Maravi

Mugabe turns down Tsvangirai’s request

Mugabe turns down Tsvangirai’s request
Written by George Chellah in Johannesburg, South Africa
Monday, November 10, 2008 7:43:52 AM

PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe last week turned down opposition MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai's last minute request for a one-on-one meeting to break the deadlock over the power-sharing agreement before the SADC extraordinary summit.
And the Botswana government has said it stands ready to open its borders to Zimbabwe so that the Zimbabwean authorities could fish out the anti-Zimbabwe militia allegedly being trained in their territory.

SADC insiders yesterday revealed to The Post that Tsvangirai attempted to reach out to President Mugabe last week but the veteran leader rejected his request for a meeting.

“Mr Tsvangirai has been trying to meet President Mugabe in Harare so that they could break the deadlock on the power-sharing agreement before today's SADC extraordinary summit,” the source disclosed. “Mr Tsvangirai has been making attempts for a meeting with President Mugabe even as late as last night here in South Africa. President Mugabe appears to have rejected Mr Tsvangirai's requests for a meeting because initially it was the MDC leader himself who was pushing that this matter be taken to SADC. So why should he try to stop it now when his wish has been granted?”

On the tension between Botswana and Zimbabwe, the source revealed that the Botswana government has defended itself over the allegations that it was training an anti-Zimbabwe militia.

“They raised a defence at the last regional meeting that was held in Mozambique. The Botswana government told the meeting that it was ready to open its borders for inspections so that the Zimbabwean authorities could pick up the alleged insurgents that were being trained in Botswana,” the source said “They explained that the Zimbabwean government was misled by two Zimbabwean nationals who were flashed out after they attempted to join the Botswana Defence Forces (BDF). They said two Zimbabweans tried to infiltrate the BDF but were identified and flushed out mid-way through the military training.

“The Botswana government went down into history and wondered why Zimbabwe should accuse them of such crimes when during their protracted liberation war, it aided them to transfer weapons through their territory. But the Zimbabwean government appears not be taking that defence. They still believe that Botswana was conducting some clandestine activities to destabilise Zimbabwe.”

The source said the extraordinary SADC summit would come up with a final position after it has received a report from the regional minister's meeting that was held in Mozambique.

Recently, the Zimbabwean government raised a complaint to the SADC organ on Politics, Defence and Security over a militia, which is allegedly being trained in neighbouring Botswana.

Sources in the Botswana government disclosed to The Post that the Zimbabwean government launched a complaint to the regional bloc's organ on Politics, Defence and Security.

The source revealed that even the troika meeting that was held in Zimbabwe discussed the matter.

“The argument being advanced by the Zimbabwean administration is that: 'how can ZANU-PF and the opposition MDC-Morgan Tsvangirai faction work together in an all-inclusive government if the other side with the assistance of Britain and President Major General Ian Khama have already adopted the military option?'”

And officially opening the SADC extraordinary summit, South African President Kgalema Motlanthe called for the conclusion of the discussion on the Zimbabwe power-sharing agreement.

“The historic power sharing agreement signed on 15 September remains the only vehicle to help extricate Zimbabwe from her socio-economic challenges. It is, however, disappointing that it is two months since the signing of the agreement and the parties have not yet been able to conclude the discussions on the formation of an inclusive government,” President Motlanthe said. “The political leadership in Zimbabwe owes it to the people of Zimbabwe and the region to show political maturity, by putting the interest of Zimbabwe first. Therefore, we urge the three parties to build on the achievement made thus far and reach an agreement on the outstanding issues including the Ministry of Home Affairs.”

On the DRC conflict, President Motlanthe called for an immediate ceasefire to allow humanitarian assistance to the displaced people.

“Let me repeat, we firmly believe that there is no military solution to the problem. We call for full implementation of both Nairobi communiqué and Goma agreement as well as the Amani processes,” President Motlanthe said. “These processes are a basis for a sustainable solution to the problems of the eastern part of the DRC.”

He said the involvement of all role players including SADC in the DRC was central.

President Motlanthe said SADC remained ready to assist the people of Zimbabwe and the DRC to achieve long lasting peace.

Several regional leaders were in attendance. Those conspicuously missing included Angolan President Edwardo Dos Santos, Zambian President Rupiah Banda, Malawian President Dr Bingu Wa Mutharika, Swaziland's King Mswati and Botswana President Khama, who was represented by his Vice-President.

Labels: BOTSWANA, COLOUR REVOLUTIONS, KGALEMA MOTLANTHE, MORGAN TSVANGIRAI, MUGABE, NEGOTIATIONS, SADC

posted by MrK @ 7:45 AM