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Tutu calls for action on Zimbabwe Tutu calls for action on Zimbabwe
(about 2 hours later)
The former Archbishop of Cape Town, Desmond Tutu, has called for tougher action to end the crisis in Zimbabwe.The former Archbishop of Cape Town, Desmond Tutu, has called for tougher action to end the crisis in Zimbabwe.
He told a British television station that South Africa's "softly-softly" diplomatic approach had failed and more forthright measures were needed.He told a British television station that South Africa's "softly-softly" diplomatic approach had failed and more forthright measures were needed.
His remarks came as Zimbabwe's main opposition reported progress at South African-mediated talks with President Mugabe's government, held in Pretoria.His remarks came as Zimbabwe's main opposition reported progress at South African-mediated talks with President Mugabe's government, held in Pretoria.
In Harare a strike called in protest at living costs is being largely ignored.In Harare a strike called in protest at living costs is being largely ignored.
"All of us Africans must hang our heads in shame for having allowed such a desperate situation to continue almost without anybody doing anything to try and stop it," Archbishop Tutu said in London."All of us Africans must hang our heads in shame for having allowed such a desperate situation to continue almost without anybody doing anything to try and stop it," Archbishop Tutu said in London.
Inflation and food shortages are commonplace in the cities
The Pretoria talks appear to have led to a surprise deal on constitutional changes.The Pretoria talks appear to have led to a surprise deal on constitutional changes.
Both factions of the MDC agreed not to offer resistance to draft constitutional amendments put forward by the governing Zanu-PF, even though there was speculation the changes would strengthen President Mugabe's position and allow him to choose his own successor.Both factions of the MDC agreed not to offer resistance to draft constitutional amendments put forward by the governing Zanu-PF, even though there was speculation the changes would strengthen President Mugabe's position and allow him to choose his own successor.
Inflation and food shortages are commonplace in the citiesThe constitutional amendments will pave the way for joint parliamentary and presidential elections in 2008. The constitutional amendments will pave the way for joint parliamentary and presidential elections in 2008.
Thokozani Khupe, deputy leader of the main MDC faction, said in parliament: "As a confidence-building measure we have made a bold decision not to stand in the way of the constitutional amendments."Thokozani Khupe, deputy leader of the main MDC faction, said in parliament: "As a confidence-building measure we have made a bold decision not to stand in the way of the constitutional amendments."
Economic woesEconomic woes
HAVE YOUR SAY Something extreme needs to be done to stop the human rights abuses occurring there Aicha, London Send us your comments
The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) called for a two-day general strike in protest at the escalating cost of living and a salary freeze decreed by the President.The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) called for a two-day general strike in protest at the escalating cost of living and a salary freeze decreed by the President.
But reports from the capital, Harare, suggest it was business as usual on Wednesday, with workers saying previous protests had not achieved anything and they could not afford to forfeit wages.But reports from the capital, Harare, suggest it was business as usual on Wednesday, with workers saying previous protests had not achieved anything and they could not afford to forfeit wages.
Zimbabwe has the world's highest inflation rate at an estimated 7,000%, and four out of five Zimbabweans live below the poverty line.Zimbabwe has the world's highest inflation rate at an estimated 7,000%, and four out of five Zimbabweans live below the poverty line.