No Signs of Breakthrough as Zimbabwe Talks Resume

A third attempt to reach a power sharing deal between Zimbabwe’s government and the opposition has begun in Harare, though both sides remain pessimistic about any prospects of a deal. One day after South African President Thabo Mbeki, who is mediating the talks, arrived to restart the stalled talks, both President Robert Mugabe’s ruling Zanu-PF and Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s Movement of Democratic Change (MDC) said no agreement was in sight. Sources say the two sides are discussing new proposals presented by Mbeki on Monday. The talks stalled last week after both Mugabe and Tsvangirai insisted on having executive control of a unity government. [PE]