US embassy cable - 01HARARE2322

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 HARARE 002322 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR JENDAYI FRAZER 
LONDON FOR GURNEY 
PARIS FOR BISA WILLIAMS 
NAIROBI FOR PFLAUMER 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL. 08/01/11 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PHUM, PINR, MOPS, ZI 
SUBJECT: OPPOSITION LEADER TSVANGIRAI ON UPCOMING PRESIDENTIAL 
ELECTION 
 
 
CLASSIFIED BY CHARGE D'AFFAIRES AUBREY HOOKS.  REASONS: 1.5 
(B) AND (D). 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 02        HARARE  02322  01 OF 03  021703Z 
 
REF:  HARARE 2239 
 
SUMMARY 
------- 
 
1.  (C) IN A JULY 31 LUNCH HOSTED BY CHARGE HOOKS, MOVEMENT FOR 
DEMOCRATIC CHANGE (MDC) MORGAN TSVANGIRAI SAID HE WAS PLEASED WITH 
THE USG'S APPROACH TOWARD ZIMBABWE AND WITH HIS RECEPTION BY U.S. 
OFFICIALS DURING HIS RECENT VISIT TO WASHINGTON.  HE EXPECTS ZANU- 
PF TO INTENSIFY THE VIOLENCE IN THE RUN-UP TO THE 2002 
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, BUT INSISTS THE MDC WOULD NOT RESPOND IN 
KIND.  THE MDC PRESIDENT SAID HIS PARTY IS PREPARED TO PROVIDE 
IMMUNITY TO PRESIDENT MUGABE IF HE STEPS DOWN, BUT MUGABE DOES NOT 
TRUST THE MDC TO HONOR SUCH AN OFFER.  TSVANGIRAI BELIEVES THE 
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION WILL TAKE PLACE BECAUSE MUGABE NEEDS THAT 
STAMP OF LEGITIMACY.  BASED ON EXTENSIVE CONSULTATIONS WITH 
MILITARY OFFICERS, THE MDC LEADER IS CONVINCED THAT THE ARMED 
FORCES WILL NOT INTERVENE TO KEEP MUGABE IN POWER SHOULD 
TSVANGIRAI WIN THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.  TSVANGIRAI SAID THE 
 
SIPDIS 
UNITED STATES COULD BE MOST CONSTRUCTIVE BY REMAINING ENGAGED ON 
ZIMBABWE, COORDINATING ITS APPROACH WITH KEY MEMBERS OF THE 
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, AND BY PROVIDING ELECTION OBSERVERS AND 
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO THE ELECTORAL PROCESS.  END SUMMARY. 
 
2.  (C) THE CHARGE HOSTED MOVEMENT FOR DEMOCRATIC CHANGE (MDC) 
PRESIDENT MORGAN TSVANGIRAI FOR LUNCH AT HIS RESIDENCE ON JULY 31. 
TSVANGIRAI WAS ACCOMPANIED BY MDC DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL GIFT 
 
SIPDIS 
CHIMANIKIRE, WHILE THE CHARGE WAS JOINED BY THE DCM AND POLITICAL 
SECTION CHIEF. 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 03        HARARE  02322  01 OF 03  021703Z 
WASHINGTON VISIT 
---------------- 
 
3.  (C) ASKED FOR AN ASSESSMENT OF HIS RECENT VISIT TO WASHINGTON, 
TSVANGIRAI SAID IT HAD BEEN "VERY PRODUCTIVE."  DURING THE COURSE 
 
SIPDIS 
OF HIS MEETINGS WITH USG OFFICIALS -- INCLUDING DEPUTY SECRETARY 
ARMITAGE, A/S KANSTEINER, AND USAID ADMINISTRATOR NATSIOS -- 
TSVANGIRAI HAD NOTED A CHANGE IN ATTITUDE TOWARD ZIMBABWE AND A 
 
SIPDIS 
BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE MDC AND WHAT IT STANDS FOR. 
TSVANGIRAI PRAISED A/S KANSTEINER'S UNDERSTANDING OF THE SITUATION 
 
SIPDIS 
IN ZIMBABWE, PARTICULARLY OF THE POTENTIAL FOR BREAKDOWN HERE. 
 
POLITICAL VIOLENCE 
------------------ 
 
4.  (C) THE CHARGE INQUIRED WHETHER TSVANGIRAI ANTICIPATED AN 
INCREASE IN VIOLENCE IN THE RUN-UP TO THE 2002 PRESIDENTIAL 
ELECTION.   THE MDC PRESIDENT REPLIED THAT HE HAS NO DOUBT THAT 
ZANU-PF WILL INTENSIFY ITS CAMPAIGN OF VIOLENCE AGAINST THE 
OPPOSITION AND ZIMBABWEAN VOTERS, AS THIS IS A KEY ELEMENT OF 
THEIR STRATEGY FOR WINNING AT ALL COSTS.  THE JULY 28-29 BY- 
ELECTION IN BINDURA (SEPTEL) HAD CONFIRMED THAT EXPECTATION, AS 
THE RULING PARTY HAD BUSED IN VOTERS FROM OUTSIDE THE 
CONSTITUENCY, ESTABLISHED BASE CAMPS USED BY WAR VETERANS AND 
PARTY THUGS TO INTIMIDATE VILLAGERS, AND ASSIGNED 200 YOUTHS TO 
EACH POLLING STATION TO INTIMIDATE VOTERS.  ASKED WHETHER THE 
RULING PARTY COULD MOUNT SUCH AN EFFORT ON A NATIONAL SCALE, 
TSVANGIRAI SAID NO, AS THEY DID NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES OR 
 
SIPDIS 
MANPOWER.   THE MDC, TSVANGIRAI REPORTED, IS CONSIDERING 
BOYCOTTING FUTURE BY-ELECTIONS UNLESS CERTAIN CONDITIONS ARE MET 
THAT WILL INCREASE THE PROSPECTS FOR A FREE AND FAIR ELECTION. 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 04        HARARE  02322  01 OF 03  021703Z 
RECALLING THE ATTACK ON THE MDC PRESIDENT'S CONVOY IN BINDURA 
(REFTEL), THE CHARGE ASKED WHETHER TSVANGIRAI FELT THREATENED.  IF 
HIS CONVOY HAD INCLUDED ONLY A COUPLE OF CARS, TSVANGIRAI REPLIED, 
HE AND THE OTHER OCCUPANTS WOULD HAVE BEEN "PULVERIZED" AND HE 
MIGHT HAVE LOST HIS LIFE.  THAT SAID, THE MDC WAS DOING EVERYTHING 
POSSIBLE TO MINIMIZE RISK BUT REALIZED THAT IT CANNOT ELIMINATE 
IT.  HE WENT ON TO SAY THAT HE DID NOT FEEL THAT HIS LIFE WAS 
CONSTANTLY IN DANGER, DESCRIBING THE BINDURA INCIDENT AS A "ONE- 
OFF" ATTACK. 
 
5.  (C) THE CHARGE ASKED WHAT THE MDC'S STRATEGY IS FOR DEALING 
WITH ZANU-PF'S TACTICS.  WE WILL NOT FIGHT VIOLENCE WITH VIOLENCE, 
TSVANGIRAI INSISTED.  THE MDC'S STRATEGY HAS BEEN TO REDUCE ITS 
 
SIPDIS 
SUPPORTERS' EXPOSURE BY NOT HOLDING LARGE RALLIES IN HOTSPOTS AND 
BY QUIETLY EDUCATING PEOPLE ON THE GROUND TO REFRAIN FROM VIOLENCE 
AND TO DO WHATEVER IS NECESSARY TO PROTECT THEMSELVES, INCLUDING 
ATTENDING ZANU-PF RALLIES IF NECESSARY. 
 
DISILLUSIONMENT WITH ZANU-PF 
---------------------------- 
 
6.  (C) IN THE TWENTY-ONE YEARS SINCE INDEPENDENCE, ZANU-PF HAS 
DOMINATED ELECTORAL POLITICS AND BEEN ABLE TO WIN ELECTIONS 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
                           CONFIDENTIAL     PTQ6717 
 
PAGE 01        HARARE  02322  02 OF 03  021704Z 
ACTION AF-00 
 
INFO  LOG-00   CIAE-00  DODE-00  SRPP-00  EUR-00   VC-00    H-01 
      TEDE-00  INR-00   L-00     AC-01    NSAE-00  NSCE-00  OMB-01 
      PA-00    PM-00    PRS-00   ACE-00   P-00     SP-00    SS-00 
      TRSE-00  T-00     USIE-00  PMB-00   DRL-02   G-00     SAS-00 
        /005W 
                  ------------------0D4449  021704Z /45 
P 021314Z AUG 01 
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9407 
INFO NSC WASHDC PRIORITY 
SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY 
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 
 
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 02 OF 03 HARARE 002322 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR JENDAYI FRAZER 
LONDON FOR GURNEY 
PARIS FOR BISA WILLIAMS 
NAIROBI FOR PFLAUMER 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL. 08/01/11 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PHUM, PINR, MOPS, ZI 
SUBJECT: OPPOSITION LEADER TSVANGIRAI ON UPCOMING PRESIDENTIAL 
ELECTION 
 
EASILY, THE CHARGE NOTED.  WHAT HAS CHANGED THAT DYNAMIC? 
PRIMARILY THE DETERIORATION OF THE ECONOMY, TSVANGIRAI REPLIED, 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 02        HARARE  02322  02 OF 03  021704Z 
WHICH HAS LED TO A RISING DISILLUSIONMENT WITH PRESIDENT MUGABE'S 
LEADERSHIP.  THE YOUTH IN PARTICULAR ARE DISAFFECTED WITH MUGABE 
AND WILL NOT GIVE HIM ANOTHER CHANCE.  THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM FOR 
THE PRESIDENT, TSVANGIRAI POINTED OUT, BECAUSE SIXTY PERCENT OF 
ZIMBABWE'S POPULATION IS UNDER THE AGE OF 40. 
 
7.  (C) TSVANGIRAI DECLARED THAT ZANU-PF IS IN THE PROCESS OF 
DISINTEGRATING, AND THAT THAT PROCESS WOULD BE COMPLETE ONCE 
MUGABE GOES.  MUGABE, HE SAID, HAS PREVENTED THE REFORMERS, THOSE 
CAPABLE OF DEVELOPING A NATIONAL FOLLOWING, FROM ADVANCING WITHIN 
THE PARTY.  THERE ARE GOOD PEOPLE IN ZANU-PF, HE SAID, AND FINANCE 
MINISTER SIMBA MAKONI IS PROBABLY THE MOST QUALIFIED OF THEM. 
UNFORTUNATELY, TSVANGIRAI SAID, MAKONI HAD CHOSEN THE WRONG CAMP. 
 
MUGABE'S FUTURE 
--------------- 
 
8.  (C) THE CHARGE ASKED WHETHER MUGABE IS PREPARED TO STEP DOWN 
UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS.  THE ONE FACTOR WHICH GIVES MUGABE 
PAUSE, TSVANGIRAI SAID, IS THAT HE FEARS FOR HIS SECURITY SHOULD 
HE LEAVE OFFICE.  ASKED WHETHER HE COULD BE OFFERED A GOLDEN 
PARACHUTE, TSVANGIRAI ASSERTED THAT THAT WOULD DEPEND ON WHO 
OFFERED IT, AS MUGABE HAS "ALWAYS MISTRUSTED EVERYONE."  THE 
CHARGE ASKED WHETHER THE MDC WOULD MAKE SUCH AN OFFER.  TSVANGIRAI 
STRESSED THAT HIS PARTY HAS MADE CLEAR IN A NUMBER OF PUBLIC 
STATEMENTS THAT IT IS NOT INTERESTED IN RETRIBUTION.  WE ARE MORE 
INTERESTED, HE CONTINUED, IN REBUILDING THE COUNTRY THAN ON 
PUNISHING INDIVIDUALS.  THE MDC, HE SAID, IS PREPARED TO LET 
MUGABE RETIRE AND LIVE IN PEACE, BUT THE ZIMBABWEAN PRESIDENT 
"DOESN'T BELIEVE US." 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 03        HARARE  02322  02 OF 03  021704Z 
9.  (C) TSVANGIRAI REMARKED THAT MUGABE WANTS TO ESTABLISH THE 
TERMS FOR HIS OWN SUCCESSION, BUT THE TIME FOR HIM TO DO SO 
UNILATERALLY IS LONG PAST.  ASKED WHOM MUGABE WOULD PREFER AS HIS 
SUCCESSOR, TSVANGIRAI SAID WITHOUT HESITATION "IT'S OBVIOUS, 
EMMERSON MNANGAGWA [SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT AND ZANU-PF SECRETARY 
FOR ADMINISTRATION]."  HE DISMISSED MNANGAGWA'S ELECTORAL 
PROSPECTS, HOWEVER, INSISTING THAT HE HAS NO POLITICAL FUTURE IN 
ZIMBABWE -- ONCE MUGABE GOES -- AND WOULD LOSE SOUNDLY TO THE MDC 
PRESIDENT IN A PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.  (COMMENT: MNANGAGWA LOST 
HIS RUN FOR PARLIAMENT IN THE JUNE 2000 ELECTIONS, AS DID 
TSVANGIRAI, ALTHOUGH TSVANGIRAI SUBSEQUENTLY WON A HIGH COURT CASE 
 
SIPDIS 
OVERTURNING ZANU-PF'S VICTORY IN HIS CONSTITUENCY.)  TSVANGIRAI EXPRESS 
ED HIS BELIEF THAT MUGABE CANNOT AFFORD NOT TO HOLD THE ELECTION, WHICH 
 THE PRESIDENT SEES AS NECESSARY FOR HIS OWN E 
XTERNAL LEGITIMACY. 
 
10.  (C) ASKED WHETHER THE RECENT LAW BANNING FOREIGN FUNDING OF 
POLITICAL PARTIES HAD PROVED TO BE A SIGNIFICANT HINDRANCE FOR THE 
MDC, TSVANGIRAI SAID NO, THE LAW HAD BEEN MORE OF AN 
INCONVENIENCE.  HE POINTED OUT THAT ZANU-PF IS ALSO RECEIVING 
FUNDS FROM FOREIGN SOURCES. 
 
GETTING ALONG WITH YOUR NEIGHBORS 
--------------------------------- 
 
11.  (C) NOTING THAT TSVANGIRAI AND OTHER SENIOR MDC OFFICIALS 
HAVE HAD REGULAR CONTACTS WITH THE SOUTH AFRICAN GOVERNMENT AND 
THE CONGRESS OF SOUTH AFRICAN TRADE UNIONS (COSATU), THE CHARGE 
ASKED HOW THE NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES SAW THE SITUATION IN ZIMBABWE. 
THE GOVERNMENTS OF BOTSWANA, MOZAMBIQUE, AND SOUTH AFRICA, 
TSVANGIRAI REPLIED, ARE SYMPATHETIC WITH THE MDC'S POSITION, WHILE 
 
SIPDIS 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 04        HARARE  02322  02 OF 03  021704Z 
ZAMBIAN PRESIDENT CHILUBA PREFERS TO SIDE WITH MUGABE GIVEN HIS 
INTEREST IN PURSUING A THIRD TERM.  SOUTH AFRICA, HE CONTINUED, 
CAN AFFORD TO SPEAK OUT PUBLICLY ON DEVELOPMENTS IN ZIMBABWE, BUT 
IT IS TRYING TO FIND AN EFFECTIVE BALANCE BETWEEN ENGAGING MUGABE 
AND ISOLATING HIM. 
 
ROLE OF THE UNITED STATES? 
-------------------------- 
 
12.  (C) THE CHARGE ASKED HOW THE UNITED STATES COULD BEST HELP IN 
INCREASING THE PROSPECTS FOR A FREE AND FAIR ELECTION AND BUILDING 
DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES AND INSTITUTIONS IN ZIMBABWE.  TSVANGIRAI 
URGED THE UNITED STATES TO REMAIN ENGAGED AND TO CONTINUE TO 
CONDEMN "UNDEMOCRATIC PRACTICES."  THE REMARKS BY SECRETARY POWELL 
DURING HIS TRIP TO SOUTH AFRICA HAD BEEN VERY HELPFUL IN 
POSITIONING THE UNITED STATES ON THE SIDE OF THOSE HERE WHO ARE 
PRESSING FOR DEMOCRATIC CHANGE.  HE ALSO ENCOURAGED THE U.S. TO 
WORK CLOSELY WITH KEY AFRICAN LEADERS AND OTHER PARTNERS, SUCH AS 
THE EU, TO ENSURE, TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE, THAT THE INTERNATIONAL 
COMMUNITY SPEAKS WITH ONE VOICE ON ZIMBABWE.  HE ALSO ASKED FOR 
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO THE ELECTORAL PROCESS, SUCH AS CLEANING UP 
THE VOTERS ROLL, AND THAT THE UNITED STATES SEND ELECTION 
OBSERVERS. 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
                           CONFIDENTIAL     PTQ6718 
 
PAGE 01        HARARE  02322  03 OF 03  021705Z 
ACTION AF-00 
 
INFO  LOG-00   CIAE-00  DODE-00  SRPP-00  EUR-00   VC-00    H-01 
      TEDE-00  INR-00   L-00     AC-01    NSAE-00  NSCE-00  OMB-01 
      PA-00    PM-00    PRS-00   ACE-00   P-00     SP-00    SS-00 
      TRSE-00  T-00     USIE-00  PMB-00   DRL-02   G-00     SAS-00 
        /005W 
                  ------------------0D4454  021705Z /45 
P 021314Z AUG 01 
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9408 
INFO NSC WASHDC PRIORITY 
SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY 
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 
 
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 03 OF 03 HARARE 002322 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR JENDAYI FRAZER 
LONDON FOR GURNEY 
PARIS FOR BISA WILLIAMS 
NAIROBI FOR PFLAUMER 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL. 08/01/11 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PHUM, PINR, MOPS, ZI 
SUBJECT: OPPOSITION LEADER TSVANGIRAI ON UPCOMING PRESIDENTIAL 
ELECTION 
 
13.  (C) THE CHARGE INFORMED TSVANGIRAI THAT THE UNITED STATES IS 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 02        HARARE  02322  03 OF 03  021705Z 
PLANNING TO PROVIDE INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS BEFORE AND DURING THE 
ELECTION.  TSVANGIRAI WAS PLEASED WITH THAT NEWS AND STRESSED THE 
IMPORTANCE OF HAVING RESPECTED INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDE 
REGULAR ASSESSMENTS BEGINNING WELL IN ADVANCE OF THE VOTING DAYS. 
ASKED WHETHER THERE HAD BEEN MUCH SUBSTANTIVE DIFFERENCE IN THE 
REPORTS ISSUED BY EUROPEAN AND U.S. OBSERVERS LAST JUNE AND THOSE 
PUBLISHED BY SADC OBSERVERS, TSVANGIRAI DISMISSED THE SADC REPORTS 
AS TOO SOFT ON MUGABE.  HE REPORTED THAT ANC CHIEF WHIP TONY 
YENGENI HAD TOLD HIM RECENTLY THAT HE NOW REALIZES SADC'S 
ASSESSMENT OF THE JUNE 2000 ELECTION WAS INACCURATE. 
 
ROLE OF THE MILITARY 
-------------------- 
 
14.  (C) ASKED WHETHER MUGABE WOULD ALLOW THE MDC TO ASSUME POWER 
IF IT WINS THE ELECTION, TSVANGIRAI SAID HE WOULD HAVE LITTLE 
CHOICE, AS HE CANNOT RELY ON THE SECURITY SERVICES TO PROP HIM UP. 
THE MDC PRESIDENT SAID HE IS CONFIDENT  -- BASED ON EXTENSIVE 
CONSULTATIONS WITH THE MILITARY -- THAT THE ARMED FORCES WILL NOT 
INTERVENE TO KEEP MUGABE IN POWER SHOULD THE MDC WIN THE 
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.  HE THOUGHT THAT SOME UNITS, SUCH AS THE 
PRESIDENTIAL GUARD, MIGHT TRY TO DO SO, BUT THAT THE VAST MAJORITY 
OF ARMED FORCES MEMBERS WOULD ABIDE BY THE RESULTS OF THE 
ELECTION.  IN ADDITION, THERE ARE ONLY ABOUT 1,000 ROGUE WAR 
VETERANS ON WHOM MUGABE CAN DEPEND FOR SUPPORT. 
 
LAND 
---- 
 
15. (C) THE CHARGE ASKED TSVANGIRAI TO DESCRIBE THE MDC'S POLICY 
ON LAND.  IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO IMPLEMENT FAST-TRACK RESETTLEMENT 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 03        HARARE  02322  03 OF 03  021705Z 
ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, TSVANGIRAI CONTENDED.  IMPLEMENTATION OF A 
GENUINE LAND REFORM PROGRAM REQUIRES A PLAN AND RESOURCES, NEITHER 
OF WHICH FEATURES IN THE GOZ'S CURRENT CHAOTIC EFFORT.  AN 
ESSENTIAL STARTING POINT, HE DECLARED, IS FOR THE NATIONAL 
LEADERSHIP TO RECOGNIZE BOTH THAT COMMERCIAL AGRICULTURE IS VITAL 
TO THE COUNTRY'S WELL-BEING AND THAT SOCIAL EQUITY IS IMPORTANT. 
IN ADDITION, FARMWORKERS ARE A CRUCIAL PART OF THE LABOR FORCE AND 
MUST BE INCLUDED IN ANY SOLUTION TO THE LAND PROBLEM.  MANY OF 
THEM ARE THIRD- OR FOURTH-GENERATION ZIMBABWEANS AND TREATING THEM 
AS FOREIGNERS IS UNFAIR. 
 
MDC ON DRC 
---------- 
 
16.  (C) ASKED FOR HIS VIEWS ON THE DRC CONFLICT, TSVANGIRAI SAID 
IT CANNOT BE RESOLVED MILITARILY, BUT WHETHER A POLITICAL SOLUTION 
COULD BE ACHIEVED DEPENDS ON THE EXTENT TO WHICH PRESIDENT KABILA 
ENGAGES HIS COMPATRIOTS.  ZIMBABWE, HE CONTINUED, HAS NO NATIONAL 
SECURITY INTERESTS AT STAKE IN THE DRC.  IF HE WINS THE 
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, HE WOULD ORDER THE WITHDRAWAL OF ZIMBABWEAN 
TROOPS.  HE ADDED THAT THIS WOULD TAKE PLACE WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK 
OF THE LUSAKA PROCESS, IN A FASHION THAT WOULD NOT DESTABILIZE THE 
SITUATION IN THE DRC. 
 
COMMENT 
------- 
 
17.  (C) ALTHOUGH SOME OBSERVERS HAVE EXPRESSED DOUBTS ABOUT 
TSVANGIRAI'S EDUCATIONAL PREPARATION FOR THE PRESIDENCY (HIS 
 
SIPDIS 
ACADEMIC STUDIES DID NOT EXTEND BEYOND HIGH SCHOOL), HE IS 
BRIGHT, ARTICULATE, THOUGHTFUL, AND WELL-INFORMED, AND WAS 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 04        HARARE  02322  03 OF 03  021705Z 
COMFORTABLE DISCUSSING A RANGE OF DIFFICULT ISSUES.  HE WAS 
CONFIDENT BUT NOT ARROGANT AND SEEMED GENUINELY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT 
HIS PRESIDENTIAL RACE PROSPECTS. 
 
18.  (C) TSVANGIRAI'S EFFORTS TO CULTIVATE THE MILITARY LEADERSHIP 
ARE SMART POLITICS AND COULD PAY IMPORTANT DIVIDENDS DURING THE 
ELECTION AND ITS AFTERMATH.  HE MAY BE OVERLY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE 
NEUTRALITY OF THE MILITARY, HOWEVER.  WE WERE IMPRESSED BY 
TSVANGIRAI'S FOCUS ON THE FUTURE RATHER THAN ON MUGABE'S 
 
SIPDIS 
SHORTCOMINGS, AND ARE ENCOURAGED THAT HE IS PREPARED TO LET THE 
ZIMBABWEAN PRESIDENT RETIRE IN PEACE WITHOUT SEEKING RETRIBUTION. 
IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT TSVANGIRAI IS A SHREWD POLITICIAN, 
KEENLY AWARE OF THE NEED TO CULTIVATE THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, 
AND HIS COMMENTS MUST BE SEEN IN THAT LIGHT. 
 
HOOKS 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
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