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Mbeki 'sure' of Zimbabwe progress Mbeki 'sure' of Zimbabwe progress
(about 3 hours later)
South Africa's ex-President Thabo Mbeki is confident he will be able to salvage Zimbabwe's power-sharing deal in talks in Harare, his spokesman says.South Africa's ex-President Thabo Mbeki is confident he will be able to salvage Zimbabwe's power-sharing deal in talks in Harare, his spokesman says.
"We are convinced that we should be able in the end, no matter how long it takes, to reach a conclusion," he said."We are convinced that we should be able in the end, no matter how long it takes, to reach a conclusion," he said.
Negotiations stalled after President Robert Mugabe allocated key ministries to his Zanu-PF party at the weekend.Negotiations stalled after President Robert Mugabe allocated key ministries to his Zanu-PF party at the weekend.
Mr Mbeki is to hold talks in the morning, before parliament meets for the first time since MPs were sworn in. Mr Mbeki is holding talks before parliament meets for the first time since MPs were sworn in.
Parliament, where the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) now has a majority, is expected to debate a constitutional amendment to allow MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai to become prime minster, a key point of the agreement.Parliament, where the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) now has a majority, is expected to debate a constitutional amendment to allow MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai to become prime minster, a key point of the agreement.
As far as we are concerned, the only contention is the Ministry of Finance Patrick ChinamasaZanu-PF negotiator Crunch time for Mbeki's legacyHarare diary: Daydreaming overSend us your commentsAs far as we are concerned, the only contention is the Ministry of Finance Patrick ChinamasaZanu-PF negotiator Crunch time for Mbeki's legacyHarare diary: Daydreaming overSend us your comments
But Mr Tsvangirai has threatened to pull out of the deal after a government list published on Saturday gave the main ministries, including defence, home, foreign affairs, and justice, to Zanu-PF.But Mr Tsvangirai has threatened to pull out of the deal after a government list published on Saturday gave the main ministries, including defence, home, foreign affairs, and justice, to Zanu-PF.
He wants all cabinet positions to be revisited in discussions with Mr Mbeki, who brokered the agreement signed last month, but Zanu-PF says only one ministry - finance - is up for discussion.He wants all cabinet positions to be revisited in discussions with Mr Mbeki, who brokered the agreement signed last month, but Zanu-PF says only one ministry - finance - is up for discussion.
"As far as we are concerned, the only contention is the Ministry of Finance," Zanu-PF negotiator Patrick Chinamasa told the state-run Herald newspaper."As far as we are concerned, the only contention is the Ministry of Finance," Zanu-PF negotiator Patrick Chinamasa told the state-run Herald newspaper.
According to the deal - which allocates 14 ministries to Zanu-PF, 13 to Mr Tsvangirai's MDC and three to a smaller MDC faction - only Zanu-PF has a ministerial seat vacant.According to the deal - which allocates 14 ministries to Zanu-PF, 13 to Mr Tsvangirai's MDC and three to a smaller MDC faction - only Zanu-PF has a ministerial seat vacant.
RelaxedRelaxed
Mr Mbeki arrived in the Zimbabwean capital, Harare, on Monday night.Mr Mbeki arrived in the Zimbabwean capital, Harare, on Monday night.
It is his first intervention in Zimbabwe since he was forced to step down as South African president by his party, the African National Congress (ANC), just days after brokering the agreement.It is his first intervention in Zimbabwe since he was forced to step down as South African president by his party, the African National Congress (ANC), just days after brokering the agreement.
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programmeFROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme
Correspondents say it is not clear if he will still wield the same clout in negotiations.Correspondents say it is not clear if he will still wield the same clout in negotiations.
Local journalist Brian Hungwe says he looked at ease as he arrived in Harare, smiling and waving to people.Local journalist Brian Hungwe says he looked at ease as he arrived in Harare, smiling and waving to people.
But political analysts say Mr Mbeki has little room to manoeuvre given the stance of both parties.But political analysts say Mr Mbeki has little room to manoeuvre given the stance of both parties.
Richard Dowden, director of the UK's Royal African Society, says Mr Mugabe has "made a mockery of the agreement".Richard Dowden, director of the UK's Royal African Society, says Mr Mugabe has "made a mockery of the agreement".
He say the MDC will have to go back to "trench warfare" and mount a diplomatic offensive within Africa.He say the MDC will have to go back to "trench warfare" and mount a diplomatic offensive within Africa.
"I think what the MDC will do is appeal directly to [ANC leader Jacob] Zuma where they know they have someone more sympathetic to them than Mbeki," Mr Dowden told the BBC's Today programme."I think what the MDC will do is appeal directly to [ANC leader Jacob] Zuma where they know they have someone more sympathetic to them than Mbeki," Mr Dowden told the BBC's Today programme.
"[The South African government] might begin to use the sort of instruments people have been urging Mbeki to use for years - just simple public disapproval of what Mugabe is doing might have an affect.""[The South African government] might begin to use the sort of instruments people have been urging Mbeki to use for years - just simple public disapproval of what Mugabe is doing might have an affect."
'Faith''Faith'
Some people in the capital, frustrated by the deadlock and the crippling economic crisis, have been asking why Mr Mbeki allowed a deal to be signed without the cabinet post being agreed, Brian Hungwe says.Some people in the capital, frustrated by the deadlock and the crippling economic crisis, have been asking why Mr Mbeki allowed a deal to be signed without the cabinet post being agreed, Brian Hungwe says.
MINISTRY DIVISION Zanu-PF: 14 ministries including: DefenceForeign affairs JusticeLocal governmentMedia Main MDC: 13 ministries including: Constitutional and parliamentary affairsEconomic planning and investment promotionLabourSportArts and cultureScience and technology development MDC (Mutambara): three including: EducationIndustry and commerce Source: Government gazetteMINISTRY DIVISION Zanu-PF: 14 ministries including: DefenceForeign affairs JusticeLocal governmentMedia Main MDC: 13 ministries including: Constitutional and parliamentary affairsEconomic planning and investment promotionLabourSportArts and cultureScience and technology development MDC (Mutambara): three including: EducationIndustry and commerce Source: Government gazette
"Nobody held a gun on the head of anybody to say: 'Thou shalt sign or else…'," said Mr Mbeki's spokesman, Mukoni Ratshitanga."Nobody held a gun on the head of anybody to say: 'Thou shalt sign or else…'," said Mr Mbeki's spokesman, Mukoni Ratshitanga.
"It's the political parties in Zimbabwe that had decided they had reached an agreement.""It's the political parties in Zimbabwe that had decided they had reached an agreement."
On Sunday, Mr Tsvangirai said that if Zanu-PF wanted the defence ministry, the MDC must have home affairs, which controls the police.On Sunday, Mr Tsvangirai said that if Zanu-PF wanted the defence ministry, the MDC must have home affairs, which controls the police.
"We are still placing our faith in the efforts of the mediator, and that Zanu-PF has to be persuaded that it has to share and not grab power," MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa said, Reuters news agency reports."We are still placing our faith in the efforts of the mediator, and that Zanu-PF has to be persuaded that it has to share and not grab power," MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa said, Reuters news agency reports.
Before Mr Mbeki's arrival, Mr Mugabe swore in two vice-presidents.Before Mr Mbeki's arrival, Mr Mugabe swore in two vice-presidents.
The European Union condemned Mr Mugabe's "unilateral decision" to form a new government and ministers hinted that they could extend sanctions against Mr Mugabe and his close allies.The European Union condemned Mr Mugabe's "unilateral decision" to form a new government and ministers hinted that they could extend sanctions against Mr Mugabe and his close allies.
On Thursday, it was announced that Zimbabwe's annual inflation rate had soared to 231,000,000% - by far the highest in the world.On Thursday, it was announced that Zimbabwe's annual inflation rate had soared to 231,000,000% - by far the highest in the world.
The UN says two million people are in need of food aid, and that the figure will rise to 5.1 million - or 45% of the population - by early 2009.The UN says two million people are in need of food aid, and that the figure will rise to 5.1 million - or 45% of the population - by early 2009.