Zimbabwe deal on framework for formal talks

HARARE (Reuters) - Zimbabwe's political parties signed a deal on Monday laying down the framework for formal talks on forming a power sharing government to end a deep political crisis.

Below are excerpts from the memorandum of understanding, signed by President Robert Mugabe, opposition MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai, and Arthur Mutambara, leader of a smaller MDC faction. A copy of the agreement was released to the media.

"The Parties hereby declare and agree to commit themselves to a dialogue with each other with a view to creating a genuine, viable, permanent and sustainable solution to the Zimbabwean situation and, in particular, to implement this Memorandum of Understanding."

"It is envisaged that the Dialogue will be completed within a period of two weeks from the date of signing of this MOU."

"The parties shall refrain from negotiating through the media, whether through their representatives to the Dialogue or any of their Party officials.

"The Parties shall not, during the subsistence of the Dialogue, take any decisions or measures that have a bearing on the agenda of the Dialogue, save by consensus. Such decisions or measures include, but are not limited to, the convening of Parliament or the formation of a new government.

"Each Party will issue a statement condemning the promotion and use of violence and call for peace in the country and shall take all measures necessary to ensure that the structures and institutions it controls are not engaged in the perpetration of violence.

"The Parties are committed to ensuring that the law is applied fairly and justly to all persons irrespective of political affiliation.

"The Parties will take all necessary measures to eliminate all forms of political violence, including by non-state actors, and to ensure the security of persons and property."

"The Parties shall refrain from using abusive language that may incite hostility, political intolerance and ethnic hatred or undermine each other.

"The implementation of the Global Political Agreement that the Parties will conclude shall be underwritten and guaranteed by the Facilitator, SADC and the AU."