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Zuma arrives for talks
By Sydney Kawadza and Takunda Maodza 17/03/2010
South African President Jacob Zuma arrived in Harare yesterday late afternoon amid indications that all negotiations on implementation of the Global Political Agreement should be concluded this month.
Negotiating teams from Zanu-PF and the two MDC formations will likely meet at the end of the month to prepare the final document on the negotiations.
President Zuma will hold discussions with President Mugabe, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Deputy PM Arthur Mutambara.
The South African leader was met at the Harare International Airport by Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces President Mugabe.
Senior Government officials at the airport included Vice President John Nkomo, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, Deputy Prime Ministers Arthur Mutambara and Thokozani Khupe and several ministers.
President Zuma inspected a Guard of Honour mounted by the Presidential Guard at the airport after which he met cheering Zanu-PF supporters who had come to welcome him.
He last night met his facilitation team ahead of meetings with GPA principals today.
The South African team, comprising former ministers Mac Maharaj and Charles Ngcakula as well President Zuma’s international relations advisor Ms Lindiwe Zulu, arrived on Monday.
Zanu-PF negotiator Cde Patrick Chinamansa yesterday said: "We met yesterday (Monday) with the facilitators for two hours in preparation of President Zuma’s arrival ahead of his meeting with the principals tomorrow (today).
"We also briefed the facilitation team on progress made so far.
"We informed them that we will meet on March 25, 26 and 29 to finalise a report that will be submitted to the principals and subsequently the facilitator," he said.
Minister Chinamasa could not be drawn to comment on agreements or lack thereof in the discussions.
"The final document will indicate the agreements and disagreements that have been made but we are not in a position to discuss these at the moment."
He added: "President Zuma’s visit to Zimbabwe is most welcome and we appreciate his continued interest to resolve issues between political parties in Zimbabwe.
"We also acknowledge that they are the facilitation team to our discussions and are here to help so they are most welcome."
Cde Chinamasa hailed President Zuma’s continued fight for an end to the illegal Western sanctions on Zimbabwe.
"We appreciate the vigorous campaign against the illegal sanctions while commending him in his efforts to lobby the International Monetary Fund to normalise relations with us.
"President Zuma has demonstrated greater commitment to promoting Zimbabwe’s interests than some people here," he said.
Cde Nicholas Goche is Zanu-PF’s other negotiator in the talks while MDC-T is represented by Mr Tendai Biti and Mr Elton Mangoma.
Professor Welshman Ncube and Mrs Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga represent MDC. |
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