US embassy cable - 01ABUJA1922

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 001922 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
NSC FOR CINDY COURVILLE 
 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/31/2011 
TAGS: PREL, NI, ZI 
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: PRESIDENT OBASANJO'S ROLE IN ZIMBABWE 
 
 
REF: JETER-COURVILLE TELCON 7/30/01 
 
 
1. (C) In a July 31 meeting scheduled to discuss other issues 
(septel), Ambassador Jeter, accompanied by EconOff 
(notetaker), raised with President Obasanjo, as promised in 
reftelcon, Nigeria's continuing role in addressing the 
deteriorating situation in Zimbabwe. Obasanjo was very 
forthcoming as he explained the leadership role he has played 
so far, in cooperation with Mbeki and others, in resolving 
tensions between the UK and Zimbabwe over land seizures and 
other issues.  From his animation on this issue, it is clear 
that Obasanjo will remain deeply and personally engaged. 
 
 
2. (C) Obasanjo commented that he first intervened in this 
issue in December 1999 after a meeting with Robin Cook where 
the Foreign Secretary had expressed deep dissatisfaction with 
Mugabe's unwillingness to work with the UK on the issue of 
voluntary sales/transfers of white-owned land to rural 
Zimbabweans.  Obasanjo was later able to bring Mugabe and 
Cook together to begin a constructive dialogue.  The 
President emphasized that Zimbabwe's neighbors, particularly 
South Africa and Namibia, are "frightened stiff" over the 
spill-over effect the land seizures could have on their own 
countries.  Obasanjo claimed that while Mugabe believed land 
seizures were bringing him significant domestic political 
mileage, Obasanjo thought this political mileage was at the 
expense of the country's economic and social development. 
 
 
3. (C) President Obasanjo recommended that land seizures 
would be more effectively addressed within a forum that also 
included discussion of human rights, rule of law, and 
democracy issues in Zimbabwe.  The President declared that 
although Mugabe was not initially in favor of such an 
approach, he had since acquiesced.  Obasanjo claimed that 
Mugabe had also agreed to stop additional land seizures, 
although the Zimbabwean President ultimately will seek to 
claim an additional 1.5 million hectares for a total of 5 
million hectares of land available for sale/transfer to rural 
Zimbabweans. 
4. (C) Obasanjo mentioned that "they" (apparently a reference 
to himself and Mbeki) are now looking at proposals to 
establish a financing mechanism to pay for the 3.5 million 
hectares already seized.  Obasanjo alluded to a UK land fund, 
and mentioned others in the international community, 
including the U.S. and EU, who might be approached to help 
cover payment for 2.5 million hectares.  Although the 
President did not give a monetary figure to the hectare 
purchases, he said that Mugabe wants "adequate compensation;" 
Obasanjo said that he favors the "willing-buyer, 
willing-seller" approach.  Mugabe, he said, has agreed not to 
grab additional land until the funds are available to pay for 
it. 
 
 
5. (C) Obasanjo chided Mugabe for seeking to address this 
issue through the OAU, and the inclusion of states such as 
Libya.  The OAU effort had gone nowhere and lacked 
credibility.  Instead, Obasanjo said he had recommended that 
next steps on Zimbabwe be pursued through the Commonwealth 
with the following countries participating: Nigeria, Jamaica, 
United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia, and Zimbabwe.  The 
Commonwealth Secretary General would also take part. 
 
 
6. (C) Comment.  The UK DCM in Abuja has told us that HMG 
does not believe the GON is an effective "honest broker" 
because public comments made by Nigerian FM Sule Lamido 
appear too supportive of Mugabe and GOZ hard-liners. 
Nevertheless, Obasanjo is likely to remain personally engaged 
on this issue, given his animation when addressing the 
subject and his penchant for involvement on issues of "high 
politics".  End Comment. 
Jeter