South African states: Zimbabweans have basis for agreement

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Zimbabwean negotiators have the basis for a power-sharing agreement and should quickly resolve their political differences and turn their attention to their nation's economic crisis, southern African leaders said. Zimbabwe's opposition portrayed that assessment - reached Sunday after three days of discussions among Southern African Development Community leaders - as an endorsement of further talks. But it also could be read as pressure to approve a deal despite signs the opposition and Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's party have deep reservations. The Southern African Development Community's key committee on security and politics said it had reviewed a report on more than a year of SADC-sponsored mediation. In recent weeks, the negotiations had focused on trying to bring Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai into a unity government. Both appear at odds over who would wield the most power in such a government.