Talks between Mugabe and Opposition May Begin This Week

Talks between Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's ruling party and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) may begin this week. A lawyer for the MDC’s detained Secretary General, Tendai Biti, made the disclosure at a court hearing in which Biti is seeking to be released on bail so that he can attend talks to resolve the country’s political crisis. Biti, who is the MDC’s de facto number two, faces a treason charge for allegedly declaring that party candidate Morgan Tsvangirai won the March presidential contest outright. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s Foreign Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi has indicated that Mugabe was willing to form a unity government with the opposition, though he avoided discussing the possible role Tsvangirai could be offered.