GPA Negotiators to meet on Friday

The Global Political Agreement (GPA) negotiators are scheduled to meet in Harare tomorrow to prepare for a meeting that will be held between SADC facilitator, President Jacob Zuma of South Africa and the three GPA principals.

President Zuma's facilitation team, which comprises of Lindiwe Zulu, Mac Maharaj and Charles Nqakhula, is expected in the country late this Thursday or early Friday for talks with the local negotiating teams of Zanu PF, MDC-T and the Welshman-led MDC.

The three parties have been holding talks since 2008 seeking to resolve issues relating to the formation of the inclusive government, its operations as well as those standing in the way of its smooth running after its formation.

While Zanu PF has insisted on the removal of sanctions which are hindering full economic recovery as the number one outstanding issue, the MDC formations have continued to raise new issues at every sitting including the so called security sector reforms.

However, President Robert Mugabe has said there will not be any reforms in that sector as the country has one of the most professional forces that continue to serve the world professionally in United Nations' missions.

At its last meeting to review the progress on the implementation of the GPA since the SADC Summit held in Angola, Zanu PF chief negotiator, Patrick Chinamasa said the constitution making process has been slow and accused MDC-T of stalling progress by backtracking on previously agreed positions.

MDC-T chief negotiator, Mr Tendai Biti confirmed the Friday meeting.