Mugabe and Tsvangirai arrive at hotel for talks

(10 Sep 2008) SHOTLIST
1. Car carrying Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe arrives at hotel
2. Mugabe exits car, walks into hotel
3. Mugabe walking into hotel
4. Arthur Mutambara, leader of a small opposition faction, arriving at hotel, walking in
5. Mutambara walking into hotel
6. Car carrying opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai arriving, Tsvangirai exits vehicle, walks into hotel
7. Tsvangirai walking into hotel
STORYLINE
Talks aimed at forming a government of national unity to end Zimbabwe's long political crisis resumed on Wednesday amid mounting optimism.
Both President Robert Mugabe and the main opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai were relatively upbeat when they emerged from negotiations mediated by South African President Thabo Mbeki late on Tuesday.
The official Herald newspaper reported on Wednesday that there was optimism about reaching a solution to the key stumbling bloc - who should have the top position in government.
Tsvangirai has insisted on being head of government and chairing Cabinet meetings, with Mugabe in the largely ceremonial position of head of state.
But Mugabe is unwilling to surrender much of the power he has wielded since independence from Britain in 1980.
"We are still going to talk. There is progress and lack of it. There are principally one or two areas that need to be finalised," Mugabe was quoted as saying by the Herald as he left a Harare hotel late on Tuesday after four hours of negotiations.
Tsvangirai said there has been a positive development.
The Herald, a government mouthpiece, said Mugabe had told Tsvangirai that he would go ahead and form a new government by the end of the week regardless of the outcome in the talks.
The talks also involve Arthur Mutambara, leader of a small opposition faction.
Tsvangirai's party won the most votes in legislative and presidential elections in March.
Mugabe subsequently was the only candidate in a presidential runoff that followed an onslaught of state-sponsored violence against Tsvangirai's supporters and was widely denounced as a sham.
Since then Mugabe, 84, has faced pressure to reach a deal with the opposition as the only way of breaking the political deadlock and halting the economic collapse.
The government of Swaziland, which currently chairs the Southern African Development Community's key safety and security committee, scheduled a summit-level committee meeting on Zimbabwe on Wednesday with Mugabe and Mbeki.
The Herald said it was possible that the summit would be moved from the Swazi capital Mbabane to Harare in the event of an agreement being reached.
The Southern African Development Community has so far taken a soft approach on Mugabe in its official statements, but sharp public rebukes from members such as Zambia and Botswana have shattered the traditional African unity.
In his first major speech since negotiations began, Tsvangirai said at a party rally on Sunday that Mugabe should accept a ceremonial presidency or face elections under international supervision.
Tsvangirai said the opposition should not be pushed into a deal, as he would rather have no deal than a bad deal.
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[@princenyamudzanga7063]

Apa Mutambara akauya netsoka amana musadaro

[@jacobzaranyika9334]

Thank you 🙏 Zimbabwe 🇿🇼
Thank you 🙏 Mr. President Tsvangirai

[@mcdthedev]

Morgan was more than a politician he was a father and role model ..I am still very afraid no one can fill and fit in to the shoes he left

[@momoomms1031]

we miss u MT

[@josephmvero7928]

VaTsvangirai hamufe makakanganikwa.Zororai murugare.

[@jacobstarwireitaengwa7436]

Mugabe and Mnangagwa clearly knew that they had lost the match

[@emmanuelazizhou9456]

2008 yanga isiri yechitsaga i mark 2 kaiyo

[@faithdangaiso4118]

I will miss you Save

[@martinshemu947]

The two who were able to make it

[@nkosanamudzingwa4342]

Is tht a mark2

[@lloydkembo2617]

save

[@raphaelalec279]

Morgan Chibaba,

[@TheMightyKingzuru]

...and MT died before his time because he wanted to accelerate his greatness.

[@takundamutero99]

I'll be the last fool alive to think MT couldn't afford a better car, in my experienced opinion. A politician is a politician nomatter who you like today. Swallow that.

[@tawandaandrew5204]

Tsvangirai akauya nemark 2

[@FowardMugova-ev9cz]

Tsvangirai sold the struggle to Zanu pf

[@DaimonMudolo]

Too bad

[@givemoregumangeyi3258]

basa renyu makapedza vatsvangirai makatisiira Ronda pamoyo

[@munyaradzimupondi2569]

RIP Mugabe

[@chiheraspecial6654]

Ana Authur matsotsi

[@hasanimabonda5990]

Murombo

[@andrewkadzere2041]

REST IN PEACE Father Tsvangirai. Handifungi kuti tichawanazve ane moyo wakaita sewenyu.

[@ishmaelsesay8987]

B

[@lol-iv1ft]

Rhodesia was better

[@eliasngwenya5677]

I miss you Save, you sacrificed to share power asi mahwina zvenyu. You did it for the nation you were not selfish.
Rest in peace

[@chiheraspecial6654]

President Mugabe ndimi manga mune yese

[@mikeylikesit5740]

Two dead dictators ...
What's the big deal???