afrol News, 1 July - All robes seem loose for any hopes in Zimbabwe's political dialogue and ultimate peace settlement.

Zimbabwe's officials today dismissed all condemnation especially by western powers, saying 'they can go hang a thousand times'.

The statements come amid boiling headaches behind closed AU meeting doors, where Zimbabwe is believed to be a central issues for the African leaders, most of whom, have already expressed disappointment by the way president Robert Mugabe has handled the country's problems.

George Cheramba, spokesperson for Mr Mugabe, told reporters in Egypt that AU leaders had accepted Zimbabwean president as head of state and nothing else, further saying there was nothing the summit could do to lessen the status that Mr Mugabe had joined the meeting with.

The outspoken Zimbabwe official was further not convinced that Zimbabwe could go power-sharing way of Kenya, after recent election that saw spread post-poll violence, saying the two scenarios did not compare.

He believed Zimbabwe had its own way of dealing with its problems and ultimately coming out of its problems.

Back in Zimbabwe, opposition leaders have also ruled out any prospects of a negotiated settlement with ruling party. "It is now the firm view of the MDC that those who claim they have got a mandate to govern should govern," said MDC Secretary General, Tendayi Biti in a statement, further adding in the local language (Chitongai tione) interpreted as meaning that those who have been looting and fullying themselves with Zimbabwe's wealth should continue to do so.

Mr Biti dismissed reports that suggest MDC was engaged in any talks with ruling party for the formation of a government of national unity, saying nothing can be as malicious and as further from the truth, from such statements.

He said there were no talks or discussions taking place between the two parties, adding that most importantly, there is no agreement in the offing.

"Whilst the MDC pursued dialogue in a bid to establish a Government of National Healing before the 12th June 2008, the sham and catalyptic election on 27 June 2008 totally and completely exterminated any prospects of a negotiated settlement," MDC secretary general pointed out.

AU leaders are expected to come out with their decision on Zimbabwe later today, which could build from calls such as from United Nations and other international voices, for a negotiated political settlement in Zimbabwe.

President Mugabe has been in power since 1980 when Zimbabwe got off the colonial grip of Britain. Once the hub of southern Africa, economically and politically, Zimbabwe has in recent years plummeted to an economic laughing-stock of the region, with its current inflation having ticked a record over One million per cent.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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