No Breakthrough Yet In Zimbabwe Cabinet Talks

Zimbabwe’s deadlocked power sharing talks are still continuing under the mediation of former South African President Thabo Mbeki although any tangible signs of a breakthrough are yet to emerge. As the talks adjourned for the day on Thursday, President Robert Mugabe called for compromise on both sides, saying he was optimistic that an agreement would be reached today. However, the Opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) spokesman, Nelson Chamisa, said the talks would probably remain stalled until the key ministries under contention were shared out equitably. Last week, negotiations towards the constitution of a unity government hit deadlock when President Mugabe unilaterally allocated all disputed cabinet portfolios to his ruling Zanu-PF. [PE]