2 July 2003
MDC welcomes all initiatives to resolve the Zimbabwean crisis
The MDC welcomes and fervently supports all regional, continental and international efforts designed to chart a peaceful course towards the resolution of the crisis of governance in Zimbabwe.
Since Zanu PF scuttled inter-party dialogue in April 2002, there has been no political dialogue between the MDC and Zanu PF. Any assertions to the contrary are totally false.
For over three years, the Mugabe regime has sustained a programme of state sponsored violence buttressed by draconian and unjust laws both of which closed all the avenues for a peaceful political engagement.
The starting point for a resumption of dialogue must be an unconditional acceptance by the Mugabe regime to discharge key critical responsibilities that are associated with any de facto administration.
In this regard, the regime must immediately restore the rule of law and in particular, repeal the Public Order and Security Act, the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, disband the infrastructure of violence and put an end to all forms of state sponsored violence.
This must be followed by an announcement by Mugabe to exit from active politics in Zimbabwe.
It is in the context of this demonstration of sincerity by the regime that dialogue can meaningfully begin.
The MDC position on the way forward is quite clear. The issues for dialogue must be determined, shaped and conditioned by the interests of Zimbabweans and the realities of the Zimbabwean political situation.
The focus of the political dialogue must be to arrive at agreed measures designed to put in place a democratic political terrain that would facilitate the holding of a free and fair presidential poll.
Such agreed negotiated measures must be implemented, monitored and verified by both the MDC and Zanu PF, local, regional and international observers.
Morgan Tsvangirai
President
SEARCH Foundation, Rm 610, 3 Smail St, BROADWAY NSW 2007. Ph: +61 2 9211 4164; Fax: +61 2 9211 1407. Web: www.search.org.au
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