afrol News, 10 July - Zimbabwe's ruling Zanu-PF party and opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) have begun preliminary talks today in Pretoria, South Africa to resolve Zimbabwe's violent political crisis, which took a turn for worse after 27 June's poll.

This is the first meeting the two rivals have held since June's run-off poll, which president Robert Mugabe won as lone candidate, after MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai withdrew due to violence.

"Our team is in South Africa, for preliminary talks with Zanu-PF. It means something is happening. So these are not the actual talks, but preliminary discussions on what the talks will focus on," MDC sources in SA said.

"This is where we are going to talk about issues of violence and it is from these discussions that MDC will decide whether to engage in full negotiations if our conditions for an end to political violence are met. We will also have to agree on agenda for talks," sources added.

Both factions have been under intense international pressure to start negotiations since June 27 poll, followed by widespread aggression, that has claimed many lives.

MDC had until now refused to enter talks, claiming that continuing violence has killed over 100 of its supporters.

Mr Tsvangirai had argued that meeting Mr Mugabe at State House would mean recognising his legitimacy as president.

African Union has urged Zimbabwe to form a government of national unity. SA President Thabo Mbeki is heading arbitration efforts, while at the same time opposing moves towards United Nations sanctions.

Mr Mugabe had previously said he could hold dialogue only if opposition recognised him as president. For his part, MDC leader had ruled out talks, unless there was an end to continuing post-election violence.

Meanwhile, UK and US are pushing for a travel ban and assets freeze on president Mugabe and 13 of his allies, and an arms embargo to the country.

Ahead of an expected UN Security Council resolution, European Parliament has called on European countries to impose more economic sanctions against members of Zimbabwe's government.

Parliament in Strasbourg said travel restrictions on businessmen who financed Mr Mugabe's government should be among the new measures.

It also said banks that provided loans or invested in Zimbabwe should be exposed. The vote is non-binding.

UN Security Council is due to meet in New York to discuss a draft resolution on Zimbabwe, despite several African leaders saying they oppose sanctions, including SA.

Mr Mbeki told G8 leaders earlier this week that UN sanctions could lead to civil war. SA is currently on UN Security Council, but does not have power of veto.

Earlier, the High Court eased bail conditions on MDC Secretary General Tendai Biti to allow him to travel to South Africa for proposed talks on forming a unity government.

Mr Tsvangirai won first round of country's presidential elections on 29 March, but official results gave him less than 50% share needed to avoid a run-off.

His party claims that besides its more than 100 killed supporters, some 5,000 are missing while more than 200,000 have been forced from their homes.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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