ZIMBABWE: WHITE FARM LEADERS MEET PRESIDENT MUGABE

English/Nat White farmers leaders have met Zimbabwe's president Robert Mugabe and leaders of the war veterans who have been occupying their farms. The meeting took place against the tense background of violence, deaths and political posturing. On Tuesday, a white farmer was shot and killed in an organized attack by assailants toting assault rifles. On Saturday, two MDC members were killed in a firebombing and farmer David Stevens, a known MDC supporter, was slain by ruling party supporters. For the first time all sides in the Zimbabwe land dispute engaged in a face to face meeting. White farmers leaders arrived at the presidential residence to meet the leaders of war veterans who are squatting on their land. Commercial Farmers Union director David Hasluck, president Tim Henwood and Zimbabwe Tobacco Association chief Richard Tate met Mugabe and veterans leader Chenjerai Hunzvi. The talks are vital to diffuse tension felt on the streets of Harare and on white owned land throughout the country. Tuesday's murder of a second white farmer and death threats received by other white families has created a climate of fear amongst white Zimbabweans. On Wednesday farm union officials advised farmers to evacuate their wives and children from their land in the western province of Matabeleland, where Martin Olds was killed on Tuesday, and the neighbouring province of Midlands. Wednesday's meeting was also attended by the leader of Zimbabwe war veterans Chenjerai Hunzvi. SOUNDBITE: (English) " I'm very happy that we have managed to meet at last after 104 years of blacks and whites not meeting. But I'm not talking of that now. We are Zimbabweans and we have agreed to work to see that there is a solution. What we have agreed is that the hostilities should cease and we should work towards a solution." SUPER CAPTION: Chenjerai Hunzvi, War Veterans Leader Speaking after the meeting Mugabe ruled out any immediate withdrawal of war veterans from white-owned farms. SOUNDBITE: (English) "What are the farmers prepared to do ? What land are they prepared to yield at the moment , so those on farms that want to withdraw can then withdraw onto new land. So that question has to be answered. So therefore there's no withdrawal in the meantime." SUPER CAPTION: Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwean President However a farmer's leader said he the meeting was productive and paved the way for further dialogue. SOUNDBITE: (English) "I just want to say that we have had a good meeting with our President and the war veterans and we have seen each others side and discussed each others problems. And I believe that in the interests of National security we will be able to get to a result that is satisfactory. And we have agreed to meet again and we will have further discussions" SUPER CAPTION: Tim Henwood, President Commercial Farmers Union SOUNDBITE: (English) "And if the war veterans can pledge themselves not to interfere with them. I don't see any reason why they should fear to go back" SUPER CAPTION: Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwean President War veterans leader Hunzvi said he was certain of the links between the opposition party the Movement for Democratic Change and white farmers. SOUNDBITE: (English) "The extension of anger has been growing and I think the relationship between the commercial farmers and the MDC is very clear. Some of them are even on the executive." SUPER CAPTION: Chenjerai Hunzvi, War Veterans Leader You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/52147c4a55ec242594bbf5b6417511f0 Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork