Optimism As Zimbabwe Talks Take Break

Talks to resolve Zimbabwe’s political crisis took a break early Monday, with reports indicating that the negotiations had made substantive progress. Leaving the Harare venue of the talks, Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe said he was "confident" that a deal was within reach, providing a strong hint that a final agreement was in the offing. Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai however declined to comment, instead referring journalists to the talks’ mediator, South African leader Thabo Mbeki. Negotiations have reportedly considered proposals for Mugabe to become ceremonial president in exchange for amnesty for any political misdeeds, while Tsvangirai becomes executive prime minister.[PE]