ZIMBABWE – HARARE – Negotiations to iron out outstanding issues to the GPA failed to take off after Zanu-PF co-negotiator Nicholas Goche failed to attend the meeting. MDC co-negotiator Mr Elton Mangoma confirmed the negotiators’ failure to resume their discussions.

“We failed to meet today (yesterday) after Goche failed to attend the meeting. I don’t know as to when we are going to resume the dialogue,” said Mr Mangoma.

Goche could not be contacted for comment late last night. The negotiations called by the Sadc Organ on Politics, Defence and Security meeting in Maputo last year were adjourned in December after considerable progress had been reported.

Principals to the GPA – President Mugabe, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara – agreed on the membership of the Zimbabwe Media Council, Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission and Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.

However, Zanu-PF and the MDC are at loggerheads over the appointment of Reserve Bank GovernorGideon Gono and Attorney General Mr Johannes Tomana. Zanu-PF has called the MDC to add itsvoice against illegal sanctions imposed by the West, external interference in Zimbabwe’s affairs and the disbanding of pirate radio stations operating from Botswana and Madagascar.

MDC is calling for swearing in of its agriculture deputy minister-designate Roy Bennett but Zanu-PF insists he has to be cleared of criminal charges he is facing in the High Court.

By Zimnet Radio