The Zimbabwe president, Robert Mugabe, left, shakes the hand of Morgan Tsvangirai, the Movement for Democratic Change leader, at the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two parties in Harare. Photograph: Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi/APFrom Yahoo News:
PRETORIA (AFP) - Talks began in earnest Thursday on resolving Zimbabwe's political crisis after President Robert Mugabe gave his senior lieutenants the final go-ahead to negotiate power-sharing with the opposition.
A spokesman for South African President Thabo Mbeki, the chief mediator between the two sides, confirmed the ruling ZANU-PF and opposition Movement for Democratic Change's top negotiators were now in place at a secret venue, two days after the initial scheduled start of their talks.
"Full-on talks are underway," Mukoni Ratshitanga told AFP, expressing confidence that they would lead to a swift conclusion even if not quite within an agreed two-week timeframe.
"We will finish in two weeks or just a bit after that," he added.
Read more ....
More News On Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe government runs out of cash -- The Telegraph
Soldiers await pay as Zimbabwe runs out of paper to print money -- Guardian
Army may go unpaid as sanctions dry up supply of paper for Zimbabwe banknotes -- Guardian
Zimbabwe's MDC, ruling party start full crisis talks -- Reuters South Africa
Zimbabwe power-sharing talks begin amid high hopes for deal -- The Guardian
Zimbabweans 'start crisis talks' -- BBC News
Zimbabwean peace talks begin amid talk that a deal is close -- Times Online
EU hits Zimbabwe with enhanced sanctions package -- Times Online
My Comment: The Zimbabwean government government no longer has the paper to print money to pay their soldiers and police force. This event was what probably broke the camel's back.
Will Mugabe and his cronies relinquish power .... I doubt it. Why the talks? The government can no longer pay its own enforcers. This is a last moment attempt to salvage assistance from foreign governments in providing aid.
Update: An Austrian company has jumped in to provide Zimbabwean bank notes. I am curious on who is guaranteeing payment.
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