Mugabe under growing pressure for deal
Wednesday, 13 August 2008
HARARE, Aug 12 (Reuters): Zimbabwe's ruling party said power-sharing talks resuming Tuesday risked collapse as it haggled with the opposition over roles in a new government.
Marathon talks have so far failed to secure a breakthrough. After a second day of discussions, President Robert Mugabe told reporters on Monday there was no progress but a deal was still possible.
The negotiations are seen as the best chance to end a post-election crisis and raise hopes of economic recovery.
A source in the opposition MDC said Mugabe was refusing to give up executive powers, while an official from the ruling ZANU-PF said MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai's demands could scupper chances for a breakthrough.
Talks began in July after Mugabe's unopposed re-election in June in a poll condemned throughout the world as unfair and boycotted by Tsvangirai because of attacks on his supporters.
Marathon talks have so far failed to secure a breakthrough. After a second day of discussions, President Robert Mugabe told reporters on Monday there was no progress but a deal was still possible.
The negotiations are seen as the best chance to end a post-election crisis and raise hopes of economic recovery.
A source in the opposition MDC said Mugabe was refusing to give up executive powers, while an official from the ruling ZANU-PF said MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai's demands could scupper chances for a breakthrough.
Talks began in July after Mugabe's unopposed re-election in June in a poll condemned throughout the world as unfair and boycotted by Tsvangirai because of attacks on his supporters.