Zimbabwe government officials say the African Union (AU) should not have appointed a mediator for talks between the government and the main opposition because such talks will not be taking place.
Tuesday's edition of Zimbabwe's state-run newspaper, the Herald, quotes information minister Chen Chimutengwende as saying the Zimbabwe government is under no obligation to meet with the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).
Mr. Chimutengwende tells the Herald that the Zimbabwe government does not recognize the MDC as an independent party. He says the MDC is the puppet party of what he calls Zimbabwe's foreign enemies.
Last week AU Chair and Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo appointed Mozambique's former President Joachim Chissano to mediate talks between Zimbabwe's ruling and opposition parties.
Some information for this report provided by AFP.