Pressure mounting for talks about crisis in Zimbabwe

Angus Shaw

HARARE, Zimbabwe — Momentum is building to start South African-brokered talks to resolve the political and economic turmoil that has left Zimbabwe impoverished and shunned by the West, opposition officials say.

But the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has again refused demands that it recognize President Robert Mugabe as the nation’s legitimately elected leader before talks can proceed. That condition stalled two previous initiatives.

The opposition alleges it has been robbed in parliamentary and presidential races by violent intimidation of voters and ballot rigging. The opposition also has demanded the repeal of sweeping media and security laws, electoral reforms and an end to state-orchestrated political violence.

Officials said last week both main opposition parties were now considering setting aside their demands in order to return to negotiations.

The officials asked not to be identified. South Africa has insisted on a news blackout.

South African President Thabo Mbeki, appointed in March by the Southern African Development Community to mediate on Zimbabwe, was given until the end of June to return with concrete proposals on narrowing the wide differences between Mugabe’s ruling party and the MDC.

“The situation here is impacting on the whole region and President Mbeki has a deadline to meet,” said one official.

Mugabe’s fellow African leaders have heard repeated calls to do more to press Mugabe to embark on reforms. But the Southern African Development Community voiced full support for Mugabe at the summit at which Mbeki — who has long advocated quiet diplomacy over confrontation with Mugabe — was appointed to mediate.

At another regional summit in Kenya last week, Mugabe had harsh words for his opposition and his critics in the West, and was applauded by fellow African leaders.

Earlier this month, Mbeki sent a delegation headed by Sydney Mufamadi, a Cabinet minister, to Harare for talks with Mugabe.

Mufamadi did not meet with opposition leaders in Harare, but several top aides of Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of one opposition faction, and rival faction leader Arthur Mutambara have shuttled to and from South Africa in recent weeks.

There were suggestions for at least initial talks in June for Mbeki to deliver to regional leaders, he said.

No comment was immediately available from the ruling party.

Ronnie Mamoepa, South African Foreign Affairs spokesman, would not confirm any details of the mediation process.

“We are not going to comment except to say that mediations remain on course,” he said.

(Associated Press)