Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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July 19, 2008

Zimbabwe Moves to Formal Talks to End Political Crisis 
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1D4EBB1:A6F02AD83191E160EB30E663F8367573C030207A0BD70133&
 
South African president has agreed to accept help in his mediation
efforts from representatives of the African Union, United Nations,
Southern African Development Community 
Zimbabwe's ruling and opposition parties have moved closer to formal
negotiations on a power-sharing deal.Talks on ending the country's
ongoing political crisis had stalled, but it appears a key sticking
point has been resolved.Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai had insisted
another mediator join South African President Thabo Mbeki in efforts to
help solve Zimbabwe's political crisis.Mr. Tsvangirai had accused the
South African president of favoring Zimbabwe President Robert
Mugabe.South African President Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki (R) and Sudanese
President Omar El-Bashir, second (R) at the African Union Summit in
Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, 30 Jun 2008The South African president has
agreed to accept help in his mediation efforts from representatives of
the African Union, United Nations, and the Southern African Development
Community.Mr. Tsvangirai welcomed the move, which was announced after
Mr. Mbeki met on Friday with African Union and U.N. officials.Mr.
Tsvangirai has also insis!
 ted that conditions for formal negotiations include an end to violence
against his political supporters and the release of political
prisoners.Mr. Mugabe was re-elected last month in a widely-condemned,
run-off vote in which he was the only candidate.Mr. Tsvangirai dropped
out of the race after many his supporters were wounded, jailed or killed
in what he said was a state-sponsored campaign of intimidation.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP.


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