Zimbabwe's ZANU-PF, MDC call for end to violence

HARARE (Reuters) - Zimbabwe's ruling ZANU-PF and the opposition MDC on Wednesday called on their supporters to end political violence in the country, the most tangible sign of progress since power-sharing talks began two weeks ago.

ZANU-PF and the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) began power-sharing talks last month following President Robert Mugabe's re-election in a widely condemned June poll boycotted by the opposition.

In a joint statement, they urged "all our supporters and members and any organs and structures under the direction and control of our respective parties to stop and desist the perpetration of violence in any form".

The appeal to stop political bloodshed came as a South African newspaper reported that a draft agreement was being circulated aimed at ending Zimbabwe's political stalemate, which sparked much of the violence.

Nic Borain, a South Africa-based political consultant at HSBC Securities, interpreted the joint statement as a sign that both sides understand they need a practical end to the crisis.

"I think we've got to accept that both parties at this stage would realistically be looking for solutions," he told Reuters.

"One way or another, ZANU-PF is in the process of committing itself to a process. It's busy committing itself to a process that will bind it to a legal, non-violent solution. In that sense, it should be significant."

Under the draft settlement reported in the newspaper, Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai would run the country while Mugabe would become ceremonial president.

PRESSURE

The two sides are under heavy international pressure, including from within Africa, to resolve a crisis that has ruined the once prosperous economy and flooded neighboring states with millions of refugees.

"The parties express their readiness to work individually and together in the ongoing dialogue to make public undertakings in ensuring the safety of any displaced persons and their safe return home," the joint statement said.

It also vowed to enable humanitarian and social welfare organizations to assist Zimbabweans, who are suffering from an economic meltdown.

The Star said the draft settlement would be the basis for talks between Mugabe and Tsvangirai in Harare on Thursday.

Zimbabwean government and MDC officials were not immediately available for comment on the newspaper report.

The draft document circulated among negotiators in Zimbabwe's power-sharing talks in South Africa also proposed an amnesty for Mugabe and others implicated in political crimes, said The Star.

The paper said there was no agreement yet but quoted unnamed sources as saying the rival parties were receptive to the draft.

According to the draft, Tsvangirai would head Zimbabwe as executive prime minister during a transitional period, appointing two deputies -- one from ZANU-PF and the other from the MDC.

But The Star said the MDC wants a 24-30 month transitional period, while ZANU-PF wanted a five-year period.

The opposition says only Tsvangirai can lead a new government because he won a first-round presidential vote in March before pulling out of the June 27 run-off because of violence he says killed 122 of his supporters.

ZANU-PF has said it will not accept any deal that fails to recognize Mugabe's re-election.

(Additional reporting by Marius Bosch and Phakamisa Ndzamela in Johannesburg, editing by Michael Georgy)