DATE=2/3/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=MOZAMBIQUE POLITICS (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-258791
BYLINE=ALEX BELIDA
DATELINE=JOHANNESBURG
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: In Mozambique, President Joachim Chissano has
ruled out negotiations on power-sharing with the
opposition Renamo party. And Renamo's leader, Afonso
Dhlakama, has said he will go ahead and form an
alternative government. V-O-A southern Africa
correspondent Alex Belida reports the political face-
off (confrontation) was triggered by Mozambique's
disputed December elections.
TEXT: President Chissano says he is willing to have
what he calls "a dialogue" with Renamo leader Afonso
Dhlakama in order to improve communications and avoid
what he acknowledges is "growing mistrust."
But in a speech in the capital, Maputo, on Thursday,
Mr. Chissano ruled out negotiations about including
the opposition in his government, saying the only
topic for any discussions will be how to improve the
welfare of the Mozambican people.
Mr. Chissano's remarks, broadcast on state-controlled
Radio Mozambique, coincided with fresh claims by
Renamo that the ruling Frelimo Party stole last
December's closely contested national elections.
In a separate speech reported by Radio Mozambique,
Renamo leader Dhlakama asserted the opposition will
form its own government unilaterally in the six
northern and central provinces where it won a
confirmed majority of votes. He told a Renamo rally -
- in his words - "If I do not show courage, I am
afraid we would have to say goodbye to democracy."
Mr. Chissano appears undaunted by such threats. He
said Thursday he was not worried by Mr. Dhlakama's
statements. He also said he did not believe the
Mozambican people would accept a split of the country
and what he described as "political chaos."
Some analysts and diplomats have suggested one way out
of the current confrontation would be for the
president to give Renamo key positions in the
governments of the provinces that are opposition
strongholds.
However Mr. Chissano appeared to rule out that
possibility, suggesting in his speech that it would be
"absurd" to appoint regional officials who are not
allied with the Frelimo-led central government.
(Signed)
NEB/BEL/JWH/JP
03-Feb-2000 13:44 PM EDT (03-Feb-2000 1844 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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