Maravi

(NEWZIMBABWE) Mugabe sets sanctions condition in talks

Mugabe sets sanctions condition in talks
by
26/03/2010 00:00:00

PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe on Friday ruled out any concessions in ongoing negotiations with Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's party until sanctions imposed by Western countries were removed.

"The sanctions must go. If they don't, there is nothing, no concession we will make. None whatsoever," Mugabe said in an address to members of his party's central committee.

His statements followed representatives from the country's three main political parties working to iron out issues hampering the power-sharing government formed last year by Mugabe, Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara, leader of a splinter from Tsvangirai's MDC party.

The latest round of negotiations came after South African President Jacob Zuma held mediation talks with the three leaders in Harare last week to try to resolve their outstanding issues.

Zuma said his talks had been fruitful and that the parties had agreed to a package of measures to be put in place, but gave no indication of had been agreed or when the measures would be implemented.

The unity government's work has been stalled by haggling over the allocation of key cabinet posts, political violence, Mugabe's unilateral appointment of attorney-general Johannes Tomana and central bank chief Gideon Gono, and Mugabe's refusal to swear in Tsvangirai's aide Roy Bennett as deputy agriculture minister.

"All the talk about outstanding issues is nonsensical. It's nonsensical for anyone to expect us to move on these issues when we are burdened with sanctions, not only as persons but as a country, that the MDC has asked for," Mugabe said in the speech, which was shown on national television.

"It's the repeated references to Tomana, Gono and Bennett. It has become a song for the MDC. They are not going at all. Tomana and Gono will remain with us."

Mugabe’s comments have put a dampener on talks between Zanu PF and the two factions of the MDC which began Thursday and were continuing Friday through to Monday.

The negotiators would then report to Zuma on March 31, after which Southern Africa Development Community troika chairman Mozambican President Armando Guebuza may call a meeting to discuss the deal.

Guebuza leads the SADC political organ that also involves Swaziland's King Mswati III and Zambian President Rupiah Banda.

Mugabe also he criticised British Prime Minister Gordon Brown for rebuffing a call by Zuma this month to end sanctions on senior government officials and companies.

"Mr Brown must know that there will be no movement if sanctions don't go. The movement must come from him and who is he anyway to talk about that situation," said Mugabe. - Reuters/AFP

Labels: MUGABE, SANCTIONS, ZDERA

posted by MrK @ 3:06 PM