with an iron fist the people will not be happy.

They found six bodies in the river here at Igava near Marondera yesterday so it shows that a lot of people are still being killed.

Zanu-PF has created a lot of mess.

We are hoping that all this will come to an end.

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<i>The readers' panel has been selected from as wide a cross-section as possible and may not be representative of wider public opinion.</i>