US embassy cable - 01HARARE524

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 07 HARARE 000524 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR 
 
LONDON FOR CHARLES GURNEY 
 
PARIS FOR BISA WILLIAMS 
 
NAIROBI FOR PFLAUMER 
 
PASS USAID FOR A/A/AID D. PRESSLEY, A/AA/AFR V. DICKSON- 
HORTON, AND AFR/SA C. PALMA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/26/2011 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PHUM, ECON, PINR, ZI 
SUBJECT: DEALING WITH ROBERT MUGABE, THE CONSUMMATE 
SURVIVOR 
 
 
CLASSIFIED BY CHARGE D'AFFAIRES EARL M. IRVING FOR 
REASONS 1.5 (B) AND (D). 
 
------- 
SUMMARY 
------- 
 
1.  (C) OVER THE NEXT YEAR, PRESIDENT MUGABE WILL FACE 
HIS GREATEST CHALLENGE IN 20 YEARS TO STAYING IN POWER. 
A PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, IN WHICH MUGABE INTENDS TO RUN, 
IS SLATED FOR EARLY 2002.  HE MUST CONTEND WITH A 
SIZABLE AND RELATIVELY UNIFIED POLITICAL OPPOSITION, A 
COSTLY AND UNPOPULAR INTERVENTION IN THE CONGO, 
MALCONTENTS IN HIS RULING PARTY, AND HIS OWN PLUMMETING 
POPULARITY ACROSS ZIMBABWE.  MUGABE IS INTRANSIGENT, 
HOWEVER, AND WILL USE ALMOST ANY MEANS NECESSARY, 
INCLUDING WIDESPREAD VIOLENCE, TO ENSURE HIS CONTINUED 
GRIP ON THE COUNTRY.  THE PRESIDENT APPEARS WILLING TO 
SACRIFICE THE ECONOMY IN ORDER TO PURSUE HIS LAND 
RESETTLEMENT PROGRAM -- THE ONLY CREDIBLE PLATFORM THE 
RULING PARTY HAS LEFT -- AND PUNISH HIS ENEMIES, 
PARTICULARLY WHITE FARMERS.  THE PRESIDENT'S HENCHMEN 
HAVE ATTACKED AND ATTEMPTED TO UNDERMINE EVERY SEGMENT 
OF SOCIETY, INCLUDING THE INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY AND THE 
MEDIA, THAT APPEARS OPPOSED TO HIS POLICIES.  THE 
PRESIDENT DOES NOT REACT WELL TO INTERNATIONAL 
CRITICISM, SO ANY ATTEMPT TO INFLUENCE OR MODERATE HIS 
THINKING SHOULD BE PUT IN TERMS OF BENEFITS TO HIS 
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PAGE 03        HARARE  00524  01 OF 07  260906Z 
CONTINUED RULE AND SHOULD INVOLVE THE REGIONAL LEADERS 
TO WHOM HE STILL LISTENS.  U.S. INTERESTS LIE IN 
BOLSTERING THE DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS THAT ARE UNDER 
SIEGE AND PREVENTING BOTH A SOCIAL EXPLOSION AND 
ECONOMIC IMPLOSION THAT WOULD HAVE SERIOUS REGIONAL 
IMPLICATIONS.  ZIMBABWE, WITH ITS DEMOCRATIC 
INSTITUTIONS, RESILIENT MARKET ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIAL 
BASE, RESPECTED JUDICIARY, AND THE BEST-EDUCATED WORK 
FORCE IN AFRICA, MATTERS AND MERITS OUR TIMELY AND 
CREATIVE INTERVENTION IN ORDER TO PRESERVE THESE.  END 
SUMMARY. 
 
---------------- 
A PITCHED BATTLE 
---------------- 
 
2.  (C) 2001 WILL BE A CRITICAL YEAR FOR ZIMBABWE AS THE 
COUNTRY'S TWO POLITICAL PARTIES SQUARE OFF TO WAGE WHAT 
PROMISES TO BE A PITCHED BATTLE TO SECURE THE PRESIDENCY 
IN 2002.  ALTHOUGH NOT FORMALLY CONFIRMED, ROBERT MUGABE 
ALMOST CERTAINLY WILL BE THE CANDIDATE FOR THE RULING 
ZANU-PF AND MORGAN TSVANGIRAI WILL HEAD UP THE 
OPPOSITION MOVEMENT FOR DEMOCRATIC CHANGE (MDC) TICKET. 
AT THIS WRITING THERE IS ONE TRUISM IN ZIMBABWEAN 
POLITICS: ZANU-PF CANNOT WIN ON A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD. 
A HELEN SUZMAN FOUNDATION POLL RELEASED IN OCTOBER 2000 
SHOWED SUPPORT FOR MUGABE AT ITS LOWEST POST- 
INDEPENDENCE EBB, PROVIDING A NATIONAL SUPPORT RATING OF 
ONLY 13 PERCENT, WITH A 6 PERCENT URBAN AND 17 PERCENT 
RURAL SPLIT. 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 04        HARARE  00524  01 OF 07  260906Z 
3.  (C) THE ZIMBABWEAN PRESIDENT IS SUSPICIOUS OF AND 
DOES NOT FULLY EMBRACE THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS, 
PARTICULARLY AS IT RELATES TO THE TRANSFER OF POWER.  HE 
IS A VENGEFUL SURVIVOR, HAVING MANAGED TO GET THROUGH A 
PROTRACTED LIBERATION STRUGGLE DURING THE 1960S AND 
1970S, A CIVIL WAR IN THE EARLY 1980S AND TWO MAJOR 
POLITICAL DEFEATS IN THE LAST YEAR. AT THE DECEMBER 2000 
ZANU-PF CONGRESS, HE NEUTRALIZED ANY OPPOSITION TO HIS 
CONTINUED ROLE AS LEADER OF THE PARTY, AND THOSE 
OPPONENTS WHOM HE WAS UNABLE TO CO-OPT (SUCH AS FORMER 
MINISTER EDDISON ZVOBGO) WERE RELEGATED TO THE POLITICAL 
WILDERNESS.  WE CREDIT THE SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT, 
EMMERSON MNANGAGWA, WHO WAS PROMOTED TO THE FOURTH- 
HIGHEST POST IN THE RULING PARTY AFTER MUGABE, HIS TWO 
VICE PRESIDENTS (BOTH CO-EQUALS) AND PARTY CHAIRMAN JOHN 
NKOMO WITH CONDUCTING THE PARTY PURGES.  IN THE OFFING 
MUGABE SUCCEEDED IN CONSOLIDATING HIS BASES, PLACING 
LOYAL SUPPORTERS IN KEY POSITIONS, IN ANTICIPATION OF AN 
EVENTUAL TAKEOVER.  MUGABE AND MNANGAGWA'S FATES ARE 
INTERTWINED AND, FOR THE TIME BEING, THE PRESIDENT IS 
ENSURED UNSWERVING SUPPORT OF HIS POLITICAL PROGRAM AND 
AGENDA REGARDLESS OF ITS MERITS, VICIOUSNESS OR 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
                           CONFIDENTIAL     PTO5170 
 
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R 260903Z JAN 01 
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 8089 
INFO NSC WASHDC 
SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY 
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 
 
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 02 OF 07 HARARE 000524 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR 
 
LONDON FOR CHARLES GURNEY 
 
PARIS FOR BISA WILLIAMS 
 
NAIROBI FOR PFLAUMER 
 
PASS USAID FOR A/A/AID D. PRESSLEY, A/AA/AFR V. DICKSON- 
HORTON, AND AFR/SA C. PALMA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/26/2011 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PHUM, ECON, PINR, SADC, ZI 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 02        HARARE  00524  02 OF 07  260906Z 
SUBJECT: DEALING WITH ROBERT MUGABE, THE CONSUMMATE 
SURVIVOR 
 
ANCILLARY CONSEQUENCES.  MUGABE'S CABINET IS ALSO 
COMPLETELY EMASCULATED.  THOSE WHO ARE WILLING TO OFFER 
THOUGHTS CONTRARY TO THE PRESIDENT'S PLANS HAVE BEEN 
OVERRULED OR BANISHED.  THERE IS NO "MODERATE WING" OR 
"INTELLECTUAL WING" OF ZANU-PF THAT IS IN A POSITION TO 
CHECK THE PRESIDENT'S BEHAVIOR. 
 
4.  (C) EDDISON ZVOBGO, RECENTLY DEPOSED FROM ZANU-PF'S 
POLITBURO, TOLD US JANUARY 4 THAT HE SEES NO WAY THAT 
HIS PARTY CAN WIN WITH MUGABE AS ITS STANDARD BEARER IN 
THE FEBRUARY OR MARCH 2002 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. 
MATABELELAND IS "IRRETRIEVABLY LOST" TO THE MDC, AND THE 
HEAVILY POPULATED MAJOR URBAN AREAS, WHERE HE EXPECTS A 
MASSIVE TURNOUT OF VOTERS, ALMOST CERTAINLY WILL GO TO 
THE MDC AS WELL.  HE THINKS MANICALAND AND EVEN 
MASVINGO, HIS OWN PROVINCE, WILL GO TO THE MDC.  AN 
ELECTION HELD DURING THE RAINY SEASON IN THE RURAL AREAS 
OF MASHONALAND -- ZANU-PF'S CORE AREA OF SUPPORT -- WILL 
BE MARKED BY A LOW TURNOUT, BECAUSE THE INFRASTRUCTURE 
WILL HAVE BEEN FLOODED OR WASHED OUT.  INTERESTINGLY, 
ZVOBGO THOUGHT THAT THE LEVELS OF VIOLENCE THAT ZANU-PF 
WOULD HAVE TO DEPLOY IN ORDER TO COW THE POPULATION INTO 
VOTING OVERWHELMINGLY FOR ZANU-PF WOULD HAVE TO BE SO 
GREAT AS TO BE UNACCEPTABLE. 
 
5.  (C) WE HAVE BEEN PICKING UP RUMORS THAT THE 
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS MAY BE HELD SOONER, POSSIBLY AS 
EARLY AS AUGUST OR SEPTEMBER, AS A SNAP ELECTION THAT 
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PAGE 03        HARARE  00524  02 OF 07  260906Z 
CATCHES THE MDC OFF GUARD INCREASES THE CHANCES OF A 
ZANU-PF VICTORY.  THAT THIS MAY BE ILLEGAL UNDER THE 
CONSTITUTION WILL, IN OUR OPINION, NOT DETER MUGABE FROM 
SUCH AN ACT IF HE SEES THE EARLIER TIMING AS TO HIS 
ADVANTAGE.  ZVOBGO ORIGINALLY SUGGESTED -- AND WAS 
OVERRULED -- THAT MUGABE RESIGN AND CALL A SNAP ELECTION 
IN OCTOBER TO HEAD OFF THE OBSTACLE OF LIKELY FOOD 
SHORTAGES AND THROW THE OPPOSITION OFF BALANCE.  (NOTE: 
MDC PARLIAMENTARIAN DAVID COLTART, WHO IS ALSO A 
PROMINENT ATTORNEY, TOLD US ON JANUARY 24 THAT THE 
ELECTION MUST BE HELD BETWEEN JANUARY 1 AND MARCH 31, 
2002.  END NOTE).  OBSERVERS HERE PREDICT SHORTAGES OF 
STAPLES SUCH AS MAIZE AND WHEAT BY YEAR'S END.  WITH ALL 
ALLOWANCES FOR MUDDLED MAOIST MINDS, IT SHOULD BE 
GRANTED THAT THE MEN LEADING ZANU-PF ARE NOT FOOLS: THEY 
WOULD NOT WANT MUGABE TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT DURING WHAT 
COULD BE THE EARLY STAGES OF A POSSIBLE FOOD SECURITY 
CRISIS. 
 
6.  (C) THE RULING PARTY'S BRUTAL MACHINATIONS IN THE 
RUN-UP TO THE BY-ELECTIONS IN BIKITA AND MARONDERA 
DEMONSTRATE THAT RETAINING CONTROL BY ANY MEANS IS A 
STANDING ORDER.  VIOLENCE, INTIMIDATION AND BLATANT 
BRIBERY AND COERCION OF THE ELECTORATE ARE OCCURRING 
WITH LITTLE ATTENTION PAID TO APPEARANCES.  WRESTING THE 
BIKITA SEAT AWAY FROM THE MDC WAS ALL THAT MATTERED, AND 
IF THOSE IN CABINET FELT ANY REMORSE, WE SAW NO EVIDENCE 
OF IT.  THIS INCREASINGLY FREQUENT SUSPENSION OF THE 
RULE OF LAW IS A PARTICULARLY WORRISOME TREND AS IT 
WEAKENS THE VERY FOUNDATIONS OF THE NATION.  WE FEAR 
THAT THIS GROWING CULTURE OF VIOLENCE IS BEGINNING TO 
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PAGE 04        HARARE  00524  02 OF 07  260906Z 
INFECT THE OPPOSITION, WHICH, UNTIL NOW, HAS MAINTAINED 
THE MORAL HIGH GROUND AND BACKED AWAY FROM 
CONFRONTATION. 
 
------------------- 
THE ECONOMY SUFFERS 
------------------- 
 
7.  (C) IT IS ALSO DIFFICULT TO SEE HOW MUGABE CAN 
ARREST THE COUNTRY'S WORSENING ECONOMY GIVEN HIS NON- 
NEGOTIABLE POLITICAL GOALS OF GIVING LAND TO THE PEOPLE 
AND STAYING IN POWER.  IN THIS AREA ZVOBGO FRANKLY 
ADMITTED THAT THE CURRENT LEADERSHIP HAS ITS PRIORITIES 
ALL WRONG, CITING THE POLITBURO'S LOW RANKING ON ITS 
PRIORITY LIST OF RENEWED TIES WITH THE MULTILATERAL 
LENDERS.  WE MUST NOT FORGET THAT MUGABE ONCE REFERRED 
TO THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND AS A "MONSTER." 
MUGABE APPEARS PERFECTLY WILLING TO SINK THE ECONOMY IN 
ORDER TO BRING HIS LAND PROGRAM TO PASS.  IT APPEARS 
THAT NO AMOUNT OF REASONING OR STRENGTH OF ARGUMENT WILL 
DISSUADE HIM FROM PURSUING THE CURRENT "ACCELERATED" 
LAND RESETTLEMENT EXERCISE, FROM WHICH VIRTUALLY ALL THE 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
                           CONFIDENTIAL     PTO5171 
 
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                  ------------------BBDB6E  260907Z /38 
R 260903Z JAN 01 
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 8090 
INFO NSC WASHDC 
SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY 
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 
 
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 03 OF 07 HARARE 000524 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR 
 
LONDON FOR CHARLES GURNEY 
 
PARIS FOR BISA WILLIAMS 
 
NAIROBI FOR PFLAUMER 
 
PASS USAID FOR A/A/AID D. PRESSLEY, A/AA/AFR V. DICKSON- 
HORTON, AND AFR/SA C. PALMA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/26/2011 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PHUM, ECON, PINR, SADC, ZI 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 02        HARARE  00524  03 OF 07  260907Z 
SUBJECT: DEALING WITH ROBERT MUGABE, THE CONSUMMATE 
SURVIVOR 
 
PRINCIPAL DONORS HAVE WITHDRAWN FINANCIAL SUPPORT.  THE 
PRESIDENT'S APPROACH HAS BEEN TO RESETTLE POOR, 
UNTRAINED AND UNEQUIPPED SUBSISTENCE FARMERS ON 
COMMERCIAL FARMS WITH A SELECTIVE REGARD FOR LEGALITIES. 
EXPLORATORY EFFORTS LED BY UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT 
PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR, MARK MALLOCH-BROWN, TO BRIDGE THE 
GAP BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT'S POSITION AND THAT OF THE 
DONORS HAVE BORNE LITTLE FRUIT TO DATE. 
 
8.  (C) MUGABE HAS BEEN THE MAIN BENEFICIARY OF THE LAND 
RESETTLEMENT EXERCISE, BECAUSE IT HAS GIVEN HIM THE 
PRETEXT TO PUNISH HIS ENEMIES, NAMELY THE WHITE 
COMMERCIAL FARMERS WHOM HE PERCEIVES AS BANKROLLING THE 
OPPOSITION MDC.  LAST YEAR BEFORE THE PARLIAMENTARY 
ELECTIONS, HE LABELED ZIMBABWE'S WHITES -- LESS THAN ONE 
HALF PERCENT OF THE POPULATION -- AS "ENEMIES OF THE 
STATE."  HIS TACTICS INCLUDE USING TARGETED, LOW- 
INTENSITY VIOLENCE AGAINST THE COMMERCIAL FARMING SECTOR 
IN ORDER TO FORCE THE MEMBERS OF THIS HERETOFORE 
PRIVILEGED AND WEALTHY GROUP TO ABANDON THEIR ASSETS AND 
NATIONALITY.  OBSERVERS HERE TELL US THAT THE COMMERCIAL 
FARMERS BROKE THE GENTLEMEN'S AGREEMENT IN WHICH ZANU-PF 
WOULD ALLOW THEM TO PROSPER AND FEED THE COUNTRY IN 
EXCHANGE FOR THEIR STAYING OUT OF POLITICS, WHEN MEMBERS 
OF THE COMMERCIAL FARMERS UNION WERE FILMED SIGNING 
CHECKS FOR THE MDC'S WAR CHEST.  NOW ANYTHING GOES, AND 
MUGABE AND THE RULING PARTY WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP UP THE 
PRESSURE AND DEMONIZE THE FARMERS UNTIL HIS BID FOR A 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 03        HARARE  00524  03 OF 07  260907Z 
RENEWED LEADERSHIP MANDATE IS SUCCESSFUL. 
 
9.  (C) THE FATE OF ETHNIC MINORITIES, URBAN DWELLERS 
AND THE FORMAL ECONOMY DO NOT APPEAR TO BE CONCERNS OF 
MUGABE'S NUMINOUS VISION FOR THE COUNTRY.  CAPITALISTS 
HAVE RESPONDED TO THIS DISREGARD, IF NOT OUTRIGHT 
HOSTILITY, EITHER BY MOTHBALLING THEIR FIRMS OR 
DISINVESTING OUTRIGHT.  IF THE ZIMBABWEAN ECONOMY 
CONTINUES TO DETERIORATE AT ITS CURRENT RAPID PACE, THE 
CONSEQUENCES FOR THIS COUNTRY AND THE REGION WILL BE 
DEVASTATING. 
 
--------------------------------------- 
MUGABE WILL NOT BE PUSHED OFF THE SCENE 
--------------------------------------- 
 
10.  (C) MUGABE WILL NOT GO GENTLY INTO THAT GOOD NIGHT 
OF RETIREMENT. WE SERIOUSLY DOUBT THAT IT IS POSSIBLE TO 
CONVINCE HIM TO DO SO.  EVEN IF WE WERE ABLE TO SCRAPE 
TOGETHER THE CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF MONEY TO FINANCE A 
GENEROUS "GOLDEN PARACHUTE" FOR HIM TO LEAVE THE SCENE, 
WE DO NOT THINK MUGABE WOULD FULFILL THE TERMS OF THE 
BARGAIN.  NOR, IN OUR OPINION, IN HIS TIME LEFT ON STAGE 
WILL HE LISTEN TO OR HEED WELL-INTENTIONED ADVICE COMING 
FROM THOSE HE DOES NOT CONSIDER ABSOLUTE BACKERS.  FOR 
THOSE WITH LESS THAN WHOLEHEARTED SUPPORT, THE BEST WAY 
TO MAKE MUGABE LISTEN IS TO APPEAL TO HIS DESIRE TO STAY 
IN POWER.  HE WILL AT LEAST CONSIDER ANY PROPOSAL THAT 
IS COUCHED IN TERMS OF PROLONGING HIS POLITICAL 
SURVIVAL.  TRUE TO THEIR SELF-INTEREST, THE DEFENSE 
FORCES WILL CONTINUE THEIR UNWAVERING AND OBSEQUIOUS 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 04        HARARE  00524  03 OF 07  260907Z 
ALLEGIANCE TO MUGABE.  OFFERING STRATEGIES GROUNDED IN 
MAINTAINING REGIME SECURITY, THE SENIOR MILITARY 
LEADERSHIP REMAINS FOCUSED ON PERSONAL ECONOMIC 
ENRICHMENT RATHER THAN A PROFESSIONAL CRITIQUE OF THE 
DOMESTIC CONSEQUENCES OF FOREIGN ADVENTURISM.  APPEALS 
TO HIS VANITY WILL ALSO MAKE HIM TAKE NOTICE. 
MOREOVER, WE SEE INDICATION THAT MEMBERS OF MUGABE'S 
INNER CIRCLE, WHO HAVE STOLEN AND COMMITTED ATROCITIES, 
ARE WORRIED THAT NOT ONLY WOULD MUGABE NOT TAKE CARE OF 
THEM BUT ACTUALLY WOULD MAKE THEM THE FALL GUYS. 
WILFRED MHANDA OF THE ZIMBABWE LIBERATORS PLATFORM -- A 
SMALL OFFSHOOT OF THE WAR VETERANS' ASSOCIATION THAT 
OPPOSES ZANU-PF'S POLITICIZATION OF THE EX-COMBATANTS -- 
TOLD US RECENTLY THAT AIR FORCE COMMANDER PERENCE SHIRI 
HAS MET TWICE WITH HIM TO EXPRESS EXACTLY THOSE FEARS. 
WE ARE INCREASINGLY CONVINCED THAT PEACE IN ZIMBABWE 
WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE WITH ZANU-PF IN ITS CURRENT 
ITERATION. 
 
11.  (C) HAVING NEUTRALIZED DISSENT WITHIN HIS PARTY, 
MUGABE TAKES COMFORT FROM THE SUPPORT OF HIS NEIGHBORS. 
ALTHOUGH PRIVATELY SOME MAY HAVE SPOKEN BLUNTLY TO THE 
 
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                           CONFIDENTIAL     PTO5174 
 
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                  ------------------BBDB80  260907Z /38 
R 260903Z JAN 01 
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 8091 
INFO NSC WASHDC 
SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY 
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 
 
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 04 OF 07 HARARE 000524 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR 
 
LONDON FOR CHARLES GURNEY 
 
PARIS FOR BISA WILLIAMS 
 
NAIROBI FOR PFLAUMER 
 
PASS USAID FOR A/A/AID D. PRESSLEY, A/AA/AFR V. DICKSON- 
HORTON, AND AFR/SA C. PALMA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/26/2011 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PHUM, ECON, PINR, SADC, ZI 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
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SUBJECT: DEALING WITH ROBERT MUGABE, THE CONSUMMATE 
SURVIVOR 
 
ZIMBABWEAN PRESIDENT, PUBLICLY THE CHORUS HAS BEEN ONE 
OF ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ALBEIT A LUKEWARM ONE, THAT MUGABE IS 
EMBARKED ON A RIGHTEOUS CRUSADE.  SOUTH AFRICA, THE MOST 
POWERFUL OF THESE IN THE SUB-CONTINENT AND THE ONE TO BE 
MOST SERIOUSLY AFFECTED BY ZIMBABWE'S ECONOMIC COLLAPSE, 
HAS TAKEN A CONSCIOUS DECISION TO ENGAGE MUGABE WITH 
FREQUENT MINISTERIAL AND SUMMIT GATHERINGS. 
NEVERTHELESS, THE SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT HAS BEEN 
RELUCTANT TO REMONSTRATE PUBLICLY WITH OR EXACT BEHAVIOR 
MODIFICATION FROM HIS ZIMBABWEAN SENIOR.  RATHER, MBEKI 
HAS EXTENDED TO ZIMBABWE CREDITS FOR FUEL AND 
ELECTRICITY, IN ORDER NOT TO ACCELERATE THE ZIMBABWEAN 
ECONOMY'S COLLAPSE AND PROVOKE A HUMANITARIAN CRISIS 
THAT WOULD SPILL OVER THE LIMPOPO.  ONLY THOSE HEADS OF 
STATE WHOSE COUNTRIES ARE FAR AWAY FROM HIS, SUCH AS 
NIGERIA'S OBASANJO, HAVE COME CLOSE TO EXPOSING THE 
EMPEROR'S NAKEDNESS. 
 
12.  (C) IN ANY POLICY INITIATIVE TO CONTAIN SOME OF 
MUGABE'S EXCESSES WE SHOULD VIEW ZIMBABWE'S NEIGHBORS, 
SUCH AS SOUTH AFRICA, MOZAMBIQUE AND ZAMBIA, AS OUR 
ALLIES.  ALTHOUGH MUGABE CARES LITTLE WHAT THE WEST 
THINKS OF HIS POLICIES, HE DOES WISH TO BE SEEN AS A 
DEMOCRATIC LEADER IN THE WORLD CLUB.  HE WISHES TO AVOID 
THE OPPROBRIUM OF HIS FELLOW AFRICAN HEADS OF STATE, AS 
HE HAS STAKED HIS CREDIBILITY WITH THEM ON THE 
QUINTESSENTIALLY AFRICAN, ANTI-COLONIAL CHARACTER OF THE 
ZIMBABWEAN LAND REFORM EXERCISE.  THEIR EFFORTS TO 
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ADDRESS MUGABE'S ABUSES OF POWER, PARTICULARLY IN THE 
CONTEXT OF THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY 
(SADC), MERIT OUR STRONG BACKING, ALTHOUGH WE MUST BEAR 
IN MIND THAT IN THE END THESE MAY AMOUNT TO LITTLE MORE 
THAN SYMBOLIC MEASURES. 
 
13.  (C) PRESIDENT MUGABE ATTEMPTED TO PROJECT STRENGTH 
IN THE CONGO AT LEAST PARTIALLY IN ORDER TO THRUST 
HIMSELF ONTO THE WORLD STAGE AND UPSTAGE THE MUCH- 
ADULATED NELSON MANDELA -- THE THEN CHAIRMAN OF SADC -- 
WHO OPPOSED THE INTERVENTION.  HIS LACK OF AN EXIT 
STRATEGY, THE TOLL IN HUMAN LIVES AND TO THE NATIONAL 
TREASURY OF THE CONTINUING QUAGMIRE, AND HIS LIMITED 
ABILITY TO INFLUENCE THE UNPREDICTABLE BEHAVIOR OF HIS 
LATE ALLY, LAURENT KABILA, ARE FACTS THAT SUGGEST THAT 
HE LAID AN EGG.  CONSEQUENTLY, IN SEEMINGLY DESPERATE 
ATTEMPTS TO CREATE A PALATABLE SOUFFLQ, MUGABE'S SENIOR 
MILITARY LEADERSHIP GROWS INCREASINGLY ISOLATED FROM ITS 
REGIONAL COLLEAGUES.  CIVIL SOCIETY VIEWS ITS POLICE AS 
ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS IN VOTER INTIMIDATION TACTICS AND 
CIVIL DISTURBANCE BRUTALITY.  ZIMBABWE IS NOT A MILITARY 
DANGER TO ITS NEIGHBORS AND DOES NOT PURSUE A WAR-LIKE 
FOREIGN POLICY. 
 
14.  (C) WE HAVE HEARD THAT THE NEW CONGRESS MAY REVIVE 
THE ZIMBABWE DEMOCRACY ACT (ZDA) TO CONDEMN THE MUGABE 
GOVERNMENT.  THE 2000 BILL MANDATED A "NO" VOTE BY THE 
USG IN THE INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND 
RULED OUT ANY FURTHER GOVERNMENT-TO-GOVERNMENT 
ASSISTANCE OR DEBT RELIEF, BUT OFFERED CARROTS IN THE 
FORM OF MONEY FOR LAND REFORM.  WE SHOULD BE CAREFUL NOT 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 04        HARARE  00524  04 OF 07  260907Z 
TO SINGLE OUT MUGABE FOR SANCTIONS OR ANY POLICY ACTION 
THAT COULD BE CONSTRUED AS SUCH AND MAKE HIM A MARTYR. 
MUGABE WOULD USE ENACTMENT OF THE ZDA TO DIVERT 
RESPONSIBILITY FROM HIMSELF AND BLAME THE USG FOR ALL OF 
ZIMBABWE'S MISHAPS AND WOES, A ROLE THE BRITISH NOW 
HAVE.  FOREIGN MINISTER MUDENGE TOLD AMBASSADOR MCDONALD 
ON JULY 3, 2000 THAT PASSAGE OF THE ACT WOULD PUT 
ZIMBABWE'S ECONOMY ON A WAR FOOTING, AND THAT ZIMBABWE 
WOULD LASH OUT AT THE U.S. ANY WAY IT COULD. ALTHOUGH WE 
WOULD NOT SHRINK FROM CRITICISM, WE MUST BE PREPARED FOR 
A BACKLASH AND WEIGH THE POSSIBILITY THAT MUGABE COULD 
BE STRENGTHENED DOMESTICALLY BY OUR ACTIONS. 
 
---------- 
NEXT STEPS 
---------- 
 
15.  (C) OUR INTERESTS HERE LIE IN HELPING CONTAIN AND 
REVERSE THE FURTHER EROSION OF DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS, 
AND AVOID A SOCIAL EXPLOSION OR HUMANITARIAN DISASTER. 
ZIMBABWEANS AND OTHER CITIZENS OF THE SUB-CONTINENT LOOK 
TO THE UNITED STATES, AS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT AND 
 
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      DODE-00  DOTE-00  SRPP-00  DS-00    EB-00    FAAE-00  FBIE-00 
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      DSCC-00  DRL-02   NFAT-00  SAS-00     /002W 
                  ------------------BBDB90  260908Z /38 
R 260903Z JAN 01 
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 8092 
INFO NSC WASHDC 
SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY 
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 
 
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 05 OF 07 HARARE 000524 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR 
 
LONDON FOR CHARLES GURNEY 
 
PARIS FOR BISA WILLIAMS 
 
NAIROBI FOR PFLAUMER 
 
PASS USAID FOR A/A/AID D. PRESSLEY, A/AA/AFR V. DICKSON- 
HORTON, AND AFR/SA C. PALMA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/26/2011 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PHUM, ECON, PINR, SADC, ZI 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 02        HARARE  00524  05 OF 07  260908Z 
SUBJECT: DEALING WITH ROBERT MUGABE, THE CONSUMMATE 
SURVIVOR 
 
COHERENT PART OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, TO USE ITS 
INFLUENCE AND EXERCISE LEADERSHIP IN ORDER TO HALT AND 
EVEN REVERSE THE CURRENT TREND.  OUR INFLUENCE IS 
LIMITED TO THE USE OF SUASION WITH THIS AND OTHER 
COUNTRIES' GOVERNMENTS AND IMPLEMENTING PROGRAMS 
DESIGNED TO MITIGATE CONFLICT AND WEAKEN THE GRIP OF 
TYRANNY.  WORKING WITH THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, CIVIL 
SOCIETY, AND THE OPPOSITION WILL BE CRUCIAL TO 
FULFILLING OUR GOALS.  THE RESOURCES WE APPORTION TO 
THESE WILL SUBSTANTIATE OUR LEADERSHIP. 
 
16.  (C) IN OUR OPINION THE USG'S PRINCIPAL BILATERAL 
POLICY ISSUE WITH ZIMBABWE IS RESTORATION OF THE RULE OF 
LAW.  WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO CONDEMN THE BREAKDOWN OF LAW 
AND ORDER, THE ATTACKS ON THE JUDICIARY AND THE PARTISAN 
USE OF THE SECURITY FORCES.  WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO 
STRESS THAT WE THINK THE ZIMBABWEAN GOVERNMENT IS 
ACCOUNTABLE FOR VIOLENCE PERPETRATED DURING THE LAND 
INVASIONS AND POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS BY THE MILITARY, 
INTELLIGENCE AND POLICE SERVICES.  WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO 
MAKE THE POINT THAT THE AMNESTY ISSUED TO THOSE WHO 
COMMITTED HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS DURING THIS PERIOD IS, 
AT A MINIMUM, MORALLY REPUGNANT TO US. 
 
17.  (C) WE SHOULD SEND AN UNEQUIVOCAL MESSAGE THAT WE 
BELIEVE A MORE LEVEL PLAYING FIELD IS NEEDED FOR THE 
PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN.  WE SHOULD SIGNAL OUR EXPECTATION 
OF A FREE AND FAIR ELECTION AND PUT THE ZIMBABWEAN 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 03        HARARE  00524  05 OF 07  260908Z 
GOVERNMENT ON NOTICE THAT THE USG AND, INDEED THE WORLD, 
WILL WATCH, DOCUMENT, AND EXPOSE AND REJECT AN UNFAIR 
ELECTION.  IT MAY NOT BE TOO BOLD TO SAY THAT IF THE 
NEXT PRESIDENT IS ELECTED THROUGH VIOLENCE AND 
INTIMIDATION IT WILL HAVE SERIOUS DIPLOMATIC AND 
ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES. 
 
18.  (C) WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO REMAIN IMPARTIAL IN 
ASSESSING WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE.  IMPARTIALITY SHOULD 
NOT BE CONFUSED WITH NEUTRALITY.  WE SHOULD EMPHASIZE TO 
THE OPPOSITION AS WELL THAT VIOLENCE IS NOT AN 
ACCEPTABLE MEANS TO OBTAINING POWER. 
 
------------------- 
POSSIBLE STRATEGIES 
------------------- 
 
19.  (C) HOW DO WE BEGIN?  WHILE WE KNOW THE NEW 
ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR AFRICAN AFFAIRS WILL BE 
EXTREMELY BUSY, WE RECOMMEND AN EARLY VISIT TO ZIMBABWE 
AMONG OTHER COUNTRIES S/HE MIGHT WISH TO VISIT IN THE 
REGION.  IT WOULD SIGNAL TO THE AMERICAN PUBLIC AND 
AFRICA THAT THE CONTINENT WILL BE A FOREIGN POLICY 
PRIORITY AND SEND AN UNEQUIVOCAL MESSAGE THAT THE NEW 
ADMINISTRATION WILL HAVE TOUGH HUMAN RIGHTS AND GOOD 
GOVERNANCE STANDARDS WITHOUT WHICH ALL ELSE FAILS.  THE 
ASSISTANT SECRETARY WOULD DELIVER THE MESSAGE THAT WE 
KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON, WE ARE CONCERNED BY IT AND WE ARE 
MONITORING CLOSELY THE MUGABE-MADE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS 
IN THE MAKING.  SHE/HE ALSO WOULD ASK HOW MUGABE PLANS 
TO REINSTATE THE RULE OF LAW WHILE AVOIDING HIS 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 04        HARARE  00524  05 OF 07  260908Z 
SOPHISTIC REASONING THAT IT REALLY DID NOT BREAK DOWN. 
 
20.  (C) WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO WORK WITH WESTERN AND 
FRIENDLY COUNTRIES TO EXPAND THE ISOLATION OF MUGABE AND 
HIS TOP HENCHMEN.  WE SHOULD MAKE IT CLEAR THROUGH 
DIPLOMATIC CHANNELS THAT IF GOVERNMENT-DIRECTED VIOLENCE 
CONTINUES, THERE WILL BE NO REFUGE FOR THESE MEN.  WE 
COULD PLACE VISA AND OTHER TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS ON SENIOR 
ZANU-PF MEMBERS TOGETHER WITH OTHER NATIONS, ESPECIALLY 
THE EC.  IF WE REALLY WANT TO GO AFTER MUGABE HIMSELF WE 
COULD ASCERTAIN WHERE HIS ASSETS ARE LOCATED ABROAD AND 
ASK THOSE COUNTRIES TO FREEZE THEM.  THESE MEASURES 
WOULD PLACE ADDITIONAL PRESSURE ON THE MUGABE 
GOVERNMENT, HELP SHRINK ITS BASE OF SUPPORT AND SIGNAL 
INTERNATIONALLY THAT THERE ARE RULES TO THE GAME, THE 
FLOUTING OF WHICH RESULTS IN PENALTIES. 
 
21.  (C) MEASURED ENGAGEMENT WITH THE MILITARY.  WE MUST 
CONTINUE TO BE COGENT IN OUR SELECTION OF TOOLS WITH 
WHICH TO ENGAGE THE ZIMBABWE DEFENSE FORCES.  WHILE WE 
OUGHT TO REMAIN ENGAGED IN IMET, WE MUST QUESTION THE 
NEED FOR ANY INITIATIVE, WHICH OFFERS US LIMITED DEGREES 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
                           CONFIDENTIAL     PTQ9929 
 
PAGE 01        HARARE  00524  06 OF 07  260908Z 
ACTION AF-00 
 
INFO  LOG-00   NP-00    AID-00   ACQ-00   CIAE-00  COME-00  USNW-00 
      DODE-00  DOTE-00  SRPP-00  DS-00    EB-00    FAAE-00  FBIE-00 
      VC-00    TEDE-00  INR-00   VCE-00   NSAE-00  SS-00    TRSE-00 
      DSCC-00  DRL-02   NFAT-00  SAS-00     /002W 
                  ------------------BBDB9B  260908Z /38 
R 260903Z JAN 01 
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 8093 
INFO NSC WASHDC 
SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY 
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 
 
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 06 OF 07 HARARE 000524 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR 
 
LONDON FOR CHARLES GURNEY 
 
PARIS FOR BISA WILLIAMS 
 
NAIROBI FOR PFLAUMER 
 
PASS USAID FOR A/A/AID D. PRESSLEY, A/AA/AFR V. DICKSON- 
HORTON, AND AFR/SA C. PALMA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/26/2011 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PHUM, ECON, PINR, SADC, ZI 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 02        HARARE  00524  06 OF 07  260908Z 
SUBJECT: DEALING WITH ROBERT MUGABE, THE CONSUMMATE 
SURVIVOR 
 
OF ACCESS AND INFLUENCE, PARTICULARLY IN THE MEDIUM AND 
LONG TERMS.  SHOULD WE DECIDE TO WITHDRAW INCREMENTALLY 
OUR SECURITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS, THE IMET AND DEMINING 
PROGRAM SHOULD BE AMONG OUR FINAL ENGAGEMENT 
INITIATIVES.  MOREOVER, LITTLE BENEFIT HAS RESULTED FROM 
RECENT GENERAL OFFICER VISITS BY MEMBERS OF OUR ARMED 
FORCES.  IN PARALLEL WITH OUR REGIONAL POLITICAL 
STRATEGY, WE SHOULD ENCOURAGE CIVILIAN DEFENSE OFFICIALS 
AND SENIOR MILITARY OFFICERS FROM OUR CLOSEST REGIONAL 
ALLIES WITHIN SADC TO PERSONALLY ADDRESS THE SECURITY 
CONCERNS OF THE REGION TO ZIMBABWE'S SENIOR CIVILIAN AND 
MILITARY LEADERSHIP. 
 
22.  (C) VIEW ZIMBABWE AS A REGIONAL ISSUE.  WE SHOULD 
CONTINUE TO RAISE THROUGH DIPLOMATIC CHANNELS THE ISSUE 
OF VIOLENCE AND GOOD GOVERNANCE WITH THE SADC 
GOVERNMENTS, AND URGE THEM TO EXERT GREATER PRESSURE ON 
MUGABE TO ALTER HIS RENEGADE POLICIES.  THIS DIALOGUE IN 
PARTICULAR SHOULD BE GEARED TO GETTING SOUTH AFRICA OFF 
THE FENCE.  WE SHOULD ENGAGE NIGERIAN PRESIDENT OBASANJO 
-- ONE OF THE FEW HEADS OF STATE WITH REAL INFLUENCE ON 
MUGABE -- TO PRESS MUGABE ON HONORING THE DEMOCRATIC 
PROCESS AND THE RULE OF LAW.  MUGABE MAY ALSO RESPOND TO 
PRIVATE URGINGS FROM UN SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANAN, A 
FELLOW AFRICAN. 
 
23.  (C) ALTHOUGH NOT ALWAYS ON FIRM GROUND, THE UNITED 
NATIONS PROVIDES ANOTHER PLATFORM FROM WHICH TO SEEK 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 03        HARARE  00524  06 OF 07  260908Z 
BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION FROM MUGABE.  THE UN IS THE MOST 
VISIBLE INSTITUTION IN WHICH TO CONDEMN HUMAN RIGHTS AND 
RULE OF LAW ABUSES.  WE MIGHT SUGGEST THE UN INVESTIGATE 
WHO ARE THE BENEFICIARIES OF THE FAST TRACK LAND 
RESETTLEMENT PROCESS, IF NECESSARY USING THE RUSE OF "SO 
WE CAN ATTRACT MONEY FROM THE DONORS."  UN COMMISSIONER 
FOR HUMAN RIGHTS MARY ROBINSON IS DIALOGUING WITH 
ZIMBABWE'S HUMAN RIGHTS FORUM, AN INITIATIVE THAT MERITS 
OUR FULL SUPPORT.  IN ADDITION, WE COULD ASK THE UN OR 
THE SECURITY COUNCIL TO CONDEMN THE BREAKDOWN OF THE 
RULE OF LAW AND IMPOSE TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS ON ZIMBABWEAN 
OFFICIALS.  SIMPLY CALLING FOR A UN SESSION TO EXAMINE 
THE ZIMBABWE PROBLEM WOULD EXERT SOME PRESSURE ON 
MUGABE. 
 
24.  (C) THE COMMONWEALTH HAS A ROLE TO PLAY IN HOLDING 
ZIMBABWE TO CERTAIN STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOR.  MUGABE 
RECENTLY APPOINTED FOUR JUDGES WHO, THOUGH COMPETENT 
PROFESSIONALS ARE CLOSELY IDENTIFIED WITH AND PERSONALLY 
OWING TO ZANU-PF.  MEMBERS OF THE BENCH WHO VALUE THEIR 
PRESTIGE COME UNDER SCRUTINY BY THEIR RESPECTED 
COMMONWEALTH PEERS AND WOULD NOT WANT TO RISK OPPROBRIUM 
FROM THIS CLUB.  WE SHOULD SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGE 
COMMONWEALTH INVOLVEMENT IN THIS REGARD. 
 
25.  (C) SUPPORT THE JUDICIARY.  THE CANADIAN 
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY HAS TAKEN THE LEAD IN 
PROVIDING ASSISTANCE FOR ZIMBABWE'S EMBATTLED JUDICIARY. 
USAID'S OFFICE OF TRANSITION INITIATIVES HAS ASSISTED IN 
COURT CHALLENGES TO ELECTION RESULTS ACHIEVED THROUGH 
VIOLENCE AND INTIMIDATION.  SEEKING REMEDIES IN THE 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 04        HARARE  00524  06 OF 07  260908Z 
COURTS IS ONE OF THE FEW TOOLS AVAILABLE TO CIVIL 
SOCIETY AND THE OPPOSITION TO HIT BACK.  WHILE THE 
GOVERNMENT HAS CHOSEN TO IGNORE COURT RULINGS WITH 
IMPUNITY, THE INTERNATIONAL SPOTLIGHT SHOULD GROW 
BRIGHTER EACH TIME A RULING IS IGNORED.  ESF RESOURCES, 
WHICH WE HAVE REQUESTED SEPTEL, SHOULD BE ALLOCATED FOR 
THIS PURPOSE. 
 
26.  (C) CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM.  CIVIL SOCIETY BELIEVES 
A NEW CONSTITUTION IS THE ONLY WAY TO GUARANTEE FAIR 
COMPETITIVE POLITICS, SAFEGUARD DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS, 
BALANCE POWER BETWEEN THE THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT, 
AND ENSURE THE PARTICIPATION OF CITIZENS IN DECISION 
MAKING.  AGREEMENT ON A NEW CONSTITUTION, TO REPLACE 
BEFORE THE 2002 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION THE LANCASTER 
HOUSE DOCUMENT SIGNED AT INDEPENDENCE, IS SEEN AS 
CRUCIAL TO ENSURING A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD FOR THE 
OPPOSITION POLITICAL PARTIES.  WE SHOULD SUPPORT THE 
NATIONAL CONSTITUTIONAL ASSEMBLY AND OTHER CIVIL SOCIETY 
GROUPS IN THEIR EFFORT TO ORGANIZE A NATIONAL 
STAKEHOLDERS CONFERENCE THIS YEAR FOCUSED ON DRAFTING A 
NEW CONSTITUTION, AND BE PREPARED TO ASSIST IN RELATED 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
                           CONFIDENTIAL     PTO5181 
 
PAGE 01        HARARE  00524  07 OF 07  260908Z 
ACTION AF-00 
 
INFO  LOG-00   NP-00    AID-00   ACQ-00   CIAE-00  COME-00  USNW-00 
      DODE-00  DOTE-00  SRPP-00  DS-00    EB-00    FAAE-00  FBIE-00 
      VC-00    TEDE-00  INR-00   VCE-00   NSAE-00  SS-00    TRSE-00 
      DSCC-00  DRL-02   NFAT-00  SAS-00     /002W 
                  ------------------BBDBA4  260908Z /38 
R 260903Z JAN 01 
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 8094 
INFO NSC WASHDC 
SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY 
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 
 
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 07 OF 07 HARARE 000524 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR 
 
LONDON FOR CHARLES GURNEY 
 
PARIS FOR BISA WILLIAMS 
 
NAIROBI FOR PFLAUMER 
 
PASS USAID FOR A/A/AID D. PRESSLEY, A/AA/AFR V. DICKSON- 
HORTON, AND AFR/SA C. PALMA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/26/2011 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PHUM, ECON, PINR, SADC, ZI 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 02        HARARE  00524  07 OF 07  260908Z 
SUBJECT: DEALING WITH ROBERT MUGABE, THE CONSUMMATE 
SURVIVOR 
 
FOLLOW-ON EFFORTS.  WE HAVE REQUESTED ESF FOR THIS 
CRITICALLY IMPORTANT ACTIVITY. 
 
27.  (C) RADIO FREE ZIMBABWE.  THERE IS BROAD AGREEMENT 
AMONG MEMBERS OF CIVIL SOCIETY HERE THAT GOVERNMENT 
CONTROL OF THE AIRWAVES IS THE MOST IMPORTANT CONSTRAINT 
TO BROAD-BASED DEMOCRACY.  THAT CONTROL IS BEING 
CHALLENGED IN COURT, BUT THE CONSENSUS IS THAT EVEN IF 
IT LOSES THE GOVERNMENT WILL NOT ALLOW ALTERNATIVE RADIO 
TO HAPPEN BEFORE THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.  WHILE THERE 
ARE INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPERS, MOST OF ZIMBABWE'S 
POPULATION DOES NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THEM OR CANNOT AFFORD 
THEM.  WE MAY WANT TO EXPLORE INTEREST WITHIN THE 
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY FOR FUNDING A RADIO OPERATION 
THAT WOULD CONTINUOUSLY BROADCAST FACTUAL NEWS, DEBATE 
AND ALTERNATIVE VIEWS IN THE LOCAL LANGUAGES. 
 
---------------------- 
DON'T LEAVE THEM ALONE 
---------------------- 
 
28.  (C) ZIMBABWE MATTERS, AND IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE 
TRY TO PRESERVE THE CORNERSTONES OF ITS SOCIETY, WHICH 
INCLUDE A FUNCTIONING PRO-CAPITALIST ECONOMY SUPPORTED 
BY DECENT INFRASTRUCTURE, AN INDEPENDENT AND WELL- 
RESPECTED JUDICIARY, AND THE BEST EDUCATED WORK FORCE IN 
AFRICA.  ALTHOUGH OUR LEVERAGE TO INFLUENCE EVENTS HERE 
IS CONSTRAINED, WE HAVE DESCRIBED A NUMBER OF TIMELY AND 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 03        HARARE  00524  07 OF 07  260908Z 
CREATIVE STEPS THAT WILL SUPPORT THE FORCES OF GOOD 
GOVERNANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY, WHOSE VOICES ARE 
INCREASINGLY MUFFLED, AND STRENGTHEN DEMOCRATIC 
INSTITUTIONS.  IT IS CRUCIAL THAT WE ACT QUICKLY, AS THE 
CONSEQUENCES OF ZIMBABWE'S CONTINUED ECONOMIC DECLINE 
AND ABUSE OF THE RULE OF LAW COULD BE DEVASTATING, BOTH 
FOR THIS "JEWEL OF AFRICA," AS JULIUS NYERERE CALLED IT, 
AND THE SURROUNDING REGION. 
 
IRVING 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
>