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 Enemies return to the table

                            By Blessing Chapwati 11-08-08 1743

Talks between Zimbabwe's political parties which started on Sunday resumed Monday afternoon after a break in the early hours of the day.

No agreement could be reached by Sunday in the talks that are being mediated by South African President Thabo Mbeki who came to Harare late Saturday.

Official details of the discussions were not available but President Mugabe said naturally sticking points in any dialogue are bound to be found but was hopeful a deal could be found.

The three leaders were locked behind closed doors for more than 14 hours and sources close to the meeting say they have agreed on several concessions and an agreement could be signed by Monday.

Expectations are that under the power sharing agreement opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai will assume a Prime Ministerial position but the sticking point still lies on whether his post be made executive while Mugabe becomes a ceremonial President.

In his Heroes day address at the national shrine in Harare on Monday, Mugabe said the signing of an MOU by the political parties should raise prospects for the establishment of an all inclusive government.

"We congratulate all the parties to the negotiations on exhibiting this sense of collective and shared responsibility in resolving our country's challenges," Mugabe said.

Security Influence

A ZANU PF official who could not be named said any deal that could be struck by the principals of the three political parties requires the green light of the county's security forces.

The security chiefs wields power that could sway over Mugabe who would want to make sure they are not vulnerable to international prosecution if any government to include the opposition is formed.

Security chiefs were influential in the outcome of the June 27 presidential results. They have been accused to have had an underhand in most of the brutal violence which swept the country in the run up to the poll to sway the vote in favour of President Mugabe.

Inside sources from the opposition have also sighted the delay in striking a power sharing deal to Mugabe's refusal to relinquish executive powers in the proposed government of national unity.

Mbeki is under pressure particularly because next week the regional heads of government are meeting and he has to come up with a positive deal.

Should an agreement be reached, it could take at least two weeks to convene parliament and push through expected constitutional changes to create new government posts and implement other aspects of the deal.

Power-sharing talks began after the political rivals signed a deal on July 21 laying the framework for negotiations.