No Deal Yet as Zimbabwe Talks Overstep Deadline

Talks to resolve Zimbabwe’s political crisis have not yet reached a settlement, one day after the pre-agreed two week deadline passed. According to Mukoni Ratshitanga, a spokesman for South African President and chief mediator Thabo Mbeki, talks between President Robert Mugabe’s ruling Zanu-PF and the opposition are however on course at a secret location in South Africa. The negotiations resumed last Sunday after a five-day recess to allow negotiators consult with their leaders. Last week, Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai rejected Mugabe’s offer to appoint him Vice President, insisting that his first-round victory makes him the rightful leader of Zimbabwe. A South African Newspaper, “The Star”, however announced today that the two sides were very close to striking a deal that would make Tsvangirai executive Prime Minister while Mugabe becomes a ceremonial President.[PE]