two of the countries he's visiting, Nigeria and
> South Africa, are the main players in negotiations between Mugabe and the
> opposition, and both of them are for exactly the opposite policy. They
> want a transitional coalition government including both government and
> opposition (like they had in South Africa, as Mbeki points out). And
> they
> are convinced that they already have a promise from Mugabe to step down
> within the year on this basis.
Is Mugabe negotiating? Is that stupid trial w/ "evidence" via fabulist
Victor Ostrovsky, w/ "conviction" of Tsvangirai for treason, going to be
thrown out?
http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20030709-025046-8816r.htm
> ...South African quote causes Zimbabwe anger
KIMBERLEY, South Africa, July 9 (UPI) -- A casual statement by South African President Thabo Mbeki during a Wednesday news conference with President Bush has produced anger in neighboring Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe's opposition leader accuses Mbeki of making false statements to Bush about the crisis in his country by saying talks between Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe and the opposition are progressing.
Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the Movement for Democratic Change, told the BBC, "Such statements are manifestly partisan, designed to buy time for the beleaguered illegitimate Mugabe regime.
Bush is on a five-day tour of Africa and has pledged to work towards bringing stability to the continent.
But Tsvangirai said there has been absolutely no political engagement between the two political parties in his country, He told the BBC: "The Mugabe regime has remained intractable and sustained an arrogant and defiant program of violence, torture, murder, rape and all manner of crimes against humanity.
"Therefore statements claiming there is dialogue going on are patently false and mischievous." -- Michael Pugliese