According to information posted by WikiLeaks, in November 2000 at the height of the chaotic farm invasions and the emergence of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), Tsvangirai had a meeting with the then US assistant secretary of state Susan Rice.

In the meeting, Tsvangirai claimed that regional leaders, the military and Mugabe's own Zanu-PF were keeping him in power. If they all turned their backs he (Mugabe) would be powerless.

At that point he spoke about his failed effort to get Mandela - who arguably is the most celebrated statesman in the SADC region, with the biggest international appeal - to assist.

"Tsvangirai mentioned that on his last visit to South Africa, he met with former president Mandela - and he urged the leader to intervene in Zimbabwe. He did not receive a firm commitment from Mandela, however, and did not see (former South African president Thabo) Mbeki. Zambian President (Frederick) Chiluba has been distant with the MDC," the cable reads.

Tsvangirai has been getting the cold shoulder from regional leaders for most of his political career. Most recently he was snubbed at an SADC meeting held in Botswana.

Most of the parties in power in the region have a liberation struggle background, whereas the MDC is viewed as pro-white and born of a post-colonial workers' union.

When asked on the way forward Tsvangirai said: "The military is one of the three major influences on Mugabe. The other two are Zanu-PF and regional leaders. If Mugabe is to be pressured to leave the scene, all three must turn against him," reads the cable.

Tsvangirai's analysis proved to be true.

The army has been a vital cog in the Mugabe bandwagon. High-ranking army officials are on record as saying they will refuse to salute or co-operate with Tsvangirai, as they accuse him of wanting to take Zimbabwe back to the whites.

The army also helped Mugabe cling on to power after he lost the first round of presidential elections, the results of which went unknown for months.

Soldiers carried out terror campaigns during the run-up to the June 2008 presidential run-off, which Tsvangirai pulled out of.

Mugabe has managed to balance his power games at party level, where reports have been surfacing of serious divisions and possible revolts.

However, none of them has borne any fruit yet - hence Mugabe's continued stay at the helm of Zanu-PF.

Mbeki's quiet diplomacy and President Jacob Zuma's efforts have been criticised as being sensitive to Mugabe's interests.

The cable communications say: "Tsvangirai was frank, confident and relaxed. However, he did not convince us that the MDC has a clear or well-thought-out plan for a mass action or what it would accomplish. His comments suggested that the MDC is pinning hope on internal Zanu-PF machinations to force Mugabe from power," said Rice in her comment

By The Times (SA)