Despite some signs of tentative optimism on the part of parties to the Zimbabwe negotiations, and despite Thabo Mbeki's best efforts, Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF and the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) do not seem any closer to approaching a deal than they have at any other point in the past month. ZANU-PF appears unwilling to yield, which is not at all surprising, andone wonders what would compel them to do so, especially now that the global focus seems far removed from Harare. Mugabe had to know that once the election turmoil abated there would be little need for him to make concessions. Until external pressure comes to bear Mugabe is likely simply to hold firm until MDC caves and sheepishly allows Mugabe to announce an agreement with few changes and no tangible provisions for a ZANU-PF transition from power.
