Mandela anxious for agreement

Sources close to the mediation said there had been much behind-the-scenes wrangling prior to the resumption of the talks. Mandela was reportedly unhappy that the draft peace accord had not been finalised in time for signature on 20 July - despite the fact there was, as yet, no consensus on the main issues of transition, amnesty, restructuring the army or implementation of the agreement - and he was pushing to ensure that the 28 August date was adhered to. Diplomatic sources say Tanzania and Uganda firmly believe that the region cannot have two stalled peace processes - Lusaka and Arusha - and are insisting that time should be taken to reach a tenable agreement, rather than one which would unravel at the earliest opportunity.