Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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September 17, 2008

Zimbabwe's Political Parties to Discuss Cabinet Posts
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1E3CAA0:A6F02AD83191E160BAE77F07E736558CB3350E090FE6A6E8&
 
Officials from President Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF party and opposition
Movement for Democratic Change say negotiators will meet soon 
Morgan Tsvangirai speaks at his home a day after signing of power
sharing deal which saw him becoming the new PM of Zimbabwe, 16 Sep
2008Zimbabwe's main political parties are set to hold talks on the
allocation of Cabinet posts in a new unity government. Officials from
President Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF party and the opposition Movement for
Democratic Change (MDC) say negotiators will meet soon, though they
expressed doubt the talks will happen Wednesday. On Monday, Mr. Mugabe
agreed to give up some power for the first time in his 28-year rule,
signing a power-sharing deal with main MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai and
the head of a smaller opposition faction, Arthur Mutambara. Under the
deal, Tsvangirai will become prime minister, while Mr. Mugabe will
remain president and preside over Cabinet meetings. The agreement aims
to end months of political deadlock stemming from disputed elections and
state-sponsored attacks on opposition activists. In an interview
published by Britain's!
  Guardian Wednesday, Tsvangirai said some senior members of Mr.
Mugabe's party could be tried for the violence. Tsvangirai said he does
not think Mr. Mugabe himself can be held accountable. Many Zimbabweans
say they hope the power-sharing deal will lead to an improvement in
living standards. The country is suffering from food shortages and an
annual inflation rate of 11 million percent. Foreign donors have said
they want to study the agreement and see if Tsvangirai is allowed to
assert real authority before committing new funds and programs to help
Zimbabwe. Some information for this report was provided by AFP and
Reuters.


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