afrol News, 29 July - Power sharing talks between Zimbabwe's ruling ZANU-PF party and opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) reached a stalemate yesterday after negotiators failed to agree on power sharing procedures, officials said.

Talks stalled when opposition negotiators turn down an offer for its leader Morgan Tsvangirai to get an inferior position at the presidency. Mr Tsvangirai defeated President Robert Mugabe in the presidential election of 29 March but the highly disputed results did not win him majority votes to avoid a runoff, which he boycotted to avoid further killings of his supporters.

Reportedly, the MDC leader only was offered a very inferior position. The news agency 'AFP' quoted a source as saying: "The proposal to name Mr Tsvangirai third vice-president showed a complete lack of sincerity and the need to really address issues and problems Zimbabwe is facing.''

"Zanu-PF negotiators Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa and Social Welfare Minister Nicholas Goche, might be going home to consult Mr Mugabe about their mandate," an official close to the talks further said.

Although it is unclear whether the talks are in recess or have broken down completely, MDC spokesman George Sibotshiwe said he could only comment that talks reached a deadlock and that negotiators were now forced to consult their principals.

Mr Tsvangirai has said that an agreeable settlement must recognise only his victory in March elections, but Mr Mugabe insists he should head any compromise government to be facilitated by talks, pointing to the uncontested run-off election, which he won.

Last week's agreement for power sharing talks called for an end to all violence. Though beatings and abductions of opposition activists have diminished, violence still continues, according to doctors and analysts in Zimbabwe.

An agreement hailed as historic when it was signed last Monday, has seen some critics for Mr Tsvangirai by his own party members for agreeing to talks without insisting that his followers, including some newly elected legislators, be freed from jail.

Meanwhile Mr Tsvangirai arrived in South Africa yesterday. His spokesman, Mr Sobtshiwe, said the opposition leader's visit to South Africa was mainly private business.

By staff writers

© afrol News

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