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Zimbabweans 'start crisis talks' | Zimbabweans 'start crisis talks' |
(20 minutes later) | |
Representatives of Zimbabwe's ruling and opposition parties have begun power-sharing talks in South Africa, officials there have said. | Representatives of Zimbabwe's ruling and opposition parties have begun power-sharing talks in South Africa, officials there have said. |
The talks began after the arrival of the four main negotiators from Zimbabwe's capital, Harare. | The talks began after the arrival of the four main negotiators from Zimbabwe's capital, Harare. |
President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai signed a deal agreeing to the negotiations on Monday. | President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai signed a deal agreeing to the negotiations on Monday. |
The talks, intended to end a crisis following disputed presidential polls, are slated to last two weeks. | The talks, intended to end a crisis following disputed presidential polls, are slated to last two weeks. |
Progress will have to be swift for the talks to be concluded within that timeframe, the BBC's Jonah Fisher reports from Johannesburg. | Progress will have to be swift for the talks to be concluded within that timeframe, the BBC's Jonah Fisher reports from Johannesburg. |
The structure and composition of a new government is yet to be decided, as is the future of Mr Mugabe, our correspondent adds. | The structure and composition of a new government is yet to be decided, as is the future of Mr Mugabe, our correspondent adds. |
Rare meeting | Rare meeting |
President Mugabe signed a memorandum of understanding with Mr Tsvangirai on Monday, paving the way for the talks. | President Mugabe signed a memorandum of understanding with Mr Tsvangirai on Monday, paving the way for the talks. |
It was their first meeting in a decade. | It was their first meeting in a decade. |
Both men claim to have won this year's elections. | Both men claim to have won this year's elections. |
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 Full text of the Memorandum of Understanding[39KB] href="/1/hi/world/africa/7519480.stm">Voters' views class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7293810.stm">Q&A: Zimbabwe crisis | |
Mr Tsvangirai, leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), won the first round in March, but official results gave him less than the 50% required for outright victory. | Mr Tsvangirai, leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), won the first round in March, but official results gave him less than the 50% required for outright victory. |
Mr Mugabe then claimed victory in the second round after Mr Tsvangirai pulled out, complaining of a campaign of violence against his supporters. | Mr Mugabe then claimed victory in the second round after Mr Tsvangirai pulled out, complaining of a campaign of violence against his supporters. |
The start of the talks on Thursday was confirmed by the office of South African President Thabo Mbeki, who has been leading mediation over Zimbabwe. | The start of the talks on Thursday was confirmed by the office of South African President Thabo Mbeki, who has been leading mediation over Zimbabwe. |
The deal bans parties from talking to the media and there had been conflicting reports about when negotiations would start. | The deal bans parties from talking to the media and there had been conflicting reports about when negotiations would start. |
Zimbabwe's state-owned Herald newspaper reported that the negotiators from Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF party and the MDC travelled to South Africa on the same flight on Wednesday. | Zimbabwe's state-owned Herald newspaper reported that the negotiators from Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF party and the MDC travelled to South Africa on the same flight on Wednesday. |
Zanu-PF is represented by Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa and Public Services Minister Nicholas Goche, while the MDC has sent Secretary General Tendai Biti and Deputy Treasurer Elton Mangoma. | Zanu-PF is represented by Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa and Public Services Minister Nicholas Goche, while the MDC has sent Secretary General Tendai Biti and Deputy Treasurer Elton Mangoma. |
A Zanu-PF official told the Herald that the party's politburo had been briefed on the negotiations at a meeting on Wednesday. | A Zanu-PF official told the Herald that the party's politburo had been briefed on the negotiations at a meeting on Wednesday. |
"We gave Comrade Chinamasa and Comrade Goche the green light for them to go ahead with the negotiations within the parameters signed by the principals," said Zanu-PF deputy secretary for information and publicity Ephraim Masawi. | "We gave Comrade Chinamasa and Comrade Goche the green light for them to go ahead with the negotiations within the parameters signed by the principals," said Zanu-PF deputy secretary for information and publicity Ephraim Masawi. |
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. |