Mugabe says last chance for MDC to join government

• Tsvangirai to meet Mugabe 'next week'

• Mugabe returns from Singapore, set to meet Tsvangirai

• Zim leaders 'lackadaisical' over forming government

• Mugabe, Tsvangirai set for final showdown

• New government by the end of February - paper

• Tsvangirai stands by threat to quit talks - party

• SA says arrests should not delay unity government

• US, UK plans to torpedo unity government draw fire

• US withdraws support for unity government

• Tsvangirai's remarks at Gaberone press briefing

• Tsvangirai threatens to quit unity government talks

• In letter, Mugabe appoints Tsvangirai Prime Minister

• Alfi Nyoni: Why Tsvangirai must join government

• Mugabe tells supporters to be ready for new elections

• Post Editorial: Tsvangirai pushing his luck too far

• Zambian newspaper lashes Tsvangirai, warns of 'shifting tide of public opinion'

• Document: Tendai Biti's letter to Mbeki

• Negotiators strike agreement on Constitutional Amendment No. 19

• Talks threatened as Mbeki, Tsvangirai trade barbs

• Text: statement by South Africa cabinet on Zimbabwe

• Document: SADC communique on Zimbabwe, DRC

Posted to the web: 18/01/2009 22:25:11
PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe ruled out giving any further concessions to opposition rival Morgan Tsvangirai on the eve of their crucial meeting in Harare on Monday which will likely decide the fate of a power sharing agreement signed five months ago.

Mugabe said his meeting with Tsvangirai was the last chance for his opposition rival, who returned from South Africa on Saturday, to join a government of national unity.

The agreement, signed on September 15 last year but stalled by disagreements over cabinet posts, envisages that Mugabe will remain President while Tsvangirai assumes the position of Prime Minister.

“This is the occasion when it's either, they accept, or it's a break," Mugabe said on Sunday. "If they have any issues they deem outstanding, they can raise them after they come into the inclusive government."

But the national executive of Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) which met on Sunday insisted that all outstanding issues must be resolved before a unity government was formed, and not after.

“The national executive reiterated that there has to be finality on the protracted dialogue, either in success or in failure, because Zimbabweans cannot continue to be arrested by an inconclusive process. The executive also reiterated that all outstanding issues should be resolved first before an inclusive government is formed,” a release from the party said.

South African President Kgalema Motlanthe along with Mozambican President Armando Guebbuza and mediator Thabo Mbeki are expected in Harare on Monday to lead the fresh round of negotiations.

The political deadlock has prevented authorities from addressing a spiralling economic crisis, with the central bank last week introducing a new 100 trillion Zimbabwe dollar note to keep pace with dizzying price increases.

Inflation is officially at 231 million percent -- in reality much higher. The health, water and education systems have collapsed, and most major goods are in shortage.

More than 5 million Zimbabweans are likely to be dependent on food aid this year, and a cholera epidemic has killed more than 2,200 people and infected over 42,000.

Arriving in Zimbabwe on Saturday after a three month absence, Tsvangirai said he would not be "bulldozed" into joining a lopsided government, after winning the first round of presidential elections in March but pulling out of the runoff because of violence against his supporters.

He reiterated demands that his party receive an equal share of “key” cabinet portfolios. In particular, he wants control of the Home Affairs ministry in charge of police, who are accused of a wave of abductions of opposition supporters.

The opposition party also wants a say in how the National Security Council is composed and run. And the party's executive committee demanded that their imprisoned supporters be released.

But Mugabe indicated his patience was running out.

"We have gone past negotiations, and whatever concessions were there to be made have already been made,” he was quoted as saying in the state-run Sunday Mail newspaper.

Opposition party spokesman Nelson Chamisa said that if Mugabe was "arrogant" enough to terminate the talks, "it would be for everyone to see that he is not sincere in resolving the country's problems." - Staff Reporter/AP
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