Statement on ‘talks’ by Morgan Tsvangirai – 10 July 2008
Via an MDC Press Release:
Over the past ten days, I and my party have stated categorically that there are no negotiations between ourselves and ZANU PF currently taking place. In addition, we have stated that no such negotiations can take place while the ZANU PF regime continues to wage war on my party and the people of Zimbabwe. This position has not changed.
There is a meeting currently taking place in Pretoria at which the MDC is represented by Secretary-General, Tendai Biti, and Deputy Treasurer-General, Elton Mangoma. Their presence at this meeting is solely to present the conditions under which genuine negotiations can take place and the mechanism under which these negotiations will be conducted as defined by the AU resolution. The lack of these conditions and an agreed framework in which negotiations can take place were the reasons for the MDC not attending the meeting between President Mbeki and Robert Mugabe last Saturday.
Those persons portraying this meeting as the beginning of negotiations between the MDC and ZANU PF are being disingenuous and exploiting the plight of the Zimbabwean people for political gain.
In addition, portraying these talks as negotiations also undermines the resolution of the African Union, the statements made by the G8 leaders and the current process underway at the United Nations Security Council, all of which are designed to pressure the ZANU PF regime to desist from its campaign of violence against the MDC and the people of Zimbabwe.
At present the state-sanctioned violence and repressive legislation employed by the regime is designed to silence the Zimbabwean people.
We in the MDC are committed to finding a peaceful, negotiated solution to the Zimbabwean crisis and we will take every opportunity to clarify our position and to allow the voice of the Zimbabwean people to be heard.
Our conditions for partaking in negotiations remain:
1) The immediate cessation of violence and the withdrawal and disbanding of militia groups, paramilitary camps and illegal road blocks. All structures and infrastructure of violence must be disbanded. Amongst other things, war veterans, youth militia and others encamped on the edges of our cities, towns and villages need to be sent home and be reintegrated into society.
2) The normalization of the political environment, including the release of the more than 1 500 political prisoners, cessation of political persecution and allowing the currently besieged MDC leadership to conduct business and travel without hindrance
3) The reinstatement of access by humanitarian organizations to the people of Zimbabwe in order to provide food, medical and other critical services through out the country.
4) Parliament and Senate must be sworn in and begin working on the people’s business.
5) The mediation team is expanded to include an AU permanent envoy.
Until the above conditions are in place no negotiations can take place on the substantive issues facing Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwean people.
July 10th, 2008 20:52
Good on yer, Morgan! Dead right!
July 11th, 2008 00:09
It is crucial now to keep Zimbabwe in the world news headlines.
The fickle global media would be only to happy now to turn their cameras and commentaries towards the excitements, positive and negative, of the Olympic games. The world’s politicians too would be relieved if “talks” between “rival factions” provide an excuse for not pushing through with some of their anti-Mugabe measures.
Today Zim is still a top news story on the BBC. Let’s keep it like that. Morgan, please keep issuing statements, letting us know the accurate picture of the political thinking from your side. You are a brave man. Many people are praying for you in these sad and difficult times.
Please Sokwanele keep the plight of the people in the forefront of the eyes of the world with the amazing job you do.
It really annoys me to read statements like “President Mugabe” – he should be referred to as Robert Mugabe full stop.
July 11th, 2008 04:50
New reports from ZANU sources indicate Mugabe is racking up the violence against MDC officials to force the MDC leadership to agree to a government of national unity with Mugabe as President.
Low profile MDC MP’s are also likely to be abducted and ‘disappeared’ one by one as part of a strategy to force by-elections whereby Mugabe will regain control of parliament.
Before he loses the balance of power and the initiative, Morgan needs to take his MDC MP’s and office bearers en masse into exile and form a government in exile. From a safe haven in, say, Zambia or Mozambique, his duly elected government will then be safe and can plan future strategy including demand that Mugabe meet him on neutral turf.
July 11th, 2008 10:22
Or just “Bob”.
July 11th, 2008 11:49
Ozzie makes a very good point. Several news outlets have slipped into calling him “President Mugabe”. A good way to remind editors that this is an ongoing story, and one which has a readership, is to comment on online stories and remind editors that they are not following good practice as his presidency remains widely unrecognised and disputed.
Stories like this, for example:
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/UN-Security-Council-Expected-To-Vote-On-Sanctions-Against-Zimbabwe-President-Robert-Mugabe/Article/200807215029972?lpos=World%2BNews_1&lid=ARTICLE_15029972_UN%2BSecurity%2BCouncil%2BExpected%2BTo%2BVote%2BOn%2BSanctions%2BAgainst%2BZimbabwe%2BPresident%2BRobert%2BMugabe
July 11th, 2008 11:54
As a Zimbabwean I feel that the South African govenment should not push for negotiations on a GNU, because evidently that is not what the majority of Zimbabweans want. What we want is a transitional govenment and I certainly hope that Mr Morgan Tsvangirai will not change his stance with regards to that.
I strongly feel that GNU will only add more muscle to ZANU PF thereby leaving the MDC so weak and non influencial at all and really that would be such a betrayal to the people who lost their lives and property to the hands of the militia.
More so, if Mugabe is convinced that he is a ligitimate leader why is he so interested in negotiations. If he is a ligitimate leader then let him rule for the next 5 years. Why does he want the MDC to part take in his mess.
July 11th, 2008 18:33
Remember the ZAPU/ zanu unity accord. Who benefitted. Not the people of Matabeleland or the leadership of ZAPU. They are now zanu stooges.
Mugabe lost recently and forced himself into power through murderous designs. Don’t negotiate with a bully. How many times are people going to negotiate with the devil and only realise the same results.
Do away with the regime and anything called zanu, then we will have a deep breath of fresh air. Anything associated with zanu should be acrid, putrifying and smell like the stalest shit you’ll ever encounter in a public toilet.
Zapu was decimated, literally castrated. Who or where is John or Joseph Musika. What has happened to the pathetic, myopic so called scholar cum squealer(publicity secretary) for zanu, Sikhanyiso Ndlovu.When ever he speaks he sounds constipated. Matonga a junior to him has overshadowed him.
And MDC is laying the foundations for a GNU meeting with mugabe. IT WIIL NOT WORK. zanu has been rejected by the people and they are killing them for it. IF the UN is worth its salt they should go into ZIMBABWE declare a state of emergency fill the rural areas with soldiers and have a proper election. After that ARREST THE JUNTA or let the people meet them without their armed bodyguards and see what will happen.
July 11th, 2008 20:36
Hear, hear!!
July 11th, 2008 21:59
Morgan Tsvangirai should get serious advice from the former ZAPU members who were disgruntled about the unity accord and learn what happened to them if they survived.
The word ‘unity’ in that accord was meant for the west and everyone else outside Zimbabwe to view it in its literaral sense not the real one.
Secondly he must consider the fact that what the junta have planned they will execute, viz killing the MDC candidates who won until ZANU wins control.
Thirdly he should consider the fact that what he has stated above are mere theoretical suggestions which have already been brushed aside by zanu. Remember and pleeaase remember you are dealing with zanu, not a western democracy or a Batswana political opponent who would allow you to criticise them in public and consider your views.
No THIS IS A RATTLE SNAKE!! it will only cure its bite with its own vernom viz an inside defection that is credible or elese burn it!!
How do you negotiate with an illegitimate leader, a murderer, now playing puppet to the most vernomous elite in Southern Africa. A man whose balls were corrected by the Chinese and is now gratefully paying them back through our own birthright and freedom.
Consider Graham’s advice before you realise, you are, alone.