Military

DATE=8/5/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=ZIMBABWE / POLITICS (L-ONLY)

NUMBER=2-306196

BYLINE=PETA THORNYCROFT

DATELINE=HARARE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Hopes of dialogue between Zimbabwe's ruling Zanu P-F and the opposition faded Tuesday when both sides got into an argument over candidates for local elections. Peta Thornycroft reports from Harare.

TEXT: The opposition Movement for Democratic Change said Tuesday it had lost all trust in the ruling Zanu P-F party when it broke a gentlemen's agreement not to obstruct a court petition over local elections.

The dispute arose over an agreement that Zanu P-F would investigate why all opposition candidates in local elections in Chegutu, a small town in central Zimbabwe, were unable to register with nomination courts last month.

Several opposition candidates were attacked by what the M-D-C says were Zanu P-F militants while on the way to the nomination courts to register for the elections. Several candidates ended up in the hospital.

Last week the M-D-C applied for the nomination courts to be reopened and said it was led to believe Zanu P-F would not oppose such a move.

But instead, Zanu P-F's candidates, who were already declared winners because they were unopposed at the nomination court in Chegutu, filed papers Tuesday to challenge the M-D-C application.

Lawyers acting for the 11 M-D-C candidates said they hoped the dispute would go to court Wednesday. (Signed)

NEB/PT/MAR/MEM/RH