Date:26/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/26/stories/2008092656071600.htm

International

Mugabe urges West to lift curbs

Ready to implement power-sharing deal with Prime Minister Tsvangirai, he says

UNITED NATIONS: Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe said on Wednesday he sees no obstacles to carrying out a power-sharing agreement with rivals and hopes it would lead the West to ease sanctions, which he blamed for devastating the country’s economy.

In an interview, Mr. made it clear he is determined to remain President despite what he said were efforts by Britain and the U.S. to oust him. “They are waiting for a day when this man, this evil man, called Robert Mugabe is no longer in control,” he said, adding: “And I don’t know when that day is coming.”

So he has no thoughts of resigning? “No — or a thought of dying,” he chuckled.

He dismissed reports that the 15 power-sharing deal could fall apart “because I don’t know of any hitch.” Under the agreement, Mr. Mugabe remains President but is supposed to cede some of the powers he has wielded for nearly three decades. Long-simmering and bitter differences as well as the nation’s economic collapse, though, have put the deal under intense pressure.

Mr. Mugabe said the only outstanding issue is deciding on four of the 31 Cabinet posts, and the negotiations are continuing in Harare. He declined to say which posts are still being discussed. “Every one of us is actually positive about the agreement, or the need to cement the agreement and make it work.".

“I don’t see any reason why we can’t work together as Zimbabweans,” he said, adding: “We are all sons of the soil, as we say, and the differences arise purely from own conceptions of what Zimbabwe should be and what the government of Zimbabwe should be.”

Mr. Mugabe also said he was willing to share power with opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who would become Prime Minister under the agreement, leading a Council of Ministers responsible for government policies and reporting to a Cabinet headed by Mr. Mugabe. Still, Mr. Mugabe did not spell out who would have the final say if there was a major disagreement.

He described the government as a pyramid with the President at the top, but he said “the President never settles on the matter alone,” and always works with the Vice-Presidents. — AP