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| Zimbabwe rivals in crisis talks | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Zimbabwe's opposition and ruling parties are holding talks aimed at solving the country's economic and political crisis, officials say. | |
| The first talks since South African President Thabo Mbeki was tasked with mediating between the rivals began in South Africa at the weekend. | |
| An opposition spokesman confirmed the talks but refused to give any details. | |
| The economy is in meltdown, with the world highest inflation rate - 3,700% - and just one adult in five in work. | |
| "I can only confirm that we have representatives in South Africa attending roundtable discussions with the country's other political players," Nelson Chamisa spokesman for the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) told the AFP news agency. | |
| "In the interest of diplomacy, I am under instructions not to comment or give any more detail until such a time when both parties have agreed to make a statement." | |
| Leader stranded | |
| The state-run Herald newspaper quotes Didymus Mutasa, a top ruling party official, as also confirming that the talks had begun. | |
| However, some analysts say there is little sign of a breakthrough. | |
| Arthur Mutambara says he wants to bring the MDC factions closerOne of the MDC leaders is stranded in South Africa after his passport was seized in Harare. | |
| Arthur Mutambara sent his travel document to Zimbabwe with a colleague to apply for a UK visa when it was confiscated, he says. | Arthur Mutambara sent his travel document to Zimbabwe with a colleague to apply for a UK visa when it was confiscated, he says. |
| He says it is a deliberate attempt to block moves to reunite the opposition, as he was due to travel with the leader of the other group, Morgan Tsvangirai. | He says it is a deliberate attempt to block moves to reunite the opposition, as he was due to travel with the leader of the other group, Morgan Tsvangirai. |
| The MDC split two years ago. | |
| This was supposed to be the first time the two MDC leaders had travelled to Europe together. | This was supposed to be the first time the two MDC leaders had travelled to Europe together. |
| Mr Mutambara's colleague, Nqabutho Dube, is reported to still be in custody in Harare. | Mr Mutambara's colleague, Nqabutho Dube, is reported to still be in custody in Harare. |
| Coup plot | Coup plot |
| Meanwhile, there are unconfirmed reports that the bodies of two MDC activists have been found in the south-western Matobo area. | Meanwhile, there are unconfirmed reports that the bodies of two MDC activists have been found in the south-western Matobo area. |
| The two were apparently abducted by armed men last month. | The two were apparently abducted by armed men last month. |
| ZIMBABWE CRISIS Inflation: 3,714%Unemployment: 80%4m need food aidLife expectancy: 37 (men), 34 (women) Mobiles to beat fuel queues The MDC accuses the government of President Robert Mugabe of routinely intimidating and assaulting its members. | ZIMBABWE CRISIS Inflation: 3,714%Unemployment: 80%4m need food aidLife expectancy: 37 (men), 34 (women) Mobiles to beat fuel queues The MDC accuses the government of President Robert Mugabe of routinely intimidating and assaulting its members. |
| Scores of activists, including both Mr Tsvangirai and Mr Mutambara, were arrested and beaten by police in March. | Scores of activists, including both Mr Tsvangirai and Mr Mutambara, were arrested and beaten by police in March. |
| Mr Mugabe said they had deserved their treatment because they had ignored police warnings not to hold a banned meeting. | Mr Mugabe said they had deserved their treatment because they had ignored police warnings not to hold a banned meeting. |
| But pictures of Mr Tsvangirai's injuries sparked international outrage, leading to Mr Mbeki's appointment as mediator. | |
| Late on Friday, details emerged of an alleged coup plot in Zimbabwe. | Late on Friday, details emerged of an alleged coup plot in Zimbabwe. |
| At least five men, including an army officer, are due to appear in court on 22 June. | At least five men, including an army officer, are due to appear in court on 22 June. |
| They are alleged to have planned to carry out a coup against Mr Mugabe and replace him with Rural Housing Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa. | They are alleged to have planned to carry out a coup against Mr Mugabe and replace him with Rural Housing Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa. |
| Mr Mnangagwa, long seen as one of the candidates to replace Mr Mugabe, has denied any involvement. | Mr Mnangagwa, long seen as one of the candidates to replace Mr Mugabe, has denied any involvement. |
| The men were arrested last month but their initial court appearances had been kept secret. | The men were arrested last month but their initial court appearances had been kept secret. |