US embassy cable - 00HARARE4818

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 HARARE 004818 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR AF, AF/S, AF/EPS, EB/IFD/ODF, EB/TPP/ODC 
TREASURY FOR ED BARBER, GRACE SONE, AND HOFFMAN BARAK 
USDOC FOR 2037/ERIC HENDERSON 
STATE PASS USTR/RWHITTAKER 
NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR GAYLE SMITH 
LONDON FOR CHARLES GURNEY 
PARIS FOR BISA WILLIAMS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/28/05 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, PHUM, ZI 
SUBJECT: COMMERCIAL FARMERS: A PLEA FOR INTERNATIONAL 
PRESSURE ON MUGABE 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
 
PAGE 02        HARARE  04818  01 OF 03  301023Z 
 
REF:  A) HARARE 4695  B) HARARE 4662 
 
CLASSIFIED BY AMBASSADOR MCDONALD, REASONS:  1.5 (B) AND 
(D). 
 
SUMMARY 
------- 
 
1.  (C) THREE COMMERCIAL FARMERS, ACCOMPANIED BY THEIR 
LEGAL COUNSEL AND AN MDC MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT, TOLD 
AMBASSADOR MCDONALD ON AUGUST 28 THAT PHYSICAL 
INTIMIDATION OF FARMERS HAD MOSTLY STOPPED.  NOW, THE 
GOVERNMENT WAS ENCOURAGING SQUATTERS TO BUILD HOUSES ON 
OCCUPIED LAND.  THEY EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT THE SITUATION 
ON MANY FARMS IN THE MASVINGO AREA WAS DETERIORATING, AND 
THAT WIDESPREAD POACHING BY WAR VETERANS WAS OCCURRING IN 
GAME RESERVES.  THE COMMERCIAL FARMERS UNION PLANNED TO 
REFILE ITS CONSTITUTIONAL CHALLENGE OF THE LAND 
ACQUISITION ACT, REVERSING ITS EARLIER WITHDRAWAL OF THE 
CASE, BECAUSE THE GOZ WAS NOT NEGOTIATING IN GOOD FAITH. 
THE GROUP URGED THE UNITED STATES TO ENCOURAGE PRESIDENT 
MBEKI TO WEIGH IN FORCEFULLY WITH PRESIDENT MUGABE, AND 
SUGGESTED THAT SOUTH AFRICA'S THREATENING A TOTAL CUTOFF 
OF FUEL AND ELECTRICITY COULD CONVINCE THE ZIMBABWEAN 
PRESIDENT TO CHANGE COURSE.  THIS GROUP OF FARMERS HAS 
CONCLUDED THAT FURTHER DIALOGUE WITH THE GOVERNMENT WILL 
LEAD NOWHERE AND IS CONVINCED THAT ONLY INTERNATIONAL 
PRESSURE ON MUGABE WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE.  WE BELIEVE IT 
MIGHT BE TIME TO CONSIDER ENCOURAGING MBEKI AGAIN TO 
WEIGH IN WITH THE ZIMBABWEAN PRESIDENT, A COURSE OF 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 03        HARARE  04818  01 OF 03  301023Z 
ACTION ON WHICH WE WOULD WELCOME EMBASSY PRETORIA'S AND 
DEPARTMENT'S THINKING.  END SUMMARY. 
 
2.  (U) BOB HENSON, WHO OWNS A TOBACCO FARM NEAR DOMA, 
SEVERAL HUNDRED KILOMETERS NORTHEAST OF HARARE, CALLED ON 
AMBASSADOR MCDONALD ON AUGUST 28 TO BRIEF HIM ON CURRENT 
LAND-RELATED DEVELOPMENTS.  HE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY MIKE 
AURET, A MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FROM THE OPPOSITION 
MOVEMENT FOR DEMOCRATIC CHANGE (MDC), ATTORNEY JEREMY 
CALLOW, AND TWO COMMERCIAL FARMERS, JOHN TOPPING AND 
PETER FORSYTHE.  THE AMBASSADOR WAS JOINED BY POLOFF. 
 
CURRENT STATE OF AFFAIRS 
------------------------ 
 
3.  (C) JOHN TOPPING, WHO OWNS A FARM 75 KM NORTH OF THE 
CAPITAL NEAR BINDURA, REPORTED THAT MOST OF THE PHYSICAL 
AGGRESSION AGAINST FARMERS IN HIS AREA HAD STOPPED.  THE 
GOVERNMENT'S PRIMARY OBJECTIVE NOW APPEARED TO BE TO MOVE 
PEOPLE ONTO LAND AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO BUILD HOUSES. 
SQUATTERS IN SOME AREAS WERE ARRIVING WITH CORRUGATED 
IRON AND OTHERS WITH PRE-FAB HOUSING, TRANSPORTED THERE 
BY GOVERNMENT VEHICLES.  HE CLAIMED THAT SOME OF THE SO- 
CALLED WAR VETERANS WERE NOT INTERESTED IN LAND AND WOULD 
DRIFT AWAY IF NOT CLOSELY SUPERVISED BY THOSE WHO HAD 
BROUGHT THEM.  FARMERS ARE NOW GENERALLY REFUSING ALL 
REQUESTS FROM WAR VETERANS FOR FOOD, MONEY, OR ANY OTHER 
KINDS OF ASSISTANCE.  IN FACT, MANY HAVE DETERMINED NOT 
TO SPEAK TO THE WAR VETERANS. 
 
4.  (C) FORSYTHE, WHOSE FARM IS LOCATED SOME 40 KM EAST 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 04        HARARE  04818  01 OF 03  301023Z 
OF HARARE NEAR ARCTURUS, SAID THE WAR VETERANS IN HIS 
AREA HAD ATTEMPTED TO FORCE A WORK STOPPAGE THE PREVIOUS 
WEEK.  (NOTE: THE ARCTURUS AREA HAS BEEN A HOTBED OF 
PROBLEMS SINCE THE FARM INVASIONS BEGAN.  END NOTE.) 
FARM WORKERS, HOWEVER, HAD REFUSED TO BE INTIMIDATED, AND 
PLANTING WAS CURRENTLY PROCEEDING.  HE SAID THE SITUATION 
WAS DETERIORATING IN MASVINGO PROVINCE, IN SOUTH-CENTRAL 
ZIMBABWE, WHERE WAR VETERANS WERE DOING SERIOUS DAMAGE ON 
MANY FARMS.  MP AURET ADDED THAT A GREAT DEAL OF 
DESTRUCTION IS OCCURRING IN GAME RESERVES, WHERE 
POACHING, AIDED BY GOVERNMENT VEHICLES, IS OUT OF 
CONTROL.  STONE RIDGE FARM, ONE OF THOSE FROM WHICH 
SQUATTERS WERE RECENTLY EVICTED, HAS BEEN REOCCUPIED AND 
THE OWNER HAS RECEIVED DEATH THREATS. 
 
5.  (C) THE AMBASSADOR ASKED ABOUT THE IMPACT OF THE 
APPARENT EXPULSION OF CHENJERAI HUNZVI AS CHAIRMAN OF THE 
WAR VETERANS ASSOCIATION.  AURET SAID THE ACTION HAD BEEN 
PRECIPITATED BY WAR VETERANS ANGERED BY HUNZVI'S 
DICTATORIAL LEADERSHIP AND HIS ALLEGED MISAPPROPRIATION 
OF FUNDS AT ZEXCOM, A COMPANY OWNED AND OPERATED BY WAR 
VETERANS.  AURET SAID THE ISSUE WAS FAR FROM OVER, 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
                           CONFIDENTIAL     PTQ9954 
 
PAGE 01        HARARE  04818  02 OF 03  301023Z 
ACTION AF-00 
 
INFO  LOG-00   NP-00    AMAD-00  ACQ-00   CIAE-00  COME-00  DODE-00 
      DS-00    EUR-00   VC-00    TEDE-00  INR-00   VCE-00   NSAE-00 
      PM-00    P-00     SP-00    STR-00   PMB-00   DSCC-00  DRL-02 
      NFAT-00  SAS-00     /002W 
                  ------------------7F9C19  301023Z /38 
P 301023Z AUG 00 
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6968 
INFO SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY 
AMEMBASSY LONDON 
AMEMBASSY PARIS 
NSC WASHDC 
 
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 02 OF 03 HARARE 004818 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR AF, AF/S, AF/EPS, EB/IFD/ODF, EB/TPP/ODC 
TREASURY FOR ED BARBER, GRACE SONE, AND HOFFMAN BARAK 
USDOC FOR 2037/ERIC HENDERSON 
STATE PASS USTR/RWHITTAKER 
NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR GAYLE SMITH 
LONDON FOR CHARLES GURNEY 
PARIS FOR BISA WILLIAMS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/28/05 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, PHUM, ZI 
SUBJECT: COMMERCIAL FARMERS: A PLEA FOR INTERNATIONAL 
PRESSURE ON MUGABE 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 02        HARARE  04818  02 OF 03  301023Z 
 
HOWEVER, AS HUNZVI WAS CHALLENGING THE ACTION AND 
PRESIDENT MUGABE COULD REINSTATE HUNZVI ANY TIME HE 
CHOSE. 
 
CFU'S LEGAL CHALLENGE 
--------------------- 
 
6.  (C)  THE AMBASSADOR RECALLED THAT THE COMMERCIAL 
FARMERS UNION (CFU) HAD RECENTLY WITHDRAWN ITS LEGAL 
CHALLENGE OF AMENDMENTS MADE TO THE LAND ACQUISITION ACT. 
HAD THE WITHDRAWAL CAUSED A SPLIT WITHIN THE CFU?  NO, 
BOB HENSON REPLIED, MEMBERS OF THE CFU HAD RESOLVED THEIR 
DIFFERENCES OVER THIS ISSUE AND REMAINED UNITED.  JEREMY 
CALLOW SAID THE CFU PLANNED IN THE NEXT DAY OR TWO TO 
RESUBMIT ITS CASE CHALLENGING THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF 
THE AMENDMENTS TO THE LAND ACQUISITION ACT, THE LEGAL 
BASIS FOR THE GOVERNMENT'S FAST TRACK RESETTLEMENT 
EFFORT.  THE CASE HAD BEEN WITHDRAWN SEVERAL WEEKS 
EARLIER, CALLOW SAID, IN AN EFFORT TO PRESERVE A CHANNEL 
OF COMMUNICATION WITH THE GOZ.  (NOTE: CALLOW IS A 
PROMINENT LOCAL LAWYER WHO REPRESENTED THE THREE 
AMERICANS DETAINED HERE LAST YEAR ON WEAPONS CHARGES. 
END NOTE.) 
 
7.  (C) ACCORDING TO CALLOW, IT IS NOW CLEAR THAT THE GOZ 
IS NOT COMMUNICATING WITH THE CFU IN GOOD FAITH.  THE 
GOVERNMENT PAYS LIP SERVICE TO THE IMPORTANCE OF 
DIALOGUE, WHILE CONTINUING TO PERMIT LAND INVASIONS, AND 
ANNOUNCING THAT IT WILL COMPENSATE SQUATTERS FOR PROPERTY 
DAMAGED IN POLICE EVICTIONS THE WEEK OF AUGUST 21. 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 03        HARARE  04818  02 OF 03  301023Z 
 
8.  (C) CALLOW HOPED THE COURTS WOULD ISSUE AN 
INJUNCTION STOPPING THE CURRENT LAND ACQUISITION PROGRAM. 
ASSUMING THE COURT RULED IN THE CFU'S FAVOR, THE 
AMBASSADOR ASKED, DID CALLOW BELIEVE THE GOZ WOULD 
COMPLY?  PROBABLY NOT, CALLOW RESPONDED, BUT IT WAS 
CRUCIAL FOR HIS CLIENTS TO MAKE THEIR RECORD AND FOR THE 
FARMERS' OWN CREDIBILITY WITH THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY 
THAT THEY PURSUE EVERY POSSIBLE AVENUE OPEN TO THEM. 
 
FUEL AND ELECTRICITY CRUCIAL LEVERS WITH MUGABE 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
 
9.  (C) AURET SAID ZIMBABWE WAS "ON ITS BACKSIDE" AND WAS 
ABLE TO STAGGER ALONG PRIMARILY BECAUSE OF SOUTH AFRICA'S 
PROVISION OF FUEL AND ELECTRICITY.  TOPPING ADDED THAT 
THE THREAT OF A TOTAL CUTOFF OF LIGHTS AND FUEL WAS 
PERHAPS THE ONLY EFFECTIVE TOOL LEFT THAT MIGHT TURN 
MUGABE AROUND.  THE TURMOIL IN ZIMBABWE WAS AFFECTING THE 
ENTIRE REGION, AND HE HOPED THE UNITED STATES COULD 
ENCOURAGE SOUTH AFRICA TO BRING PRESSURE TO BEAR ON 
MUGABE.  HE AND THE OTHERS IN THE ROOM, TOPPING SAID, 
WERE TRYING NOT ONLY TO SAVE THEIR OWN LAND, BUT TO DO 
ALL THEY COULD TO PREVENT THEIR COUNTRY FROM "GOING DOWN 
THE TUBES." 
 
10.  (C) THE AMBASSADOR STRESSED THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO 
PRESS THE GOZ AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS TO RESTORE THE RULE 
OF LAW AND TO TAKE THE NECESSARY STEPS TO PUT THE ECONOMY 
BACK ON TRACK.  OUR LEVERAGE IS LIMITED, HOWEVER, AS WE 
PROVIDE NO DIRECT ASSISTANCE TO THE GOVERNMENT.  WE WOULD 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 04        HARARE  04818  02 OF 03  301023Z 
CONTINUE TO DO ALL WE COULD TO NUDGE MUGABE IN THE RIGHT 
DIRECTION, BUT SOUTH AFRICA IS THE KEY PLAYER HERE.  THE 
UNITED STATES IS IN REGULAR CONTACT WITH PRESIDENT MBEKI 
ABOUT DEVELOPMENTS IN ZIMBABWE AND HAS URGED HIM TO WEIGH 
IN WITH MUGABE.  MBEKI HAS BEEN HELPFUL, BUT HE HAS TO BE 
CAREFUL.  IF HE PUSHES TOO HARD, MUGABE IS CAPABLE OF 
WITHDRAWING INTO A SHELL AND GOING IT ALONE. 
 
COMMENT 
------- 
 
11.  (C) THERE WAS A TONE OF DESPERATION AMONG THE 
MEMBERS OF THIS GROUP.  THEY REFLECT WIDESPREAD CONCERN 
ABOUT THE SEVERE DAMAGE THE GOVERNMENT'S HAPHAZARD 
RESETTLEMENT EFFORT IS DOING TO FARMERS' LIVELIHOODS, TO 
AGRICULTURE, AND TO THE COUNTRY AS A WHOLE.  THEY HAVE 
LOST CONFIDENCE THAT ENGAGING IN DIALOGUE WITH THE 
GOVERNMENT WILL MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE, AND HAVE CONCLUDED 
THAT ONLY PRESSURE FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY CAN 
FORCE MUGABE TO CHANGE COURSE.  THE GROUP'S SUGGESTION 
THAT WE ENCOURAGE MBEKI AGAIN TO WEIGH IN WITH MUGABE 
MERITS SERIOUS CONSIDERATION, AND WE WOULD WELCOME 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
                           CONFIDENTIAL     PTQ9955 
 
PAGE 01        HARARE  04818  03 OF 03  301023Z 
ACTION AF-00 
 
INFO  LOG-00   NP-00    AMAD-00  ACQ-00   CIAE-00  COME-00  DODE-00 
      DS-00    EUR-00   VC-00    TEDE-00  INR-00   VCE-00   NSAE-00 
      PM-00    P-00     SP-00    STR-00   PMB-00   DSCC-00  DRL-02 
      NFAT-00  SAS-00     /002W 
                  ------------------7F9C23  301023Z /38 
P 301023Z AUG 00 
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6969 
INFO SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY 
AMEMBASSY LONDON 
AMEMBASSY PARIS 
NSC WASHDC 
 
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 03 OF 03 HARARE 004818 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR AF, AF/S, AF/EPS, EB/IFD/ODF, EB/TPP/ODC 
TREASURY FOR ED BARBER, GRACE SONE, AND HOFFMAN BARAK 
USDOC FOR 2037/ERIC HENDERSON 
STATE PASS USTR/RWHITTAKER 
NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR GAYLE SMITH 
LONDON FOR CHARLES GURNEY 
PARIS FOR BISA WILLIAMS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/28/05 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, PHUM, ZI 
SUBJECT: COMMERCIAL FARMERS: A PLEA FOR INTERNATIONAL 
PRESSURE ON MUGABE 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 02        HARARE  04818  03 OF 03  301023Z 
 
DEPARTMENT'S AND EMBASSY PRETORIA'S THINKING ON THIS 
ISSUE. 
 
12.  (C) DESPITE THIS GROUP'S CONTENTION THAT THE 
SITUATION ON COMMERCIAL FARMS IS GETTING WORSE, THE REAL 
PICTURE IS ACTUALLY UNCLEAR.  THERE HAVE BEEN FEW NEW 
FARM INVASIONS DURING THE PAST SEVERAL DAYS, ACCORDING TO 
THE CFU, BUT NEITHER HAVE THERE BEEN ANY FURTHER POLICE 
EVICTIONS OF WAR VETERANS SUBSEQUENT TO THOSE REPORTED IN 
REF B.  IN AN ENCOURAGING DEVELOPMENT, POLICE IN MOST 
PROVINCES ARE NOW RESPONDING WHEN SQUATTERS ENGAGE IN 
CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES, SUCH AS INTERFERING WITH FARMING 
OPERATIONS, ASSAULTING FARMERS AND FARM WORKERS, STEALING 
PROPERTY, AND CUTTING DOWN TREES. 
 
13. (C) THE QUESTION NOW, OF COURSE, IS HOW THE 
GOVERNMENT PLANS TO PROCEED.  AS INDICATED IN PREVIOUS 
REPORTING, VICE-PRESIDENT MSIKA, HOME AFFAIRS MINISTER 
JOHN NKOMO, AND OTHER SENIOR OFFICIALS HAVE TOLD US 
RECENTLY THAT THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO MOVE SQUATTERS OFF 
NON-DESIGNATED FARMS TO THOSE IDENTIFIED FOR COMPULSORY 
ACQUISITION.  PRESIDENT MUGABE, HOWEVER, IS CLEARLY 
UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THAT COURSE OF ACTION, AND WE HAVE NOT 
YET SEEN ANY MOVEMENT IN THAT DIRECTION.   EFFORTS BY THE 
GOZ TO ADDRESS THE LAND REFORM ISSUE IN A FAIR AND 
TRANSPARENT WAY HAVE OCCURRED ONLY WHEN MUGABE IS OUT OF 
THE COUNTRY AND HAVE BEEN REVERSED UPON HIS RETURN.  THE 
EVICTIONS, FOR INSTANCE, WERE CARRIED OUT LAST WEEK WHILE 
MUGABE WAS IN MOZAMBIQUE, BUT STOPPED WHEN HE CAME BACK. 
THE RESULTING GOZ POLICY ON LAND IS CYCLICAL AND 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 03        HARARE  04818  03 OF 03  301023Z 
HAPHAZARD, IN WHICH IT REGULARLY TAKES ONE STEP FORWARD, 
THEN TWO STEPS BACK.  WE NOTE THAT PRESIDENT MUGABE WILL 
BE IN NEW YORK THIS WEEK FOR THE MILLENIUM SUMMIT.  HIS 
ABSENCE COULD PROVIDE AN OPENING, ALTHOUGH CERTAINLY A 
TEMPORARY ONE, FOR SOME POSITIVE MOVEMENT ON LAND. 
 
MCDONALD 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
>