Wiff of optmism as Tsvangirai/Mugabe sign deal to kickstart talks

Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai have signed a framework deal committing their political parties to talks to end the country's deep crisis. The signing of the memorandum in the capital Harare was witnessed by South African President Thabo Mbeki. A smaller faction of the Movement for Democratic Change also signed the agreement. Mugabe and the opposition have been locked in a bitter dispute over the outcome of presidental elections which both sides claim to have won. It was the first meeting in 10 years between the two rivals, who are widely believed to detest each other. They sat at a conference table separated by South African President Thabo Mbeki who mediated the deal.



The preliminary agreement was signed in Harare's Rainbow Towers Hotel after weeks of deadlock since Mugabe was re-elected on June 27 in a widely condemned poll boycotted by Tsvangirai because of violence against his supporters.

Mbeki said the agreement committed both sides to an intense process to try to complete substantive negotiations as quickly as possible. "All parties recognise the urgency," he said.

A subdued Mugabe said after the signing that the agreement was "to chart a new way of political interaction," while Tsvangirai called the ceremony "a very historic occasion."

Officials from both sides said the framework agreement sets a two-week deadline for the government and two factions of the opposition MDC to discuss key issues including a unity government and how to hold new elections.



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