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MDC can quit pact if it doesn’t work – Tsvangirai

MDC can quit pact if it doesn’t work – Tsvangirai
Written by Kingsley Kaswende in Harare, Zimbabwe
Thursday, September 03, 2009 12:11:55 AM

ZIMBABWE'S Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has said the Movement for Democratic Change can quit the inclusive government if the political agreement with ZANU-PF does not work.

Addressing journalists at a briefing marking the first anniversary of the Global Political Agreement (GPA) that established the inclusive government, Prime Minister Tsvangirai said his party remained "concerned and disappointed" with the deliberate frustration associated with the implementation of key outstanding issues of the GPA.

"We are not tied up by anything other than the fact that we volunteered to be in this government and what will stop us from leaving? We have an option of getting out if we think that it's not working," he said.

He said although he had been saying that the process was irreversible, things could change depending on circumstances.

"What we want to emphasize is that when we say it's irreversible we are not saying things will not change, we just say this is the only option that gives direction to the people of Zimbabwe and on that we are very committed," he said.

The GPA was signed on September 15 last year by three main political parties that had representation in Parliament.

Prime Minister Tsvangirai said it was regrettable that one year into the agreement and six months into the inclusive government, not all provisions had been fully fulfilled.

"Firstly, it is regrettable that the government has not been fully consummated to the extent that not all ministerial office holders have been sworn-in. The case of Roy Bennett [Tsvangirai's nominee for agriculture deputy minister who has been facing criminal charges for attempting to overthrow President Mugabe] remains a blatant indicator of poor faith in implementing the GPA," he said. "Secondly, the outstanding issue of the [central bank] governor and the Attorney General, which ought to have been resolved a long time ago, are impacting negatively on the credibility and legitimacy of the inclusive government. Thirdly, it is also regrettable that we have not resolved or implemented agreed positions on provincial governors despite the negotiators agreeing on a formula for their fair allocation."

Prime Minister Tsvangirai also said the prosecution of his parliamentarians continued to inflame political tensions.

"Equally problematic is the deliberately slow pace of progress on the implementation of key issues connected to human rights and the rule of law. This includes the self evident deliberate stalemate on the constitution-reform process, as well as the slow pace of media reform," he said.

He said all parties pledged to adhere to the agreement and that SADC, who stand as guarantors of the agreement, accepted that these issues were genuine and must be resolved urgently.

"This agreement was not the invention or desire of a single political party. Instead it represented a pledge by the three main political parties to put aside our differences and to work together to rebuild our nation and to provide an environment for all Zimbabweans to rebuild their lives. This pledge was made with the support and backing of SADC and the African Union (AU) who stand as guarantors of the agreement," he said.

Prime Minister Tsvangirai urged the Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit that would be held in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) next week to place Zimbabwe high on the agenda.

Labels: GLOBAL POLITICAL AGREEMENT, MDC, MORGAN TSVANGIRAI

posted by MrK @ 11:14 PM