(TALKZIMBABWE) Talks proceeding well: principals

Talks proceeding well: principals
By: TH-TZG
Posted: Thursday, March 18, 2010 12:23 am

THE ongoing power-sharing talks currently being facilitated by visiting South African president Jacob Zuma are said to be proceeding well, with all leaders expressing optimism that things are moving in the right direction.

Reports from the capital after the first day of talks, indicate that all the three principals are upbeat about finally finding a solution to the problems bedeveliing the inclusive Government and are likely to round-off the talks at the end of the month.

South African President Jacob Zuma held separate discussions with principals to the Global Political Agreement ahead of a group meeting to be held Thursday.

President Mugabe, prime minister Morgan Tsvangirai and deputy prime minister Arthur Mutambara were said to be "satisfied with progress made so far" in the implementation of the GPA and the workings of the inclusive Government.

President Zuma, the Sadc-appointed facilitator, is on a three day state visit to Zimbabwe to review progress a month after the inclusive Government celebrated its first anniversary.

South African and international media reports had incorrectly stated that there was a logjam in the talks, and President Zuma must find a solution for Zimbabwe.

His role is to facilitate the power-sharing talks and is an envoy of the 15-member Sadc regional grouping.

Mr Zuma met all the three principals, leaders of the main parties that form the GPA, on Wednesday. President Mugabe met Mr Zuma first in an hour-and-a-half closed-door meeting at a Harare hotel. After the meeting, President Mugabe said the discussion went on "very well and as usual".

PM Tsvangirai met President Zuma later in the morning and said that "talks are going on very well".

"We are appraisal president Zuma of the progress we have made so far. He is here as a Sadc envoy and a year on we are required to report to him.

"The talks are going on very well," said the prime minister.

In the afternoon, President Zuma met MDC-M leader Prof Mutambara, who said the meeting was "productive".

"Discourse continues. This is work in progress," he said.

President Zuma is scheduled to hold a meeting with all the three principals Thursday morning.

His spokesperson, Mr Vincent Magwenya, told journalists that the leaders might hold a joint Press conference later today.

President Mugabe, President Zuma, Vice President John Nkomo and PM Tsvangirai had lunch together Wednesday along with senior Zimbabwe Government officials and ambassadors accredited to Harare.

The inter-party talks are expected to end this month.

Zanu-PF negotiator Cde Patrick Chinamasa yesterday said they would come up with a final report to be presented to the principals and the facilitator, indicating areas of agreement and contention.

TH-TZG