Sides agree on Zimbabwe talks framework

HARARE, Zimbabwe, July 21 (UPI) -- Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe and former presidential candidate Morgan Tsvangirai Monday agreed on a framework for peace talks.

South African foreign affairs spokesman Ronnie Mamoepa said opposition leader Arthur Mutambara also signed the memorandum of understanding following meetings directed by South African President Thabo Mbeki, AllAfrica.com reported.

The agreement sets guidelines on consultations between Zimbabwean Mugabe's Zanu-PF party and the Movement for Democratic Change party, Voice of America reported Monday.

Mugabe won a runoff election in June after Tsvangirai, who heads the MDC, withdrew from the race because of escalating violence and intimidation in the months leading up to the election. MDC officials claim as many as 80 of its supporters were killed by Mugabe loyalists. Many world leaders have called Mugabe's election a sham.

Glen Mpani, with the Center for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation in Cape Town, South Africa, says MDC officials should view the talks with with cautious optimism.

"The signing of the memorandum of understanding or a framework in which the talks can be held between the MDC political party and the ruling party ZANU-PF is a step in the right direction ...," Mpani told VOA. "But I think we should be cautious about this process because it is only a start ..."