ZIMBABWE:AS REPRESENTATIVES of the leaders who signed an agreement to hold talks on solving Zimbabwe's political crisis gathered in Pretoria to begin the process yesterday, opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai warned there were no guarantees of success.
In a letter to party supporters, Mr Tsvangirai said the deal with President Robert Mugabe offered "the most tangible opportunity in the past 10 years to improve the lives of our fellow citizens".
However, the Movement for Democratic Change leader added that unless the violence that has claimed the lives of 120 of his supporters and displaced tens of thousands of other Zimbabweans stopped, the talks were doomed to fail. "Our signatures alone do not guarantee that we will be able to make the most of this opportunity," he said.
Aside from an end to violence, the memorandum of understanding signed on Monday commits all parties to the creation of an inclusive government as well as dialogue that provides a sustainable solution to Zimbabwe's economic crisis.
Also on the agenda are "discussions on a new constitution, promotion of equality, national healing, cohesion and unity, as well as external interference, free political activity and rule of law".
While a media blackout has been agreed to by those taking part, a source in Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF party confirmed that justice minister Patrick Chinamasa and labour minister Nicolas Goche would represent the ruling regime.
After the signing of the memorandum of understanding, spokespeople for the African Union and the Southern African Development Community, both of which are involved as mediators, heralded the move as significant progress. "Today's [ Monday's] event marks a significant step in the efforts aimed at overcoming the crisis facing Zimbabwe and promoting national reconciliation in the country," said the AU.
However, an indication of how different African leaders and the West view the Zimbabwean problem emerged yesterday when the EU responded to the deal by broadening its sanctions against Zimbabwe's ruling regime to include another 37 individuals and four companies linked to Mr Mugabe's government. Existing EU sanctions include an arms embargo, visa bans and asset freezes on senior officials including the president. Yesterday's additions mean the list now comprises 168 individuals, and for the first time targets companies.