Zimbabwean governance talks to begin soon

HARARE, Zimbabwe, July 22 (UPI) -- Talks on governance in Zimbabwe should begin soon, mediators say, now that an agreement on the talks' framework has been reached.

The pact says talks between Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF and Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai should be completed within two weeks, the BBC reported Tuesday. South African officials, who have been overseeing discussions, indicate the talks aimed at ending Zimbabwe's political crisis would begin immediately.

Negotiations, which will be in South Africa, are expected to focus on a possible power-sharing agreement, how to revive Zimbabwe's devastated economy and ending the political violence. Tuesday's signing ceremony outlined the conditions under which the talks would be held.

EU officials said they extended sanctions against Mugabe's allies, imposing a travel ban and freezing assets of an additional 37 people besides the 131 already subject to the sanctions, the British broadcaster said.

Mugabe won a runoff election in June after Tsvangirai 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.