Bob's bizarre speech stuns world
http://www.thetimes.co.za
Nutty Staff Re****ters Published:Sep 16, 2008
Zim cabinet still to be decided
THE signing of an historic power-sharing agreement in Zimbabwe
yesterday was marred by a rambling, sometimes incoherent speech by
President Robert Mugabe.
a.. It was clear from his speech that the formation of an inclusive
government - the parties begin horse- trading today - will not be
smooth sailing.
From accusing the opposition of using violent means to take power, to
taking a dig at Botswana President Ian Khama - one of the few African
leaders to have criticised Mugabe openly - it was a vintage performance
by the octogenarian.
At one point, Morgan Tsvangirai, who will be Zimbabwe's prime minister,
looked both exasperated and bemused by Mugabe's antics on stage.
By contrast, Tsvangirai focused on unity and rebuilding Zimbabwe's
shattered economy in his speech.
Tsvangirai quoted Mugabe's exhortation that Zimbabweans "turn swords
into ploughshares", when the country achieved independence in 1980 and
appealed to Zimbabweans to "invent a common future."
But Mugabe's speech drew giggles from soldiers behind him on the
podium.
Commenting on President Thabo Mbeki's role as mediator, Mugabe said: "I
wish I was young again and proposing to girls. I would say, give me
some tips. He [Mbeki] never accepts no for an answer."
And, on noting Khama's presence at the signing ceremony, Mugabe,
referring to Khama's public statements on the situation in Zimbabwe,
said: "I will never attack an African leader in public."
He then went on to chant: "Botswana, Botswana, Botswana! Ooooooh."
Turning his attention to matters of state, Mugabe noted: "Democracy in
Africa. It's a difficult proposition, because always the opposition
will want much more than what it deserves. The opposition will want to
be the ruling party and it will devise ways and means of getting there.
Including violence."
This statement caused a bit of an uproar in the hall and Mugabe
explained that he was not just talking about Tsvangirai's Movement for
Democratic Change, but the continent broadly.
At one point, Mugabe said of Tsvangirai: "This man has no respect ...
he said no to the King." He was referring to Tsvangirai's refusal to
sign an earlier version of the deal last month, even after Swaziland
King Mswati III appealed to him to do so.
When Mugabe launched into his now-legendary anti-West rhetoric,
Tsvangirai put his hands over his closed eyes and cringed. Yesterday's
performance by Mugabe brings into sharp focus the difficulties
Tsvangirai will face in forming a new, inclusive government with
Mugabe's Zanu-PF and the smaller MDC faction led by Arthur Mutambara.
Tsvangirai won the first round elections in March, but failed to
capture the required majority to become president.
In terms of the deal, Zimbabwe's new cabinet will comprise 31 ministers
with Mugabe's Zanu-PF being allocated 15 seats and Tsvangirai's MDC
getting 13.
The remaining three positions will go to Mutambara's faction.
But the agreement does not stipulate how cabinet ****tfolios will be
allocated and government spokesman Patrick Chinamasa said the three
leaders will start horse trading today.
The negotiations will also include the allocation of deputy ministerial
positions - eight of which are to go to Zanu-PF, 6 to the MDC and one
to Mutambara's nominee.
The agreement reads: "Ministers and deputy ministers may be relieved of
their duties after consultation among the leaders of all the political
parties participating in the inclusive government."
As president, Mugabe will chair cabinet meetings and appoint two
vice-presidents, among other responsibilities.
But he can only allocate ministerial ****tfolios after consulting
Tsvangirai, Mutambara and the two vice presidents.
Mugabe will no longer be able to dissolve parliament without
Tsvangirai's consent.
Tsvangirai will chair the council of ministers - which is made up of
cabinet ministers - and will act as the deputy chair in cabinet
meetings.
He will be overall in charge of government business in parliament and
oversee the implementation of government policies.
But most im****tantly, he is entitled to a seat on Mugabe's National
Security Council - whose members include senior army and police
officers.
The deal also makes provision for the adoption of a new Zimbabwean
constitution within 18 months and the holding of a referendum to test
the public's sup****t for that do***ent.
A parliamentary select committee composed of the three parties will be
established within the next two months to kick-start the
constitution-making process.
The current constitution will be amended to allow for the appointment
of a prime minister and his deputy.
Another talking point in the deal is land redistribution. In terms of
the agreement, Zimbabwe's former coloniser, Britain, has "to accept the
primary responsibility to pay compensation" to white Zimbabweans who
lost their farms during Mugabe's controversial land redistribution
programme.
The deal also urges an end to economic sanctions - said to be partly
responsible for the country's ongoing economic crisis.
Mbeki said the immediate priority was for Zimbabwe to improve its food
security. He said the Southern African Development Community and the
African Union would stand as guarantors for necessary aid and loans to,
and investment in, Zimbabwe.
He said the SADC and the AU would mobilise farm implements, seeds,
fertilizer and other inputs to assist Zimbabwe's agriculture to a
speedy recovery.
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