MDC calls for talks on fresh elections

A national conference of Zimbabwe's main opposition party at the weekend called for talks with the ruling ZANU-PF to agree a transitional constitution that would establish the conditions for free and fair elections. Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) delegates called for "a transitional constitution that guarantees an electoral regime which creates electoral conditions that are transparent, fair and just for the people to elect a government of their choice". These conditions include electoral law reforms, an end to political violence, and the repeal of controversial legislation that limit the right to assembly, and media freedoms. MDC secretary-general Welshman Ncube told IRIN on Monday that "the party welcomes all efforts to broker dialogue," a reference to last week's mediation initiative by South African President Thabo Mbeki, and on-going efforts by the church. However, Ncube warned that if President Robert Mugabe ignored the MDC's willingness to talk about transitional arrangements and constitutional reforms, "mass action" would follow. "The resolutions of the conference to use peaceful mass demonstrations as a possible resort to press demands for new elections clearly excludes MDC from accepting a government of national unity. Primarily was the need for engaging in dialogue for the purpose of creating conditions for free and fair elections through which the people can elect a legitimate government of their own choice," Ncube said. MDC and pro-democracy activists have staged a series of public protests against Mugabe's rule this year, but each time they were declared illegal and broken up by the police. "The only way to bring Mugabe to the table is through pressure, the other options have not been able to convince him to engage in formal talks. I think the most difficult issue is how to secure a transitional arrangement that will allow Mugabe to step down from power", Brian Raftopoulos, head of the pro-democracy NGO, Crisis in Zimbabwe Committee, told IRIN. IRIN was unable to reach Zimbabwean government officials for comment. Talks between ZANU-PF and the MDC broke down over the opposition's refusal to withdraw a court challenge to Mugabe's victory in presidential elections in March 2002. Diplomatic attempts to promote reconciliation, most recently by Mbeki, have aimed at creating the conditions for restarting inter-party dialogue.