Secret Deal for Mugabe to Quit Floated By Zimbabwe Officials

Mediators acting for top government officials have floated the idea that President Robert Mugabe would retire in return for immunity from prosecution, Zimbabwe's opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, disclosed last night.

Mr Tsvangirai said he had talked with independent mediators on behalf of the house speaker, Emmerson Mnangagwa, and armed forces chief of staff, General Vitalis Zvinavashe. "They wanted my assurance that if Mugabe retired, [the Movement for Democratic Change, Zimbabwe's opposition party] would take part in a transition towards new democratic elections."

Gen Zvinavashe and Mr Mnangagwa, seen as Mr Mugabe's heir apparent, are two of the most powerful ruling Zanu-PF politicians.

Mr Tsvangirai said the ap proach was made because they said they realise Mr Mugabe "is the main stumbling block".

"They said Mugabe must step down before we can find solutions to our economic decline and the hunger, among many other problems."

Mr Tsvangirai named retired Zimbabwean army Colonel Lionel Dyke, a close associate of both men, as a mediator.

The mediators said the two Zanu-PF leaders would secure Mr Mugabe's retirement to regain some international legitimacy for the country and renew aid and investment.

Mr Tsvangirai thought that Mr Mnangagwa and Gen Zvinavashe had tried to set up talks because there is no clear Mugabe successor. "Clearly, the succession issue has not been concluded and they were trying to position themselves."

Despite the apparent promise that Mr Mugabe would step down, the opposi tion leader turned down the mediators' suggestions.

"I rejected that exploratory approach because we in Zimbabwe need open, transparent discussions to lead us back to democracy. We cannot accept preconditions set up in secret deals," he said. "There will be other approaches because negotiation is the only way to bring an end to our crisis."

Mr Tsvangirai's MDC held direct talks with Zanu-PF last year. The talks quickly broke down but Mr Tsvangirai said he thought there was a good chance for their renewal. Mr Tsvangirai said talks could determine how Mr Mugabe would step down and the establishment of a transitional coalition government leading to free and fair elections.

Issues to be considered include whether or not Mr Mugabe would be granted immunity from prosecution for alleged human rights abuses and whether he would be exiled. Mr Tsvangirai has stated many times that any power-sharing government would only be temporary.

Zanu-PF party officials were unavailable for comment. There has been no response from Mr Mugabe himself, who was scheduled to return to office today after a holiday.

Mr Mugabe, 78, who led the nation to independence in 1980, won a new six-year term in elections last March that independent observers said were deeply flawed.

Mr Tsvangirai indicated that his party is willing to soften its calls for Mr Mugabe to be put on trial for alleged crimes in order to get the president to retire. "Circumstances dictate behaviour," said Mr Tsvangirai. "The country is on its knees."

Britain's shadow foreign secretary, Michael Ancram, said: "Anything that shows any movement in relation to ending Mugabe's evil regime must be greeted with cautious welcome."

Mr Ancram said he wanted to know more about the suggested deal, particularly those concerning an end to the persecution of the Matabele, the displaced black farm workers, and the illegal land grabs.

"I obviously will wish to consult with opposition members in Zimbabwe before deciding whether this offer is genuine or cosmetic."

Prof Paul Wilkinson, an international relations expert from St Andrews University, said such a deal would be "extraordinary" if it happened.

But to be successful, he said, the move would need wider support, preferably from Mr Mugabe himself, or at least senior ministers and the ruling Zanu-PF party machine.