IFP, DA talk strategy
2003-09-15 23:55
Cape Town - Inkatha Freedom Party leader Mangosuthu Buthlezi and official opposition Democratic Alliance leader Tony Leon met in Cape Town on Monday to discuss their working agreement ahead of national elections next year.
In a statement released by both parties, they said the meeting was a
sequel to a similar meeting in Durban in December 2002 - and also follows a joint parliamentary caucus meeting of the parties last Thursday.
The parties said the meeting - held in Claremont - "reviewed the
encouraging progress in the establishment of the coalition for change and
made decisions and commitments regarding both structural and substantive issues necessary to give momentum to the coalition".
Among the agreements forged were that the two parties would form
governments - which effectively means at provincial level - "to share the
burden of governance whenever and wherever possible" and to exchange
resources to develop effective policy proposals on public debates.
The DA and IFP already have a cooperation agreement in municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal - the powerbase of IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi. The IFP have also included the DA in the provincial government in that province.
The two parties have established a number of joint structures including a permanent standing committee consisting of the two leaders and
representatives of each of the two parties which will foster communication and cooperation between the two parties and resolve any differences, disputes or divergence.
The two parties have formed the coalition - in which they will retain their separate identities - aimed at reducing the ANC's stranglehold of power.
The coalition has also been involved in talks with the Freedom Front led by Member of Parliament Pieter Mulder.