Zimbabwe: Tsvangirai Opens Up On Failed Deal
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Zimbabwe Standard (Harare)
30 August 2008
Posted to the web 31 August 2008
Walter Marwizi
Harare
MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai on Friday vowed to resist any pressure to sign an agreement that does not reflect the aspirations of Zimbabweans as he revealed intricate details of what transpired during the collapsed power-sharing talks.
Shortly before he left for South Africa, Tsvangirai told The Standard he had a hard time during negotiations as he was pressured to sign a deal with President Robert Mugabe.
He also revealed how tempers flared as they haggled over the roles they could assume in a new inclusive transitional government.
Tsvangirai also made startling revelations that South African President Thabo Mbeki prepared the controversial draft that would have made him a lame duck Prime Minister and entrenched Mugabe's grip on the country.
The MDC leader refused to sign the agreement, saying he needed more time to reflect and consult before putting his signature.
Tsvangirai said it was left to Mbeki to come up with the final draft during the Heroes' Holiday after he and Mugabe had failed to agree on some sticking points.
These involved the terms of the transitional government and its duration, the constitution and the need for amendments, the roles and functions of the Prime Minister and the President.
The sticking points were referred to Tsvangirai, Mugabe and MDC leader Arthur Mutambara by negotiators who had failed to find common ground in SA.
Under Mbeki's draft, Tsvangirai realised that he would become an overburdened Prime Minister without any authority: he would not chair the Cabinet and would not have any power to appoint, censure or dismiss ministers.
Yet Tsvangirai would be expected to make sure the economy of country, destroyed by Mugabe's policies, was back on track.
In that ceremonial role, it would be his responsibility to ensure the state "has sufficient resources and appropriate operational capacity to carry out its functions effectively".
Tsvangirai said he came under serious pressure from the three leaders to sign the agreement.
Harsh words were exchanged as he was told that was the "best agreement" he could get under the circumstances. If the agreement was unworkable, he could still get back to Sadc leaders, he was told.
Tsvangirai said Mugabe fiercely opposed any constitutional amendment that would dilute his duties, insisting, he needed to remain head of state, government and being Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
Frustrated by the process, Tsvangirai said at one point he suggested that he and Mugabe swap roles in an effort to test the sincerity and fairness of the arrangement.
"Mugabe fumed. He said no ways, he could not become the Prime Minister," Tsvangirai said.
While Tsvangirai refused to sign, both Mugabe and Mutambara agreed to the deal.
Tsvangirai said he took a right decision not to sign. He, however, said he made the decision after exhausting all efforts to reach an agreement that would ensure Zimbabwe had a transitional government that could take Zimbabweans out of the present political and economic crisis.
While the MDC had pressed for Mugabe to be a ceremonial President, Tsvangirai revealed he ended up making significant concessions to Mugabe for the sake of the voters who wanted a way out of the crisis.
"Fully aware that we won the March 29 election, we could have demanded nothing but outright victory," he said. "But we reached a position, where we said it was important for cohabitation with Zanu PF for the sake of the country."
"I said yes, Mugabe can remain the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. I also didn't object to Mugabe heading the National Security Council," said Tsvangirai, referring to the body known presently as the Joint Operations Command, a group made up of army, police, prisons and Central Intelligence Organisation chiefs.
"We hoped this would show we were genuine in the quest to find an agreement to establish a transitional government that rebuilds confidence in Zimbabwe and ensure there is food, jobs and justice for Zimbabweans."
But Tsvangirai said his overtures were fruitless because Mugabe, whom he said had not had a "paradigm shift and still thought he was the winner", refused to make some compromises on the functions of the PM.
Relevant Links
Mugabe insisted that he chaired the Cabinet.
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Read comments. Write your own.
I am deeply saddened that Mugabe would still push his luck and run rough shod on poor Zimbabweans while claiming to want a peaceful solution. Looks to me like power sharing to him meant cutting Tsvingarai in on all the rape loot and plunder. Thankfully Tsvingarai showed character and declined. We can not say the same for Mutambara , how could he believe dealing with the devil would get him into heaven ? I never expected anything from "nkwenkwe " Mbeki , he is no statesman and will go down in history as just another no good… [Read Full Text]
A writer who goes by the name Prem is misguided..i doubt much if he is a Zimbo..You're calling for South African civic society to oppose Mbeki as if Zimbabwe is governed by south africa...hear this from a zimbabwean.. we're sick and tired of inteference from outsiders.. well if tsvangirai cares why does he support the economic sanctions against us ordinary people..man leave our country alone , if tsvangirai is confused , its not mbeki's fault. for us zimbabweans in zim the're is nothing heroic about a … [Read Full Text]
My Dear Machingauta, you must know that Zimbabwe's sovereignty stops where its monstrous illegitimate President starts to undermine the sovereignty of neighbouring countries!
4 million Zimbabweans lost roaming as refugees in neighbouring countries? and forcing the host countries to divert invaluable public resources away from building their economies to feeding your brothers and sisters who Mugabe terrorised away because they are MDC supporters!
We will not leave lunatic Mugabe and you alone! Do you recall how Tanzania ended Idi Amin's brutal rule in another neighbouring country?
You are as insensible as devil Mugabe because you do not show any remorse… [Read Full Text]
Over our dead bodies!That we shall not accept.TRANSFERRING power on what grounds?Constitutionally Zanu pf never lost on the 29th of March.Constitutionally Zanu pf won on the 27th of June. But for the sake of progress, based on the results of the 29th of March, a power sharing deal was and is the most feasible thing to do not a power transfer. Who doesnt know that Richard Morgan has been told by his masters that they shall not entertain having him in bed with Bob?They want him to have total control.Pity that he cannot see through the smoke screen.He made choices,… [Read Full Text]
But everyone knows that the only reason why Mugabe won the 27 run off was because of mass beatings, murder and intimidation of opposition supporters. And you forget that power sharing automatically requires a transfer of power. Whats the point of sharing if you have 0% and the other still has 100%? Hence transferring some power is required. Quite simple really.
And how can Tsvangarai possibly do his job with authority if he has no power?
And the reason why he didnt give people the choice in the election is due to him not wanting people to risk their lives… [Read Full Text]
I`m not in a swearing contest or upto using such inuendos and what have you like you always do AWT.It seems to be a hobby.If Zimbabwe is nothing to this world, why bother? For the umpteenth time let it sink in your mind that power transfer will not happen for the next coming five years but power sharing yes that is very much feasible and can only be achieved if Morgan signs the agreement. I am sure you are not privy to the contents of that deal and once again lest i remind you and your brethren that what has… [Read Full Text]
I'm not in a swearing competition either... dont think I swore once! Once again you are mistaken. Not surprising really. And you still seem to think that power sharing can be done without transferring power. Surely to share power, you must have some transferred to you. Why is this difficult for you. Any why bother about Zimbabwe? Because a great injustice to the people of Zimbabwe has occured. A man has raped, beated, murdered and intimidated his own people to keep power. And people like you condone and support this behaviour. Its disgusting. At the end of the… [Read Full Text]
greenbomber, You are as psychotic as Mugabe, you are paranoic, outdated and cacooned! Yours is Zimbabwe; that is what you see! You dont see that Zimbabwe is part of the globe and that events in the world affect Zimbabwe and events in Zimbabwe affect the globe. You have very shallow thinking indeed, much like Mugabe! Your perception of the world is scary, you can cause war, instability and chaos on earth. No body is a Master of anyone; yes they were but that is more than 300 years ago; 300 years man; 300 years!!!!!!! In your mind you still think… [Read Full Text]
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Tsvangirai and the MDC MPs are the real sons and daughters of Zimbabwe! They are today's heroes as compared to the yesterday's hero turned into a double-headed monster - everybody knows the devil I am talking about.
And Mbeki is as much to be blamed for his irresponsibility in trying to save the face of a monster who has completely brought down Zimbabwe's economy to its knees! And who has the gut to try to cling to power.
Civil society in SA should now start to build resistance to Mbeki's attempt to disregard the will of the majority of Zimbabweans… [Read Full Text]