US embassy cable - 00HARARE2200

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 05 HARARE 002200 
 
SIPDIS 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 02        HARARE  02200  01 OF 05  221924Z 
STATE FOR AF A/S SUSAN RICE, DAS POWELL 
USUN FOR AMBASSADORS HOLBROOKE AND SODERBERG 
USUN/W FOR ORR 
STATE PASS DOD FOR OSD/PKHA/JSCHEAR 
NSC FOR GAYLE SMITH AND ERIC SCHWARTZ 
LONDON FOR PFLAUMER 
PARIS FOR BISA WILLIAMS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/22/10 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, PINR, CG, ZI 
SUBJECT: S/E WOLPE DISCUSSES DRC DISENGAGEMENT AND 
DISARMAMENT WITH ZIMBABWEAN FOREIGN MINISTER 
 
 
CLASSIFIED BY AMBASSADOR TOM MCDONALD, REASONS 1.5 
(B), (D) 
 
REFS: A) HARARE 2198 
 
1.  (C) SUMMARY:  ACCORDING TO THE ZIMBABWEAN FOREIGN 
MINISTER, THE APRIL 21 VICTORIA FALLS MEETING WAS 
DESIGNED AS A SUMMIT OF THE HEADS OF STATE OF THE 
EXTERNAL STATE ACTORS TO DISCUSS WAYS OF EXTRICATING 
THEMSELVES FROM THE CONGO.  THE CONGOLESE WERE NOT 
INVITED.  AT THE LAST MOMENT, DOS SANTOS COULD NOT 
ATTEND.  BECAUSE OF HIS PENDING INAUGURATION, KAGAME 
WAS ALSO ABSENT BUT HAD SENT BOTH HIS FOREIGN 
MINISTER AND EMMANUEL GASANA.  THE ZIMBABWEAN FOREIGN 
MINISTER DESCRIBED THE MEETINGS AS REMARKABLY FRANK 
AND FRIENDLY.  HE REPORTED THAT THE DISCUSSION 
CENTERED ON TWO ISSUES THAT WERE VIEWED AS CENTRAL TO 
A RESOLUTION OF THE DRC CONFLICT: THE DISARMAMENT OF 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 03        HARARE  02200  01 OF 05  221924Z 
THE EX-FAR/INTERHAMWE, AND THE MOUNTING OF THE 
SUCCESSFUL MASIRE-FACILITATED INTER-CONGOLESE 
DIALOGUE.  THE VIC FALLS PARTICIPANTS ALSO DISCUSSED 
WAYS OF SELF-ENFORCING THE KAMPALA CEASE-FIRE 
AGREEMENT PENDING SECOND PHASE MONUC DEPLOYMENT AND, 
IN PARTICULAR, OF INSURING THAT NEITHER STATE ARMIES 
NOR NON-SIGNATORY FORCES WOULD VIOLATE THE 30 
KILOMETER DEMILITARIZED ZONE.  END SUMMARY. 
 
2.  (C) ON APRIL 22,2000, S/E WOLPE, ACCOMPANIED BY 
LT. COL. GADDIS, SPECIAL ADVISOR PRENDERGAST, THE 
AMBASSADOR AND ECONOFF (NOTETAKER), MET FOR TWO HOURS 
WITH ZIMBABWEAN FOREIGN MINISTER STAN MUDENGE TO 
REVIEW RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE LUSAKA PEACE 
PROCESS AND THE RECENT POLITICAL DETERIORATION IN 
ZIMBABWE.  THE EXTENDED AND AT TIMES EMOTIONAL 
EXCHANGE ON ZIMBABWE'S DOMESTIC SITUATION IS REPORTED 
SEPTEL. 
 
--------------------------------------- 
WOLPE: LOCKING IN THE KAMPALA AGREEMENT 
--------------------------------------- 
 
3.  (C) WOLPE OPENED WITH A BRIEF DISCUSSION OF THE 
PURPOSE OF HIS CURRENT MISSION, MAKING THE FOLLOWING 
POINTS: 
 
-- ZIMBABWE WAS TO BE CONGRATULATED ON ITS ROLE IN 
BRINGING ABOUT THE RECENT KAMPALA CEASE- 
FIRE/DISENGAGEMENT AGREEMENT. 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 04        HARARE  02200  01 OF 05  221924Z 
-- THE USG RECOGNIZED THAT A SUSTAINABLE AGREEMENT 
REQUIRED GOOD FAITH EFFORTS ON ALL SIDES, AND THE 
CONTINUED ENCOURAGEMENT AND COMMITMENT OF THE 
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. 
 
-- THE USG WANTED TO DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO INSURE 
THAT THE MOMENTUM GENERATED BY THE KAMPALA AGREEMENTS 
WAS SUSTAINED.  IN HIS REGIONAL VISITS WOLPE WOULD BE 
STRESSING TO ALL PARTIES THE IMPORTANCE OF FULL 
COMPLIANCE WITH THESE AGREEMENTS.  HE ALSO WANTED TO 
EXPLORE POSSIBLE WAYS OF ACCELERATING FULL LUSAKA 
IMPLEMENTATION. 
 
--THE UPCOMING UNSC MISSION LED BY AMBASSADOR 
HOLBROOKE TO KINSHASA AND LUSAKA WAS SIMILARLY 
DESIGNED TO SUSTAIN THE NEW MOMENTUM.  THIS WAS A 
CRITICAL MISSION WHICH, IF IT COULD REPORT 
SUBSTANTIVE PROGRESS ON THE GROUND, WOULD SET THE 
STAGE FOR SECOND PHASE MONUC DEPLOYMENT. 
 
--THE USG WAS SEEKING NOT ONLY SHORT-TERM 
DISENGAGEMENT ON THE GROUND, BUT THE FULL 
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LUSAKA AGREEMENT.  NOTHING LESS 
THAN THE FULL RESTORATION OF CONGOLESE SOVEREIGNTY 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
                           CONFIDENTIAL     PTQ4189 
 
PAGE 01        HARARE  02200  02 OF 05  221924Z 
ACTION AF-00 
 
INFO  LOG-00   NP-00    ACQ-00   CIAE-00  SMEC-00  DINT-00  DODE-00 
      DOEE-00  DOTE-00  SRPP-00  DS-00    EB-00    EUR-01   FAAE-00 
      FBIE-00  VC-01    H-01     TEDE-00  INR-00   IO-00    L-00 
      AC-01    NSAE-00  OIC-02   OMB-01   OPIC-01  PA-00    PM-00 
      PRS-00   ACE-00   P-00     SP-00    TRSE-00  USIE-00  IIP-00 
      PMB-00   DSCC-00  DRL-02   G-00     NFAT-00  SAS-00   SWCI-00 
        /010W 
                  ------------------4EE925  221924Z /38 
P 221927Z APR 00 
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5816 
INFO USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 
NSC WASHDC PRIORITY 
AMEMBASSY KAMPALA 
AMEMBASSY KINSHASA 
AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 
AMEMBASSY LUANDA 
AMEMBASSY LUSAKA 
AMEMBASSY MAPUTO 
AMEMBASSY WINDHOEK 
AMEMBASSY KIGALI 
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 
AMEMBASSY LONDON 
AMEMBASSY PARIS 
 
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 02 OF 05 HARARE 002200 
 
SIPDIS 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 02        HARARE  02200  02 OF 05  221924Z 
STATE FOR AF A/S SUSAN RICE, DAS POWELL 
USUN FOR AMBASSADORS HOLBROOKE AND SODERBERG 
USUN/W FOR ORR 
STATE PASS DOD FOR OSD/PKHA/JSCHEAR 
NSC FOR GAYLE SMITH AND ERIC SCHWARTZ 
LONDON FOR PFLAUMER 
PARIS FOR BISA WILLIAMS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/22/10 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, PINR, CG, ZI 
SUBJECT: S/E WOLPE DISCUSSES DRC DISENGAGEMENT AND 
DISARMAMENT WITH ZIMBABWEAN FOREIGN MINISTER 
 
AND TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE. 
 
-------------------------------- 
THE TRUE STORY OF VICTORIA FALLS 
-------------------------------- 
 
3.  (C) FOLLOWING S/E WOLPE'S EXPLANATION OF THE 
PURPOSE OF HIS CURRENT MISSION TO REGIONAL CAPITALS 
-- TO STRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF FULL COMPLIANCE WITH 
THE RECENT CEASE-FIRE/DISENGAGEMENT AGREEMENTS 
REACHED AT KAMPALA, AND TO EXPLORE WITH REGIONAL 
LEADERS WAYS OF ACCELERATING THE FULL IMPLEMENTATION 
OF THE LUSAKA ACCORD -- MUDENGE GAVE A READ-OUT OF 
THE PREVIOUS DAY'S VICTORIA FALLS MEETING.  MUDENGE 
SAID THAT THE VIC FALLS GATHERING WAS THE OUTGROWTH 
OF CONVERSATIONS THAT HAD OCCURRED ON THE MARGINS OF 
THE CAIRO MEETING BETWEEN CHISSANO, DOS SANTOS, 
MUSEVENI, AND MUGABE.  ALL AGREED IT WAS TIME FOR THE 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 03        HARARE  02200  02 OF 05  221924Z 
EXTERNAL PARTIES TO SIT DOWN AND DISCUSS WAYS OF 
ENDING THE WAR AND GETTING OUT OF THE DRC.  ALL OF 
THE EXTERNAL LUSAKA SIGNATORIES -- BUT NO CONGOLESE - 
- WERE INVITED TO VICTORIA FALLS.  UNFORTUNATELY, AT 
THE LAST MINUTE DOS SANTOS COULD NOT COME.  KAGAME, 
WHO WAS DEALING WITH HIS INAUGURAL PREPARATIONS, 
APOLOGIZED FOR HIS ABSENCE, AND HAD SENT BOTH HIS 
FOREIGN MINISTER AND EMMANUEL GASANA.  KAGAME HAD IN 
FACT INDICATED HIS AVAILABILITY FOR AN EXTERNAL HEADS 
OF STATE MEETING IF IT WERE HELD ON A DIFFERENT DAY, 
BUT IT WAS DECIDED TO GO AHEAD AS SCHEDULED.  IT WAS 
MOZAMBICAN PRESIDENT CHISSANO (CURRENTLY THE HEAD OF 
SADC) WHO FACILITATED THE VIC FALLS DISCUSSION. 
 
4.  (C) MUDENGE SAID THE MEETING HAD NO AGENDA OTHER 
THAN A DISCUSSION OF WHAT WAS REQUIRED FOR ALL OF THE 
EXTERNAL PARTIES TO GET OUT OF THE CONGO.  HE 
DESCRIBED THE MEETING AS EXCEPTIONALLY FRANK AND 
FRIENDLY -- THE FRIENDLIEST SUCH GATHERING HE HAD 
EVER OBSERVED.  HE REGRETTED KAGAME'S ABSENCE -- 
WHICH HE EMPHASIZED WAS FOR "VERY UNDERSTANDABLE 
REASONS" -- BECAUSE HE WOULD HAVE LIKED THE RWANDAN 
PRESIDENT TO PERSONALLY EXPERIENCE THE REMARKABLE 
CANDOR AND POSITIVE ATMOSPHERICS OF THE SESSION. 
ACCORDING TO MUDENGE, ALL APPEARED INTENT ON BEING AS 
HONEST AS POSSIBLE, ON LAYING OUT THEIR BOTTOM LINES, 
ON FINDING A WAY OUT OF THE CONGO. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
THE FIRST BOTTOM LINE: THE DISARMAMENT OF THE EX- 
FAR/INTERHAMWE 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 04        HARARE  02200  02 OF 05  221924Z 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
5.  (C) MUDENGE SAID THAT THE DISCUSSION AMONG THE 
VIC FALLS PARTICIPANTS QUICKLY ZEROED IN ON WHAT WERE 
UNDERSTOOD TO BE THE TWO CENTRAL CONCERNS REQUIRING 
RESOLUTION: THE DISARMAMENT OF THE EX- 
FAR/INTERAHAMWE, AND THE INTER-CONGOLESE DIALOGUE. 
VARIOUS IDEAS WERE PUT ON THE TABLE, AND THE 
CONVERSATION GRADUALLY MOVED FROM A DISCUSSION OF 
MAXIMAL OBJECTIVES TO WHAT WAS IN FACT ACHIEVABLE. 
MUSEVENI AND THE RWANDANS, FOR EXAMPLE, INITIALLY 
FOCUSED ON THE NEED TO TRACK DOWN ALL EX- 
FAR/INTERAHAMWE FIGHTERS.  OTHERS, HOWEVER, ARGUED 
THIS WAS UNREALISTIC.  "NO ONE HAS THE CAPACITY TO 
HUNT DOWN THESE PEOPLE," MUDENGE ASSERTED.  HOWEVER, 
THREE OTHER PROPOSITIONS WERE DISCUSSED: 
 
-- THE NEED TO INDIVIDUALIZE THE CULPABILITY OF 
GENOCIDAIRES, AND TO END THE BLANKET LABELLING OF THE 
ENTIRE GROUP OF EX-FAR/INTERAHAMWE STILL IN THE DRC 
AS GENOCIDAIRES.  AS MUDENGE PUT IT, "IF WE KNOW THAT 
A SPECIFIC INDIVIDUAL STANDS ACCUSED OF GENOCIDE, 
THEN WE CAN COOPERATE TO INSURE THAT HE IS BROUGHT TO 
JUSTICE."  MUDENGE SAID THERE WAS NO ACTUAL 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
                           CONFIDENTIAL     PTQ4190 
 
PAGE 01        HARARE  02200  03 OF 05  221924Z 
ACTION AF-00 
 
INFO  LOG-00   NP-00    ACQ-00   CIAE-00  SMEC-00  DINT-00  DODE-00 
      DOEE-00  DOTE-00  SRPP-00  DS-00    EB-00    EUR-01   FAAE-00 
      FBIE-00  VC-01    H-01     TEDE-00  INR-00   IO-00    L-00 
      AC-01    NSAE-00  OIC-02   OMB-01   OPIC-01  PA-00    PM-00 
      PRS-00   ACE-00   P-00     SP-00    TRSE-00  USIE-00  IIP-00 
      PMB-00   DSCC-00  DRL-02   G-00     NFAT-00  SAS-00   SWCI-00 
        /010W 
                  ------------------4EE92B  221925Z /38 
P 221927Z APR 00 
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5817 
INFO USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 
NSC WASHDC PRIORITY 
AMEMBASSY KAMPALA 
AMEMBASSY KINSHASA 
AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 
AMEMBASSY LUANDA 
AMEMBASSY LUSAKA 
AMEMBASSY MAPUTO 
AMEMBASSY WINDHOEK 
AMEMBASSY KIGALI 
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 
AMEMBASSY LONDON 
AMEMBASSY PARIS 
 
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 03 OF 05 HARARE 002200 
 
SIPDIS 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 02        HARARE  02200  03 OF 05  221924Z 
STATE FOR AF A/S SUSAN RICE, DAS POWELL 
USUN FOR AMBASSADORS HOLBROOKE AND SODERBERG 
USUN/W FOR ORR 
STATE PASS DOD FOR OSD/PKHA/JSCHEAR 
NSC FOR GAYLE SMITH AND ERIC SCHWARTZ 
LONDON FOR PFLAUMER 
PARIS FOR BISA WILLIAMS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/22/10 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, PINR, CG, ZI 
SUBJECT: S/E WOLPE DISCUSSES DRC DISENGAGEMENT AND 
DISARMAMENT WITH ZIMBABWEAN FOREIGN MINISTER 
 
DISCUSSION OF THE CONCRETE MEANS OF SUCH COOPERATION. 
NOR WAS THERE ANY DISCUSSION OF THE KIVUS 
SPECIFICALLY OR OF SUCH NEAR-TERM ISSUES AS THE NEED 
TO END THE TRAINING AND SUPPLY OF NON-SIGNATORY 
FORCES. THESE SPECIFIC ISSUES WOULD HAVE TO BE 
DISCUSSED WITH KAGAME PRESENT. 
 
-- THE NEED FOR CONDITIONS TO BE CREATED INSIDE 
UGANDA, RWANDA AND BURUNDI THAT WOULD ALLOW THE 
LARGEST NUMBER OF THESE HUTU FIGHTERS TO RETURN HOME 
SAFELY. 
 
-- THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A BROADER CLIMATE OF PEACE 
AND CONFIDENCE IN THE GREAT LAKES REGION WOULD 
ULTIMATELY MAKE IT EASIER TO DEAL WITH THE EX- 
FAR/INTERAHAMWE PROBLEM. 
 
6.  (C) ASKED HOW THE RWANDANS HAD RESPONDED TO THESE 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 03        HARARE  02200  03 OF 05  221924Z 
POINTS, MUDENGE SAID THAT THE FOREIGN MINISTER TOOK 
CAREFUL NOTES BUT DID NOT COMMENT DIRECTLY.  MUDENGE 
AGAIN EXPRESSED HIS REGRET AT KAGAME'S ABSENCE, 
NOTING THAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN HELPFUL TO HAVE THE 
RWANDAN PRESIDENT'S PERSONAL REACTION. (MUDENGE ALSO 
EXPRESSED UNCERTAINTY AS TO WHO HIS PRIMARY RWANDAN 
INTERLOCUTOR WOULD BE IN THE AFTERMATH OF PATRICK 
MAZIMHAKA'S DEPARTURE FROM THE CABINET.  THE GOR MUST 
GROW ON ITS OWN, ACCORDING TO MUDENGE, AND INTERACT 
WITH OTHER COUNTRIES IN ITS OWN WAY; THIS CAN BE 
FRUSTRATING TO OTHERS, INCLUDING THE UGANDANS.) 
 
7.  (C) AT ONE POINT, MUDENGE SAID, NAMIBIAN 
PRESIDENT NUJOMA HALF JOKINGLY ("BUT ALSO HALF 
SERIOUSLY") PROPOSED THAT EX-FAR/INTERHAMWE COULD BE 
RESETTLED IN LAND-ABUNDANT NAMIBIA.  MUDENGE SAID 
THAT IN HIS VIEW THE RESETTLEMENT OF THESE ELEMENTS 
INSIDE THE DRC ITSELF WAS A NON-STARTER BECAUSE OF 
THE NEED TO DENY THE EX-FAR/INTERAHAMWE ACCESS TO THE 
RWANDAN BORDER; HOWEVER, LOCATIONS MORE DISTANT FROM 
RWANDA SHOULD BE CONSIDERED.  THE KEY, HE SAID, WAS 
THE NEED TO "SMASH THE SUPPORTIVE STRUCTURES" OF THE 
EX-FAR/INTERAHAMWE, SOMETHING WITH WHICH HE AND 
PATRICK MAZIMHAKA HAD AGREED AT THE TIME OF THE 
SIGNING OF THE LUSAKA AGREEMENT. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ------- 
THE SECOND BOTTOM LINE: THE INTER-CONGOLESE DIALOGUE 
--------------------------------------------- ------- 
 
8.  (C) THE SECOND CENTRAL ISSUE UPON WHICH THE VIC 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 04        HARARE  02200  03 OF 05  221924Z 
FALLS PARTICIPANTS FOCUSSED WAS THE NEED TO HAVE A 
SUCCESSFUL NATIONAL DIALOGUE THAT WOULD NOT BE 
OBSTRUCTED BY KABILA.  MUDENGE SAID THAT EVERYONE 
WOULD HAVE TO ACCEPT THE FACT THAT A DEEPLY 
SUSPICIOUS AND MISTRUSTFUL KABILA WOULD CONTINUE TO 
TRY TO DO HIS THING.  KABILA WAS ONE WHO INSISTED ON 
"TRUST AND VERIFY" AS HIS MODUS OPERANDI.  MUDENGE 
SAID IT WAS CASTRO THAT HAD ONCE OBSERVED THAT KABILA 
MAY NOT TRUST ANYONE, BUT THAT WAS VERY LIKELY WHY HE 
HAD SURVIVED ALL OF THOSE YEARS IN THE BUSH.  IN 
RESPONSE TO WOLPE'S QUERY AS TO HOW THE ALLIES WOULD 
DEAL WITH THE PROBLEMS OF NON-COMPLIANCE PRESENTED BY 
KABILA, MUDENGE INSISTED THAT THIS WOULD NOT BE A BIG 
PROBLEM. 
 
9.  (C) IT WAS ALSO AGREED BY THE VIC FALLS 
PARTICIPANTS THAT NATIONAL DIALOGUE FACILITATOR 
MASIRE HAD BEEN SENT INTO THE DRC "UNARMED" WITH 
REGARD TO DEALING WITH KABILA.  THE REGIONAL LEADERS 
RECOGNIZED THAT HAD NOT DONE ANYTHING TO HELP PREPARE 
FORMER BOTSWANA PRESIDENT MASIRE FOR HIS TASK, AND 
THEY INTENDED TO CORRECT THAT OVERSIGHT. 
 
------------------------------------- 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
                           CONFIDENTIAL     PTQ4191 
 
PAGE 01        HARARE  02200  04 OF 05  221925Z 
ACTION AF-00 
 
INFO  LOG-00   NP-00    ACQ-00   CIAE-00  SMEC-00  DINT-00  DODE-00 
      DOEE-00  DOTE-00  SRPP-00  DS-00    EB-00    EUR-01   FAAE-00 
      FBIE-00  VC-01    H-01     TEDE-00  INR-00   IO-00    L-00 
      AC-01    NSAE-00  OIC-02   OMB-01   OPIC-01  PA-00    PM-00 
      PRS-00   ACE-00   P-00     SP-00    TRSE-00  USIE-00  IIP-00 
      PMB-00   DSCC-00  DRL-02   G-00     NFAT-00  SAS-00   SWCI-00 
        /010W 
                  ------------------4EE92E  221925Z /38 
P 221927Z APR 00 
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5818 
INFO USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 
NSC WASHDC PRIORITY 
AMEMBASSY KAMPALA 
AMEMBASSY KINSHASA 
AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 
AMEMBASSY LUANDA 
AMEMBASSY LUSAKA 
AMEMBASSY MAPUTO 
AMEMBASSY WINDHOEK 
AMEMBASSY KIGALI 
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 
AMEMBASSY LONDON 
AMEMBASSY PARIS 
 
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 04 OF 05 HARARE 002200 
 
SIPDIS 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 02        HARARE  02200  04 OF 05  221925Z 
STATE FOR AF A/S SUSAN RICE, DAS POWELL 
USUN FOR AMBASSADORS HOLBROOKE AND SODERBERG 
USUN/W FOR ORR 
STATE PASS DOD FOR OSD/PKHA/JSCHEAR 
NSC FOR GAYLE SMITH AND ERIC SCHWARTZ 
LONDON FOR PFLAUMER 
PARIS FOR BISA WILLIAMS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/22/10 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, PINR, CG, ZI 
SUBJECT: S/E WOLPE DISCUSSES DRC DISENGAGEMENT AND 
DISARMAMENT WITH ZIMBABWEAN FOREIGN MINISTER 
 
MANAGING THE CEASE-FIRE WITHOUT MONUC 
------------------------------------- 
 
10.  (C) THE FOREIGN MINISTER SAID THAT MUCH 
CONVERSATION CENTERED ON HOW TO IMPLEMENT THE KAMPALA 
DECISION THAT THE COMBATANTS WOULD PULL BACK FIFTEEN 
KILOMETERS ON EITHER SIDE, SO AS TO ESTABLISH A 
THIRTY KILOMETER DEMILITARIZED ZONE.  IT WAS AGREED 
THAT THIS ZONE HAD TO BE TOTALLY FREE NOT ONLY OF 
STATE MILITARY FORCES BUT ALSO OF THE EX- 
FAR/INTERAHAMWE AND OTHER SUCH ELEMENTS..  EVERY 
PARTY HAD TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY THROUGH MECHANISMS 
SUCH AS THE RJMC'S OR JOINT PATROLS, FOR WHICH 
RESOURCES ARE NEEDED -- PARTICULARLY IF MONUC PHASE 
TWO DEPLOYMENT SHOULD BE FURTHER DELAYED.  MUDENGE 
NOTED THAT IT WAS STILL NECESSARY TO SECURE KABILA'S 
COOPERATION WITH THIS SELF-POLICING EFFORT. 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 03        HARARE  02200  04 OF 05  221925Z 
11.  (C) MUDENGE OBSERVED THAT THIS TASK OF SELF- 
POLICING WAS MADE MORE DIFFICULT BY THE CONTINUING 
REFUSAL OF RWANDA AND RCD-GOMA TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 
REGIONAL JMC'S.  ACCORDING TO MUDENGE, RWANDA AND THE 
RCD-GOMA HAVE BLAMED A LACK OF RESOURCES FOR THEIR 
NON-PARTICIPATION, AS WELL AS THEIR LACK OF FAITH IN 
SELF-MONITORING MECHANISMS.  BUT, WHATEVER THE 
REASON, IT WAS CAUSING DIFFICULTIES ON THE GROUND. 
PRENDERGAST AND WOLPE UNDERTOOK TO DISCUSS THIS 
SUBJECT IN KIGALI. 
 
12.  (C) MUDENGE SAID THAT ALL OF THE LEADERS AT 
VICTORIA FALLS PROFESSED CURRENT SATISFACTION WITH 
THE CEASE-FIRE OBSERVANCE.  ACCORDING TO MUDENGE, THE 
ONLY NEGATIVE NOTE WAS SOUNDED BY ZIMBABWEAN DEFENSE 
MINISTER MAHACHI WHO CLAIMED THAT THERE HAD BEEN AN 
ATTACK ON IKELA AFTER THE APRIL 14 CEASE-FIRE 
IMPLEMENTATION DATE.  MUSEVENI SAID HE THOUGHT 
MAHACHI MAY HAVE BEEN REFERRING TO AN ATTACK THAT HAD 
OCCURRED PRIOR TO THE CEASE-FIRE DEADLINE.  MAHACHI, 
HOWEVER, INSISTED THAT THERE WAS A LATER ATTACK THAT 
WAS A VIOLATION OF THE CEASE-FIRE AGREEMENT. 
 
----------------------------- 
IT'S THE ATMOSPHERICS, STUPID 
----------------------------- 
 
13.  (C) THE VICTORIA FALLS PARTICIPANTS DID NOT 
REACH ANY FORMAL DECISIONS, THE FOREIGN MINISTER 
SAID.  BUT THAT WAS NOT THE PURPOSE OF THE GATHERING. 
RATHER, IT WAS DESIGNED TO BUILD THE CONFIDENCE 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 04        HARARE  02200  04 OF 05  221925Z 
NECESSARY AMONG THE EXTERNAL PARTIES TO MOVE FORWARD 
ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LUSAKA AGREEMENT.  IF 
THERE IS RAPPORT AMONG THE EXTERNAL PARTIES, MUDENGE 
SAID, KABILA WILL HAVE TO GO ALONG.  "I BELIEVE WE 
(THE EXTERNAL PARTIES) CAN BE CONSTRUCTIVE FOR THE 
DRC."  STRESSING THE EXCELLENT ATMOSHPERICS OF THE 
VIC FALLS MEETING, MUDENGE ADDED THAT THOSE WHO HAD 
TURNED UP HAPPENED TO BE PARTICULARLY COMFORTABLE 
WITH ONE ANOTHER.  THE VICTORIA FALLS PARTICIPANTS 
AGREED THAT CHISSANO WOULD REPORT ON THEIR MEETING TO 
ZAMBIAN PRESIDENT CHILUBA WHO WILL THEN BE ASKED TO 
CONVENE A LARGER MEETING OF ALL OF THE LUSAKA 
PARTIES. 
 
------- 
COMMENT 
------- 
 
14.  (C) FROM MUDENGE'S READ-OUT, IT WOULD APPEAR 
THAT THE EXTERNAL STATE ACTORS IN THE DRC CONFLICT 
ARE, AT LAST, BEGINNING TO TAKE COLLECTIVE OWNERSHIP 
FOR ADDRESSING THE TWO CORE ISSUES UNDERLYING THE 
GREAT LAKES CRISIS: THE SECURITY THREAT POSED TO 
RWANDA AND UGANDA BY CONGOLESE-BASED EX- 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
                           CONFIDENTIAL     PTQ4192 
 
PAGE 01        HARARE  02200  05 OF 05  221925Z 
ACTION AF-00 
 
INFO  LOG-00   NP-00    ACQ-00   CIAE-00  SMEC-00  DINT-00  DODE-00 
      DOEE-00  DOTE-00  SRPP-00  DS-00    EB-00    EUR-01   FAAE-00 
      FBIE-00  VC-01    H-01     TEDE-00  INR-00   IO-00    L-00 
      AC-01    NSAE-00  OIC-02   OMB-01   OPIC-01  PA-00    PM-00 
      PRS-00   ACE-00   P-00     SP-00    TRSE-00  USIE-00  IIP-00 
      PMB-00   DSCC-00  DRL-02   G-00     NFAT-00  SAS-00   SWCI-00 
        /010W 
                  ------------------4EE931  221925Z /38 
P 221927Z APR 00 
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5819 
INFO USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 
NSC WASHDC PRIORITY 
AMEMBASSY KAMPALA 
AMEMBASSY KINSHASA 
AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 
AMEMBASSY LUANDA 
AMEMBASSY LUSAKA 
AMEMBASSY MAPUTO 
AMEMBASSY WINDHOEK 
AMEMBASSY KIGALI 
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 
AMEMBASSY LONDON 
AMEMBASSY PARIS 
 
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 05 OF 05 HARARE 002200 
 
SIPDIS 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 02        HARARE  02200  05 OF 05  221925Z 
STATE FOR AF A/S SUSAN RICE, DAS POWELL 
USUN FOR AMBASSADORS HOLBROOKE AND SODERBERG 
USUN/W FOR ORR 
STATE PASS DOD FOR OSD/PKHA/JSCHEAR 
NSC FOR GAYLE SMITH AND ERIC SCHWARTZ 
LONDON FOR PFLAUMER 
PARIS FOR BISA WILLIAMS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/22/10 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, PINR, CG, ZI 
SUBJECT: S/E WOLPE DISCUSSES DRC DISENGAGEMENT AND 
DISARMAMENT WITH ZIMBABWEAN FOREIGN MINISTER 
 
FAR/INTERAHAMWE INSURGENTS AND OTHER ARMED GROUPS, 
AND THE ABSENCE OF A FUNCTIONING CONGOLESE STATE.  IT 
IS ENCOURAGING THAT THE ISSUES OF DISARMAMENT OF THE 
NON-SIGNATORY ARMED GROUPS AND THE MASIRE-FACILITATED 
INTER-CONGOLESE DIALOGUE WERE AT THE CENTER OF THE 
VICTORIA FALLS DISCUSSION.  EVERY EFFORT SHOULD NOW 
BE MADE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS EMERGENT CONSENSUS 
BY ASSISTING THE PARTIES IN IDENTIFYING AND GAINING 
AGREEMENT AROUND CONCRETE MEASURES THAT WOULD 
ACCELERATE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LUSAKA 
AGREEMENT.  END COMMENT. 
 
MCDONALD 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
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