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Tsvangirai 'cannot attend talks' Tsvangirai 'cannot attend talks'
(9 minutes later)
Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai cannot attend regional talks on the crisis because of delays with his travel documents, officials say.Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai cannot attend regional talks on the crisis because of delays with his travel documents, officials say.
The authorities did not give him a passport, but an emergency travel document, and he did not have time to get a visa, one of his aides said. The authorities did not give him a passport but an emergency travel document, and he did not have time to get a visa, one of his aides said.
The summit in Swaziland was called after the failure of four days of talks last week on allocating cabinet posts.The summit in Swaziland was called after the failure of four days of talks last week on allocating cabinet posts.
Mr Tsvangirai and President Robert Mugabe have agreed to share power.Mr Tsvangirai and President Robert Mugabe have agreed to share power.
But Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change has accused Mr Mugabe of trying to grab power, by allocating all the key ministerial positions to his Zanu-PF party. But Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has accused Mr Mugabe of trying to grab power, by allocating all the key ministerial positions to his Zanu-PF party.
I wouldn't say there is a deadlock... The matters are capable of solution quite easily Thabo MbekiFormer South African President Zimbabwe deal: Key pointsCrunch time for Mbeki's legacyHave Your SayDiagram of power-sharing deal Monday's meeting is being hosted by the ruler of Swaziland, King Mswati. With the leaders of Angola and Mozambique, he forms the security panel of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). I wouldn't say there is a deadlock... The matters are capable of solution quite easily Thabo MbekiFormer South African President Zimbabwe deal: Key pointsCrunch time for Mbeki's legacyHave Your SayDiagram of power-sharing deal
MDC Secretary General Tendai Biti said the difficulties Mr Tsvangirai has had getting travel documents made it clear that Mr Mugabe was not ready to share power, the Associated Press news agency reports.
The MDC leader has not had a normal passport for more than a year, the AFP news agency says.
He was reportedly given an emergency document only valid for a single trip to Swaziland. However the only way of getting from Zimbabwe to Swaziland is via South Africa.
Monday's meeting is being hosted by King Mswati of Swaziland. He is a member of the security panel of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), along with the leaders of Angola and Mozambique.
On Sunday, Mr Tsvangirai said the deal was sound but there was "a problem of trust" between himself and Mr Mugabe.On Sunday, Mr Tsvangirai said the deal was sound but there was "a problem of trust" between himself and Mr Mugabe.
President Mugabe's Zanu-PF party said Zimbabwe would not bow to pressure. But Zanu-PF's chief negotiator Patrick Chinamasa warned: "They [SADC] can't impose anything on us especially on such a small matter as the allocation of ministries."
They will be hearing a report from the Sadc's mediator on Zimbabwe, Thabo Mbeki.
But Zanu-PF's chief negotiator Patrick Chinamasa warned: "They can't impose anything on us especially on such a small matter as the allocation of ministries."
Difficult negotiationsDifficult negotiations
Speaking at a rally of his Movement for Democratic Change on Sunday in Masvingo, Mr Tsvangirai said: "This time we won't fail." Mr Tsvangirai described last week's talks in Harare as "a one-man monologue" by Mr Mugabe.
Robert Mugabe said his allies should hold the key posts in the cabinet He had earlier described last week's talks in Harare as "a dialogue of the deaf". Robert Mugabe said his allies should hold the key posts in the cabinet
"It was one-man monologue. Mugabe does not negotiate. He just says 'No'," the news agency AFP reported.
The efforts to reach a deal were mediated by former South African President Thabo Mbeki.The efforts to reach a deal were mediated by former South African President Thabo Mbeki.
Mr Mbeki oversaw the signing of the power-sharing framework deal a month ago, but has since stepped down from office in South Africa and is now attempting to construct Zimbabwe's new government as a private citizen.Mr Mbeki oversaw the signing of the power-sharing framework deal a month ago, but has since stepped down from office in South Africa and is now attempting to construct Zimbabwe's new government as a private citizen.
Ministry conflicts The BBC's Jonah Fisher, following events from South Africa, says the power-sharing deal now teeters on the brink of collapse.
The BBC's Jonah Fisher, following events from South Africa, says the power-sharing deal now teeters on the brink of total collapse.
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 gazette
President Mugabe has allocated the main ministries, including defence, home, foreign affairs, and justice, to Zanu-PF.President Mugabe has allocated the main ministries, including defence, home, foreign affairs, and justice, to Zanu-PF.
Mr Tsvangirai later told Mr Mbeki that 10 cabinet positions needed to be revisited at the negotiations, officials said.Mr Tsvangirai later told Mr Mbeki that 10 cabinet positions needed to be revisited at the negotiations, officials said.
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 gazette
As well as finance, the MDC also insisted it should have home affairs - and control of the police - if Zanu-PF had defence.As well as finance, the MDC also insisted it should have home affairs - and control of the police - if Zanu-PF had defence.
They say they need home affairs to give them a stake in the country's security forces and that power sharing should mean them getting a fair share of key cabinet positions, our correspondent says.They say they need home affairs to give them a stake in the country's security forces and that power sharing should mean them getting a fair share of key cabinet positions, our correspondent says.
The MDC accused the security services of taking part in violent attacks on its supporters before June's presidential run-off election.The MDC accused the security services of taking part in violent attacks on its supporters before June's presidential run-off election.
Yet it was the MDC's insistence on taking the home affairs portfolio that has proved the biggest sticking point, a senior aide to Mr Mugabe told The Herald newspaper.Yet it was the MDC's insistence on taking the home affairs portfolio that has proved the biggest sticking point, a senior aide to Mr Mugabe told The Herald newspaper.
Reports on Friday suggested that Mr Mugabe might have agreed to let the MDC take the key post of finance minister, but that he would not give it home affairs.Reports on Friday suggested that Mr Mugabe might have agreed to let the MDC take the key post of finance minister, but that he would not give it home affairs.
Finance is one of the most crucial posts, as Zimbabweans hope the power-sharing deal will lead to action to tackle the economic crisis.Finance is one of the most crucial posts, as Zimbabweans hope the power-sharing deal will lead to action to tackle the economic crisis.
Donors have promised to help finance a recovery plan but they are unlikely to release funds if a Zanu-PF minister is in charge.Donors have promised to help finance a recovery plan but they are unlikely to release funds if a Zanu-PF minister is in charge.
At 231,000,000%, Zimbabwe has the world's highest rate of annual inflation, while some two million people need food aid. Aid agencies warn that figure could double within the next few months.At 231,000,000%, Zimbabwe has the world's highest rate of annual inflation, while some two million people need food aid. Aid agencies warn that figure could double within the next few months.
According to the original power-sharing deal agreed last month, 15 ministries are to be allocated to Zanu-PF, 13 to the MDC, and three to a smaller MDC faction led by Arthur Mutambara.According to the original power-sharing deal agreed last month, 15 ministries are to be allocated to Zanu-PF, 13 to the MDC, and three to a smaller MDC faction led by Arthur Mutambara.
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