Zimbabwe says opposition plotting with West

By Cris Chinaka

HARARE (Reuters) - Zimbabwe's ruling ZANU-PF party on Thursday accused the main opposition MDC of plotting with President Robert Mugabe's Western foes to rob him of executive powers in post-election negotiations.

The accusations were made despite the clearest signs yet that the two sides could soon sign a power-sharing deal to end political turmoil that has worsened Zimbabwe's economic decline.

"We are facing the same problems in these talks that we have been facing with the MDC, they are trying to advance the interests of Western forces, particularly of Britain and the U.S.," said the ZANU-PF official.

"In respect of these talks, they are directly taking orders and advice from British and American diplomats here, orders to get a deal that strips President Mugabe of all power and makes him a ceremonial head of state."

The negotiations started after Mugabe's re-election unopposed in a June presidential poll that was boycotted by Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai and condemned around the world.

Mugabe said on Wednesday he was hopeful that a power-sharing deal could be signed on Thursday.

Tsvangirai also sounded an optimistic note, saying he had been told by South African President Thabo Mbeki that "very little work" was needed to finalise the deal.

MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa dismissed the ZANU-PF charges of collusion with the Western countries, which have imposed sanctions on Mugabe and his inner circle to try to force change.