700,000 HOMELESS FOR 600 SOLDIERS!

Envoy named for Zimbabwean talks.

Robert Mugabe says the opposition are British "stooges".Former Mozambique President Joaquim Chissano has been appointed to try and set up talks between the Zimbabwe government and opposition. He was named by the African Union just days after President Robert Mugabe appeared to rule out such talks. South Africa - and other countries - hope dialogue could ease Zimbabwe's economic and political problems. Meanwhile, Mr Mugabe has said he will give farmland to up to 6,000 members of the armed forces. This is the latest stage in his controversial land reform programme, which has seen some 4,000 white farmers driven from their land. On Monday, Mr Mugabe said the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) were British "stooges", so it was only worth talking to UK Prime Minister Tony Blair. "We tell all those calling for such ill-conceived talks to please stop misdirecting their efforts," he said.

Mr Chissano is one of the few African leaders to have stepped down voluntarily.
JOAQUIM CHISSANO
Born in Gaza province, 1939
Came to power in 1986, succeeding Samora Machel.
Oversaw transition from Marxism to free market; signed 1992 deal to end civil war.
Stepped down in February 2005He gave up power earlier this year after not contesting 2004 polls because he had already served the constitutional limit of two terms in office.

South Africa is considering giving an emergency loan to Zimbabwe, so it can repay its debts to the International Monetary Fund and avoid expulsion. Correspondents say President Thabo Mbeki might make any assistance conditional on Mr Mugabe agreeing to hold talks with the MDC.

Houses for soldiers.
In his speech to mark Defence Forces Day, Mr Mugabe also confirmed that some soldiers had already been given land, although he did not say how many. His critics have accused Mr Mugabe's government of giving land to its supporters to ensure their loyalty. A UN report said 700,000 were affected by housing demolitions"I understand that close to 6,000 members of the defence forces are still to benefit," Mr Mugabe said in a speech. "The responsible authorities are looking into the matter with a view to allocating land to these remaining deserving cadres," he said. Donors say the land reform programme has devastated Zimbabwe's economy, leading to shortages of food, fuel, foreign currency and rampant inflation and unemployment.

Mr Mugabe says land reform is needed to reverse colonial-era policies, under which black people were not allowed to own the most fertile land. He also said that some 600 soldiers would benefit from new houses to be built to replace those demolished in recent weeks under Operation Drive Out Rubbish. This move to knock down illegally-built houses and market kiosks has left some 700,000 people homeless or jobless, the United Nations says. It has been strongly condemned by the UN, donor countries and the opposition.