Mugabe, opposition MDC under growing pressure for deal

Harare: Zimbabwe's ruling party said power-sharing talks set to resume on Tuesday risked collapse because of differences with the opposition over roles in a new
government.

Marathon talks between the ruling ZANU-PF and opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), seen as Zimbabwe's best chance to end a post-election crisis and raise hopes of economic recovery, have so far failed to secure a breakthrough.

After a second day of discussions, President Robert Mugabe told reporters and supporters on Monday there was progress in talks with MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai and breakaway MDC faction leader Arthur Mutambara. But a ZANU-PF official told Reuters the talks were in danger of failure.

"Tsvangirai is moving goal posts, forcing us to negotiate issues which we had already agreed upon," he said, referring to whether Mugabe would head a new unity government.

An MDC source said Mugabe refuses to give up executive powers.

Negotiations, which are expected to resume at 3 pm, began in July after Mugabe's unopposed re-election in a June poll condemned throughout the world as unfair and boycotted by Tsvangirai because of attacks on his supporters.

Political analysts say there are a host of formidable issues.

First and foremost is whether Mugabe will be ready to give up some powers that have helped him keep a tight grip. Control of powerful security forces is another critical question.

Caution

Neighbouring countries fear the consequences of more instability in Zimbabwe. Deepening hardships have already driven millions of Zimbabweans to seek work abroad.

Investors are likely to remain cautious even if there is a breakthrough, seeking reassurances that any new government can rescue what was once one of Africa's most promising economies and safeguard their money.

Nic Borain, a political consultant at HSBC, said ZANU-PF and the opposition have few options.

"I don't foresee a total breakdown where there would essentially be war on the streets or at least very high levels of repression and exclusion," he told Reuters.

"I don't think the talks will remain on the rocks, because I think all the parties eventually have no way out of it other than talking to each other."

New York-based Human Rights Watch on Tuesday called on regional leaders to pressure Zimbabwe's government to stop what it called continued violence which threatens to undermine efforts to end the country's political turmoil.

It urged the Southern African Development Community (SADC) group of countries to take a tough stand against the alleged abuses at its Aug. 16 summit in South Africa.

In a report released in Johannesburg, Human Rights Watch said SADC should ensure Zimbabwe's police "immediately dismantle all torture camps and bases throughout the country and prosecute those responsible for torture and other mistreatment".

ZANU-PF denies allegations of political violence.

South African President Thabo Mbeki, chief Zimbabwe mediator, could score a political coup if a deal is reached before the summit, where he takes over SADC's chairmanship.

Mbeki has been under fire for not being tough with Mugabe, a policy he says would aggravate tensions.