Negotiations end for day, Tsvangirai, Mugabe comment

(14 Oct 2008) SHOTLIST 1. Journalists waiting 2. President of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Morgan Tsvangirai walking with members of his party 3. SOUNDBITE (English): Morgan Tsvangirai, President of the Movement for Democratic Change: "There was no conclusion to the discussions. We will continue tomorrow at 10:30 (am) (0830 GMT)." 4. Tsvangirai walking away 5. Arthur Mutambara, MDC faction leader walking out 6. SOUNDBITE (English): Arthur Mutambara, Movement for Democratic Change, faction leader: "We have had a very productive day, our discussions will continue tomorrow at 10.30 (am) (0830GMT)." (Question: Were they productive?) "Yes, they were productive, but we'll continue tomorrow. Thank you." 7. Mutambara walking away 8. President of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe and entourage walks out 9. SOUNDBITE (English): Robert Mugabe, President of Zimbabwe: " We are continuing tomorrow we have not finished yet. Well continuing tomorrow means we have covered some area." (Shot continues with Mugabe walking away) STORYLINE: Negotiations to try to salvage Zimbabwe's power-sharing agreement paused on Tuesday night, with parties saying progress had been made and talks would recommence in the morning. Former South African President Thabo Mbeki, who flew to Harare late on Monday, was mediating talks between President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai. Tsvangirai left the meeting at 9pm (1900 GMT), saying no conclusion had been reached and negotiations would continue on Wednesday. Mugabe left a little while later. "We have not finished," he said. "We have covered some ground." Mbeki brokered a September 15 deal between Mugabe and Tsvangirai to form a unity government. The opposition narrowly won March parliamentary elections. But over the weekend, Mugabe said his party would control all key ministries, prompting Tsvangirai to threaten to quit negotiations. The new 210-seat legislature that met Tuesday is the first controlled by the opposition since Zimbabwe gained independence in 1980. At Parliament's official opening ceremonies in August, many lawmakers jeered Mugabe. The speech Mugabe made then was debated in a lively session Tuesday, with legislators heckling each other. Mugabe was not present. Speakers addressed the need for the unity government to be formed so the country's humanitarian crisis can be addressed. Lawmakers will reconvene Wednesday, when legislation will be introduced that is necessary for the formation of the new government. The constitution needs to be changed to create the post of prime minister, which is supposed to be filled by Tsvangirai. Mugabe's party and the opposition have been unable to agree on the allocation of Cabinet posts. The power-sharing deal calls for the opposition to control 16 Cabinet seats and Mugabe's party 15. Mugabe's unilateral move to take control of key government ministries has been condemned by the European Union and the United States. An official list published on Saturday gave Mugabe's party portfolios for defence, home and foreign affairs, justice, mining and land, among others. The list assigned the opposition with minor ministries, such as constitutional affairs and water management. While Zimbabwe's politicians bicker, half the population, 5.1 (m) million people, faces starvation, two-thirds of children are out of school, and water shortages have led to deadly cholera outbreaks in three parts of the country, according to aid agencies. Zimbabwe is in economic meltdown, with the official inflation given as 231 (m) million percent, by far the highest in the world. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...