DATE=2/1/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=MOZAMBIQUE POLITICS (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-258677
BYLINE=ALEX BELIDA
DATELINE=JOHANNESBURG
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: In Mozambique, the disgruntled leader of the
country's main opposition party is threatening a civil
disobedience campaign unless President Joachim
Chissano agrees to talks on power-sharing. Southern
Africa Correspondent Alex Belida reports the threat by
Renamo Party leader, Afonso Dhlakama, follows national
elections in December, which the opposition claims
were rigged in favor of Mr. Chissano's ruling Frelimo
Party.
TEXT: Mr. Dhlakama says his supporters will render
Mozambique ungovernable until President Chissano
agrees to negotiate a political agreement in the wake
of December's controversial elections.
Speaking at a rally of Renamo supporters in the
northern coastal city of Pemba, the opposition leader
is quoted by Radio Mozambique as saying - I will not
let him govern the country, I am challenging him. Mr.
Dhlakama is demanding a face-to-face meeting with the
President.
So far, there is no reported word of reaction from
President Chissano, who has been out of the country
attending U-N Security Council talks in New York and
the World Economic Forum in Switzerland.
But in his latest comments to reporters on
Mozambique's internal political situation, the
President indicated last week that he was not overly
concerned with Renamo's threats. He indicated that
included the possibility Renamo might form separate
provincial governments in several Northern and Central
Provinces where it won a confirmed majority of votes
in the December balloting.
Government-controlled Radio Mozambique reports Renamo
supporters have asked Mr. Dhlakama to designate new
governors for those provinces. The radio quotes the
Renamo leader as saying if President Chissano does
not hold talks with his party, he may do that.
Despite his civil disobedience threat, Mr. Dhlakama
has been careful to say he has no intention of leading
his supporters back to war -- a reference to the long
and bloody civil war that ravaged Mozambique and
pitted Renamo and Frelimo against one another on the
battlefield.
But the opposition leader has repeatedly made clear
his dissatisfaction over the outcome of December's
elections, charging Frelimo rigged the balloting to
give it a narrow victory. Renamo took its complaints
to the country's Supreme Court amid reports of voting
irregularities. But the Court, whose members are
appointed by the President, dismissed the protest and
validated the outcome.
Analysts and diplomats view Renamo's escalating
threats as a bargaining ploy aimed at giving the
opposition a measure of political power, especially in
its provincial strongholds. A top Frelimo official
has ruled out any form of power-sharing.
But new provincial governments have yet to be named,
leaving President Chissano some flexibility if he
wants to defuse the current political tensions.
(SIGNED)
NEB/BEL/GE/RAE
01-Feb-2000 09:32 AM EDT (01-Feb-2000 1432 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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