Amnesty plan for Zimbabwean Pres. Mugabe

Under a gracious exit plan, Robert Mugabe will become Zimbabwe's ceremonial president during the forthcoming transition, after which he will retire as the Founding President and father of the beleaguered nation, protected under a blanket amnesty.

According to a draft settlement, in the possession of The Star, Morgan Tsvangirai will run the country as the new executive prime minister in a transitional government that will pave the way for fresh elections in the future.

The 50-page plus draft was circulated between the two rivals when they circumnavigated the Pretoria talks two weeks ago and liaised indirectly with one another in Harare via intermediaries.

The draft agreement will also provide the basis of the face-to-face meeting between the two men in Zimbabwean capital tomorrow, which will be facilitated by South African President Thabo Mbeki.

Although there is still no deal on the table, sources say the parties are receptive to the draft.

According to the document, the leader of the Movement for Democratic Change will head the country through a period of transition.

While the MDC is pushing for a 24- or 30-month term, Mugabe's Zanu-PF is negotiating for five years. A compromise has still to be reached.