Zimbabwe constitution talks resume after chaos

By Nelson Banya

HARARE (Reuters) - Zimbabwe resumed a convention to draw up a new constitution on Tuesday after it was halted the on the first day following clashes between rival political parties that exposed tensions within a new unity government.

The conference descended into chaos on Monday, forcing riot police to break up clashes between delegates, underscoring the tensions within a unity government President Robert Mugabe formed with arch-rival Morgan Tsvangirai in February.

Mugabe and Tsvangirai condemned the clashes and said the conference would proceed.

On Tuesday, police were deployed inside the conference venue to avoid a repeat of Monday's trouble and authorities prevented several people without accreditation from entering.

"This conference will map out a course for the people of Zimbabwe to write their own constitution," Paul Mangwana, one of the conference co-chairmen from Mugabe's ZANU-PF party said at the start of the convention.

Zimbabweans hope a new charter, replacing one inked in 1979 before independence from Britain, will strengthen the role of parliament and curtail the president's powers, as well as guaranteeing civil, political and media freedoms.

The convention will select teams which will go around the country for the next four months to solicit views and ideas that will form the basis for the new constitution.

The conference is part of a process which should lead to the adoption of a new national constitution and fresh elections in about two years.