CAR Rebels, Opposition Parties Quit Peace talks

Three major rebel groups and five key opposition parties have quit talks aimed at ending years of political instability and militancy in the Central African Republic (CAR). The eight groups walked out of the talks en masse, accusing the government of designing an amnesty that only protects President Francois Bozize and his allies. This latest spate of discontent is said to have brewed over new laws drafted last week, which only offer amnesty to offences committed by government and rebel forces between Bozize’s takeover in a March 2003 coup and this year(2008). The rebels and opposition groups want a broader timeframe that accords all parties a clean slate [PE]