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| Identifier: | 01HARARE3367 |
|---|---|
| Wikileaks: | View 01HARARE3367 at Wikileaks.org |
| Origin: | Embassy Harare |
| Created: | 2001-11-13 14:08:00 |
| Classification: | CONFIDENTIAL |
| Tags: | PREL PGOV PHUM ZI |
| Redacted: | This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks. |
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
131408Z Nov 01
CONFIDENTIAL PTQ1550
PAGE 01 HARARE 03367 131457Z
ACTION AF-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AID-00 ACQ-00 CIAE-00 INL-00 DODE-00
SRPP-00 DS-00 VC-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 LAB-01 VCE-00
DCP-01 NSAE-00 EPAE-00 DSCC-00 DRL-02 NFAT-00 SAS-00
/004W
------------------3D927E 131457Z /07
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0259
INFO NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L HARARE 003367
SIPDIS
NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR JENDAYI FRAZER
BRUSSELS ALSO FOR USEU
LONDON FOR GURNEY
PARIS FOR NEARY
E.O. 12958: DECL. 10/31/11
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PHUM, ZI
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR AND VICE PRESIDENT MSIKA DISCUSS
TERRORISM,
LAND REFORM, RULE OF LAW, ELECTION OBSERVATION
CLASSIFIED BY PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER BRUCE WHARTON. REASONS:
1.5. (B) AND (D).
SUMMARY
-----------
1. (C) IN AMBASSADOR SULLIVAN'S INITIAL COURTESY CALL ON VICE
PRESIDENT JOSEPH MSIKA ON NOVEMBER 8, THE VICE PRESIDENT
OFFERED HIS VIEW OF ZIMBABWE'S RECENT HISTORY AND A SPIRITED
DEFENSE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF ZIMBABWE'S (GOZ) RECORD ON RULE OF
LAW AND LAND REFORM. HE PLEDGED CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THE
GLOBAL EFFORT AGAINST TERRORISM AND SPOKE OF GOZ UMBRAGE AT
THE EUROPEAN UNION (EU) DEMAND THAT INTERNATIONAL ELECTION
OBSERVERS BE INVITED TO ZIMBABWE. MSIKA ALSO EXPRESSED CONCERN
THAT THE US WAS UNFAIRLY CRITICAL OF THE GOZ, SPECIFICALLY
NOTING THE POSSIBILITY OF SANCTIONS UNDER THE ZIMBABWE
DEMOCRACY AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACT (ZDERA). END SUMMARY.
FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM
----------------------------
2. (U) AMBASSADOR SULLIVAN OPENED THE MEETING BY THANKING MSIKA
FOR GOZ SUPPORT IN THE GLOBAL EFFORT AGAINST TERRORISM. THE
AMBASSADOR MADE FUNDAMENTAL POINTS ABOUT THE FIGHT AGAINST
TERROR AND RECEIVED MSIKA'S ASSURANCE THAT ZIMBABWE UNDERSTOOD
THE ISSUES AND WOULD MAINTAIN A STRONG POSITION AGAINST
TERRORISM.
US POLICY TOWARD ZIMBABWE
-----------------------------------
3. ( C ) VICE PRESIDENT MSIKA OFFERED A LENGTHY OVERVIEW OF THE
HISTORY OF ZIMBABWE SINCE 1979. THE POINTS HE MADE ABOUT THE
LANCASTER HOUSE NEGOTIATIONS, INEQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF LAND
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 03 HARARE 03367 131457Z
IN ZIMBABWE, THE COUNTRY'S HISTORY OF ELECTIONS, AND THE
POPULAR DEMAND FOR LAND FOLLOWED PRECISELY THE ARGUMENTS MADE
BY PRESIDENT MUGABE AT AMBASSADOR SULLIVAN'S PRESENTATION OF
CREDENTIALS TWO WEEKS EARLIER. MSIKA ENDED THE HISTORY LESSON
BY ASKING WHY THE UNITED STATES NOW WANTED TO "INTRODUCE
SANCTIONS" (AN APPARENT REFERENCE TO THE ZDERA) AND HEATEDLY
DISAGREEING WITH THE NOTION THAT ZIMBABWE HAD ABANDONED THE
RULE OF LAW AND DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE.
4. ( C ) AMBASSADOR SULLIVAN RESPONDED THAT HE WELCOMED THE
VICE PRESIDENT'S FRANKNESS AND WOULD ALSO SPEAK PLAINLY. THE
AMBASSADOR POINTED OUT THAT THE US HAD SUPPORTED AFRICAN
INDEPENDENCE SINCE BEFORE THE KENNEDY ERA, HAD OPPOSED THE IAN
SMITH GOVERNMENT AND HAD SUPPORTED MAJORITY RULE IN
RHODESIA/ZIMBABWE. HE ALSO EXPLAINED THAT THE US HAD PROVIDED
OVER US$700 MILLION SINCE 1980 IN FULFILLMENT OF THE PLEDGE IT
MADE AT THE LANCASTER HOUSE NEGOTIATIONS. THE AMBASSADOR WENT
ON TO SAY THAT THE US SUPPORTED THE PRINCIPLES AGREED TO AT THE
1998 DONORS' CONFERENCE ON LAND REFORM IN ZIMBABWE, BUT THAT
ZIMBABWE HAD DEVIATED FROM THOSE PRINCIPLES. HE SPOKE OF THE
VIOLENCE ASSOCIATED WITH POLITICS AND LAND REFORM AND SAID THAT
THE RULE OF LAW HAD NOT BEEN FOLLOWED IN ZIMBABWE. THE
AMBASSADOR EXPLAINED THE CURRENT STATUS OF THE ZDERA, POINTED
OUT THAT IT OFFERED MORE INCENTIVES THAN SANCTIONS, AND SAID
THAT ZIMBABWE'S RETURN TO THE RULE OF LAW WOULD OPEN THE
POSSIBILITY OF TAKING ADVANTAGE OF SUCH INCENTIVES.
LAND REFORM AND ABUJA
--------------------------
5. ( C ) VICE PRESIDENT MSIKA STOUTLY DEFENDED THE GOZ RECORD
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 04 HARARE 03367 131457Z
ON LAND REFORM AND RULE OF LAW. HE STATED THAT VIOLENCE ON THE
FARMS HAD BEEN STARTED BY WHITE COMMERCIAL FARMERS AND BY
"PEOPLE WHO DID NOT WANT TO SHARE." HE INSISTED THAT HIS
GOVERNMENT HAD NOT DEVIATED FROM THE PRINCIPLES OF THE 1998
DONORS' CONFERENCE, IS PEACE LOVING AND BELIEVES IN THE RULE OF
LAW. HE SAID THAT "EXTERNAL FORCES" HAD MADE THE LAND REFORM
ISSUE "MORE COMPLICATED" AND HAD MADE "PEOPLE DO THINGS THEY
SHOULD NOT HAVE DONE." AS MSIKA EXPLAINED IT, THE
PEASANTS'
HUNGER FOR LAND, THE PEOPLE'S ANGER, AND THE PRESENCE OF
"CRIMINALS MASQUERADING AS EX-COMBATANTS," RESULTED IN THE
OCCUPATION OF FARMS THAT DID NOT MEET THE GOZ CRITERIA FOR
SEIZURE. AS EVIDENCE OF THE GOZ DETERMINATION TO ABIDE BY
THE RULE OF LAW, HE DETAILED HIS EFFORTS TO REMOVE MORE THAN
600 FARMS FROM THE LIST OF PROPERTIES APPROVED FOR SEIZURE. HE
DID NOT EXPLAIN HOW FARMS THAT DID NOT MEET GOZ CRITERIA FOR
ON TO SAY THAT THE GOZ HAD NEVER DEVIATED FROM ITS PRINCIPLED
STAND ON LAND REFORM OR THE RULE OF LAW, AND THAT THE ABUJA
AGREEMENT OF SEPTEMBER CONFIRMED THE JUSTICE OF ITS POLICIES
AND ACTIONS. MSIKA SAID THAT ZIMBABWE'S LAND PROBLEMS EXISTED
BEFORE THE ABUJA AGREEMENT AND WOULD TAKE MORE TIME TO RESOLVE.
HE AGAIN MADE THE POINT THAT ZINBABWE HAD "SUFFERED FROM
LAND REFORM, RULE OF LAW, ELECTION OBSERVATION
INTERNATIONAL INTERFERENCE THAT COMPLICATED OUR PATH."
AMBASSADOR SULLIVAN URGED MSIKA TO PREVENT FUTURE VIOLENCE AND
TO CONTINUE TO MOVE INVADERS OFF OF ILLEGALLY OCCUPIED FARMS.
ELECTION OBSERVERS
----------------------
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 05 HARARE 03367 131457Z
6. ( C ) AMBASSADOR SULLIVAN RAISED THE ISSUE OF ELECTION
OBSERVERS, EXPRESSING THE HOPE THAT THE GOZ WOULD INVITE
INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS AND ASKING WHEN A DECISION MIGHT BE
MADE ON THAT ISSUE. MSIKA REPLIED THAT IT WAS HIS "CONVICTION"
THAT ZIMBABWE WOULD BE HAPPY TO INVITE OBSERVERS OR MONITORS IF
AND WHEN THEY WERE NEEDED. THE VP MADE A CLEAR DISTINCTION
BETWEEN OBSERVERS AND MONITORS AND SAID HE SAW NO NEED FOR
INTERNATIONAL MONITORS IN ZIMBABWE. MSIKA EXPRESSED ANGER OVER
WHAT HE CHARACTERIZED AS THE EU "DEMAND" THAT OBSERVERS BE
INVITED. HE SAID THAT ZIMBABWE'S SOVEREIGNTY AND INDEPENDENCE
ARE "NOT NEGOTIABLE" AND THAT NO ONE HAS THE RIGHT TO DEMAND
THAT THE GOZ INVITE OBSERVERS. HE SAID THAT ZIMBABWE HAD
NOTHING TO HIDE AND POINTED TO THE GOVERNMENT'S DEFEAT IN THE
FEBRUARY 2000 CONSTITUTIONAL REFERENDUM AS EVIDENCE OF
ZIMBABWE'S CAPACITY TO RUN FAIR ELECTIONS. THE AMBASSADOR MADE
THE POINT THAT INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS ARE STANDARD PRACTICE
AROUND THE WORLD, INCLUDING IN THE US, AND THAT THEY ENHANCE
CONFIDENCE IN ELECTION RESULTS AND REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTION-
RELATED VIOLENCE.
WE ARE NOT THE ENEMY
---------------------------
7. ( C ) MSIKA ENDED THE MEETING BY SAYING THAT ZIMBABWE NEEDED
THE US - NEEDED ITS BUSINESS, ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT. HE THEN
ASKED WHY THE US WANTED TO "MAKE ZIMBABWE YOUR ENEMY - WE ARE
NOT THE ENEMY." MSIKA RECOUNTED THAT HE HAD BEEN IN THE US
DURING THE 1988 ELECTIONS AND HAD BEEN IMPRESSED BY THE ABILITY
OF AMERICANS FROM DIFFERENT POLITICAL PARTIES TO DISCUSS
ISSUES. HE SAID THAT HAD TAUGHT HIM AN IMPORTANT LESSON ABOUT
DIALOGUE BETWEEN PEOPLE WITH DIFFERENT POINTS OF VIEW AND THAT
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 06 HARARE 03367 131457Z
HE HOPED THAT HE AND THE AMBASSADOR COULD CONTINUE TO ENGAGE IN
OPEN, HONEST DISCUSSIONS.
COMMENT
-----------
8. ( C ) VICE PRESIDENT MSIKA'S VERSION OF ZIMBABWE'S RECENT
ON LAND REFORM AND RULE OF LAW, FOLLOWS VERY CLOSELY RECENT
STATEMENTS BY PRESIDENT MUGABE AND OTHER HIGH-RANKING GOZ
OFFICIALS. THEY CLEARLY HAVE A UNIFIED SET OF TALKING POINTS.
THAT BOTH MUGABE AND MSIKA MADE THE EFFORT TO OFFER THE
AMBASSADOR A LENGTHY HISTORY LESSON -ALBEIT A ONE-SIDED ONE -
INDICATES BOTH THEIR VIEW OF THE WORLD AND THEIR BELIEF THAT WE
DO NOT UNDERSTAND OR APPRECIATE THAT VIEW. IN SPITE OF VP
MSIKA'S PROFESSED DESIRE FOR OPEN, FRANK DISCUSSION, THERE DOES
NOT SEEM TO BE MUCH ROOM FOR ALTERNATIVE POINTS OF VIEW ON HOW
ZIMBABWE HAS COME TO ITS CURRENT STATE OF AFFAIRS. RECENT
MEETINGS WITH VP MSIKA AND OTHER SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS
INDICATE THE US ACCESS TO THE GOZ HAS IMPROVED FOR THE TIME
BEING. THE TOP ZANU-PF LEADERSHIP SEES THIS EXERCISE AS ONE OF
PERSUADING US NOT TO BE THEIR ENEMIES RATHER THAN LISTENING TO
WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO AVOID FURTHER DETERIORATION OF
RELATIONS.
9. ( C ) ON NOVEMBER 12, THE AMBASSADOR WAS CONVOKED TO PAY A
COURTESY CALL ON ZIMBABWE'S OTHER VICE PRESIDENT, SIMON
MUZENDA; SLIGHTLY OLDER THAN VP MSIKA (79 V
S. 77), SLIGHTLY
MORE IRRELEVANT, AND EQUALLY LOYAL TO PRESIDENT MUGABE. THE
MEETING WAS EVEN LESS SUBSTANTIVE WITH MUCH OF THE CONVERSATION
DEVOTED TO TELLING MUZENDA WHY THE RHODESIANS' LABELING OF
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 07 HARARE 03367 131457Z
LIBERATION FIGHTERS AS "TERRORISTS" OUGHT NOT INHIBIT THE ZANU-
PF GOVERNMENT FROM WHOLEHEARTED SUPPORT OF THE WAR AGAINST THE
AL QAEDA TERRORIST NETWORK. MORE INTERESTING WAS THE FRANK AND
SOMEWHAT NAIVE.QUESTIONS FROM MUZENDA: "WHY DO YOU AMERICANS
WANT TO KICK OUT MUGABE?" WE GAVE THE STANDARD ANSWER THAT IT
WAS UP TO ZIMBABWEANS TO CHOOSE THEIR LEADERS THROUGH FREE AND
FAIR ELECTIONS AND MADE THE CASE FOR BROAD OBSERVATION OF
ELECTIONS.
SULLIVAN
CONFIDENTIAL
>
@@@OASYS@@@
CONFIDENTIAL PTQ1510
PAGE 01 HARARE 03367 01 OF 02 131451Z
ACTION AF-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AID-00 ACQ-00 CIAE-00 INL-00 DODE-00
SRPP-00 DS-00 VC-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 LAB-01 VCE-00
DCP-01 NSAE-00 EPAE-00 DSCC-00 DRL-02 NFAT-00 SAS-00
/004W
------------------3D917B 131452Z /38
P 131408Z NOV 01
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0259
INFO NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 HARARE 003367
SIPDIS
NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR JENDAYI FRAZER
BRUSSELS ALSO FOR USEU
LONDON FOR GURNEY
PARIS FOR NEARY
E.O. 12958: DECL. 10/31/11
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PHUM, ZI
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR AND VICE PRESIDENT MSIKA DISCUSS
TERRORISM,
LAND REFORM, RULE OF LAW, ELECTION OBSERVATION
CLASSIFIED BY PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER BRUCE WHARTON. REASONS:
1.5. (B) AND (D).
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 HARARE 03367 01 OF 02 131451Z
SUMMARY
-----------
1. (C) IN AMBASSADOR SULLIVAN'S INITIAL COURTESY CALL ON VICE
PRESIDENT JOSEPH MSIKA ON NOVEMBER 8, THE VICE PRESIDENT
OFFERED HIS VIEW OF ZIMBABWE'S RECENT HISTORY AND A SPIRITED
DEFENSE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF ZIMBABWE'S (GOZ) RECORD ON RULE OF
LAW AND LAND REFORM. HE PLEDGED CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THE
GLOBAL EFFORT AGAINST TERRORISM AND SPOKE OF GOZ UMBRAGE AT
THE EUROPEAN UNION (EU) DEMAND THAT INTERNATIONAL ELECTION
OBSERVERS BE INVITED TO ZIMBABWE. MSIKA ALSO EXPRESSED CONCERN
THAT THE US WAS UNFAIRLY CRITICAL OF THE GOZ, SPECIFICALLY
NOTING THE POSSIBILITY OF SANCTIONS UNDER THE ZIMBABWE
DEMOCRACY AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACT (ZDERA). END SUMMARY.
FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM
----------------------------
2. (U) AMBASSADOR SULLIVAN OPENED THE MEETING BY THANKING MSIKA
FOR GOZ SUPPORT IN THE GLOBAL EFFORT AGAINST TERRORISM. THE
AMBASSADOR MADE FUNDAMENTAL POINTS ABOUT THE FIGHT AGAINST
TERROR AND RECEIVED MSIKA'S ASSURANCE THAT ZIMBABWE UNDERSTOOD
THE ISSUES AND WOULD MAINTAIN A STRONG POSITION AGAINST
TERRORISM.
US POLICY TOWARD ZIMBABWE
-----------------------------------
3. ( C ) VICE PRESIDENT MSIKA OFFERED A LENGTHY OVERVIEW OF THE
HISTORY OF ZIMBABWE SINCE 1979. THE POINTS HE MADE ABOUT THE
LANCASTER HOUSE NEGOTIATIONS, INEQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF LAND
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 03 HARARE 03367 01 OF 02 131451Z
IN ZIMBABWE, THE COUNTRY'S HISTORY OF ELECTIONS, AND THE
POPULAR DEMAND FOR LAND FOLLOWED PRECISELY THE ARGUMENTS MADE
BY PRESIDENT MUGABE AT AMBASSADOR SULLIVAN'S PRESENTATION OF
CREDENTIALS TWO WEEKS EARLIER. MSIKA ENDED THE HISTORY LESSON
BY ASKING WHY THE UNITED STATES NOW WANTED TO "INTRODUCE
SANCTIONS" (AN APPARENT REFERENCE TO THE ZDERA) AND HEATEDLY
DISAGREEING WITH THE NOTION THAT ZIMBABWE HAD ABANDONED THE
RULE OF LAW AND DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE.
4. ( C ) AMBASSADOR SULLIVAN RESPONDED THAT HE WELCOMED THE
VICE PRESIDENT'S FRANKNESS AND WOULD ALSO SPEAK PLAINLY. THE
AMBASSADOR POINTED OUT THAT THE US HAD SUPPORTED AFRICAN
INDEPENDENCE SINCE BEFORE THE KENNEDY ERA, HAD OPPOSED THE IAN
SMITH GOVERNMENT AND HAD SUPPORTED MAJORITY RULE IN
RHODESIA/ZIMBABWE. HE ALSO EXPLAINED THAT THE US HAD PROVIDED
OVER US$700 MILLION SINCE 1980 IN FULFILLMENT OF THE PLEDGE IT
MADE AT THE LANCASTER HOUSE NEGOTIATIONS. THE AMBASSADOR WENT
ON TO SAY THAT THE US SUPPORTED THE PRINCIPLES AGREED TO AT THE
1998 DONORS' CONFERENCE ON LAND REFORM IN ZIMBABWE, BUT THAT
ZIMBABWE HAD DEVIATED FROM THOSE PRINCIPLES. HE SPOKE OF THE
VIOLENCE ASSOCIATED WITH POLITICS AND LAND REFORM AND SAID THAT
THE RULE OF LAW HAD NOT BEEN FOLLOWED IN ZIMBABWE. THE
AMBASSADOR EXPLAINED THE CURRENT STATUS OF THE ZDERA, POINTED
OUT THAT IT OFFERED MORE INCENTIVES THAN SANCTIONS, AND SAID
THAT ZIMBABWE'S RETURN TO THE RULE OF LAW WOULD OPEN THE
POSSIBILITY OF TAKING ADVANTAGE OF SUCH INCENTIVES.
LAND REFORM AND ABUJA
--------------------------
5. ( C ) VICE PRESIDENT MSIKA STOUTLY DEFENDED THE GOZ RECORD
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 04 HARARE 03367 01 OF 02 131451Z
ON LAND REFORM AND RULE OF LAW. HE STATED THAT VIOLENCE ON THE
FARMS HAD BEEN STARTED BY WHITE COMMERCIAL FARMERS AND BY
"PEOPLE WHO DID NOT WANT TO SHARE." HE INSISTED THAT HIS
GOVERNMENT HAD NOT DEVIATED FROM THE PRINCIPLES OF THE 1998
DONORS' CONFERENCE, IS PEACE LOVING AND BELIEVES IN THE RULE OF
LAW. HE SAID THAT "EXTERNAL FORCES" HAD MADE THE LAND REFORM
ISSUE "MORE COMPLICATED" AND HAD MADE "PEOPLE DO THINGS THEY
SHOULD NOT HAVE DONE." AS MSIKA EXPLAINED IT, THE
PEASANTS'
HUNGER FOR LAND, THE PEOPLE'S ANGER, AND THE PRESENCE OF
"CRIMINALS MASQUERADING AS EX-COMBATANTS," RESULTED IN THE
OCCUPATION OF FARMS THAT DID NOT MEET THE GOZ CRITERIA FOR
SEIZURE. AS EVIDENCE OF THE GOZ DETERMINATION TO ABIDE BY
THE RULE OF LAW, HE DETAILED HIS EFFORTS TO REMOVE MORE THAN
600 FARMS FROM THE LIST OF PROPERTIES APPROVED FOR SEIZURE. HE
DID NOT EXPLAIN HOW FARMS THAT DID NOT MEET GOZ CRITERIA FOR
ON TO SAY THAT THE GOZ HAD NEVER DEVIATED FROM ITS PRINCIPLED
STAND ON LAND REFORM OR THE RULE OF LAW, AND THAT THE ABUJA
AGREEMENT OF SEPTEMBER CONFIRMED THE JUSTICE OF ITS POLICIES
AND ACTIONS. MSIKA SAID THAT ZIMBABWE'S LAND PROBLEMS EXISTED
BEFORE THE ABUJA AGREEMENT AND WOULD TAKE MORE TIME TO RESOLVE.
HE AGAIN MADE THE POINT THAT ZINBABWE HAD "SUFFERED FROM
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL PTQ1512
PAGE 01 HARARE 03367 02 OF 02 131452Z
ACTION AF-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AID-00 ACQ-00 CIAE-00 INL-00 DODE-00
SRPP-00 DS-00 VC-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 LAB-01
VCE-00 DCP-01 NSAE-00 DSCC-00 DRL-02 NFAT-00 SAS-00
/004W
------------------3D918D 131452Z /38
P 131408Z NOV 01
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0260
INFO NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 02 OF 02 HARARE 003367
SIPDIS
NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR JENDAYI FRAZER
BRUSSELS ALSO FOR USEU
LONDON FOR GURNEY
PARIS FOR NEARY
E.O. 12958: DECL. 10/31/11
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PHUM, ZI
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR AND VICE PRESIDENT MSIKA DISCUSS
TERRORISM,
LAND REFORM, RULE OF LAW, ELECTION OBSERVATION
INTERNATIONAL INTERFERENCE THAT COMPLICATED OUR PATH."
AMBASSADOR SULLIVAN URGED MSIKA TO PREVENT FUTURE VIOLENCE AND
TO CONTINUE TO MOVE INVADERS OFF OF ILLEGALLY OCCUPIED FARMS.
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 HARARE 03367 02 OF 02 131452Z
ELECTION OBSERVERS
----------------------
6. ( C ) AMBASSADOR SULLIVAN RAISED THE ISSUE OF ELECTION
OBSERVERS, EXPRESSING THE HOPE THAT THE GOZ WOULD INVITE
INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS AND ASKING WHEN A DECISION MIGHT BE
MADE ON THAT ISSUE. MSIKA REPLIED THAT IT WAS HIS "CONVICTION"
THAT ZIMBABWE WOULD BE HAPPY TO INVITE OBSERVERS OR MONITORS IF
AND WHEN THEY WERE NEEDED. THE VP MADE A CLEAR DISTINCTION
BETWEEN OBSERVERS AND MONITORS AND SAID HE SAW NO NEED FOR
INTERNATIONAL MONITORS IN ZIMBABWE. MSIKA EXPRESSED ANGER OVER
WHAT HE CHARACTERIZED AS THE EU "DEMAND" THAT OBSERVERS BE
INVITED. HE SAID THAT ZIMBABWE'S SOVEREIGNTY AND INDEPENDENCE
ARE "NOT NEGOTIABLE" AND THAT NO ONE HAS THE RIGHT TO DEMAND
THAT THE GOZ INVITE OBSERVERS. HE SAID THAT ZIMBABWE HAD
NOTHING TO HIDE AND POINTED TO THE GOVERNMENT'S DEFEAT IN THE
FEBRUARY 2000 CONSTITUTIONAL REFERENDUM AS EVIDENCE OF
ZIMBABWE'S CAPACITY TO RUN FAIR ELECTIONS. THE AMBASSADOR MADE
THE POINT THAT INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS ARE STANDARD PRACTICE
AROUND THE WORLD, INCLUDING IN THE US, AND THAT THEY ENHANCE
CONFIDENCE IN ELECTION RESULTS AND REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTION-
RELATED VIOLENCE.
WE ARE NOT THE ENEMY
---------------------------
7. ( C ) MSIKA ENDED THE MEETING BY SAYING THAT ZIMBABWE NEEDED
THE US - NEEDED ITS BUSINESS, ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT. HE THEN
ASKED WHY THE US WANTED TO "MAKE ZIMBABWE YOUR ENEMY - WE ARE
NOT THE ENEMY." MSIKA RECOUNTED THAT HE HAD BEEN IN THE US
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 03 HARARE 03367 02 OF 02 131452Z
DURING THE 1988 ELECTIONS AND HAD BEEN IMPRESSED BY THE ABILITY
OF AMERICANS FROM DIFFERENT POLITICAL PARTIES TO DISCUSS
ISSUES. HE SAID THAT HAD TAUGHT HIM AN IMPORTANT LESSON ABOUT
DIALOGUE BETWEEN PEOPLE WITH DIFFERENT POINTS OF VIEW AND THAT
HE HOPED THAT HE AND THE AMBASSADOR COULD CONTINUE TO ENGAGE IN
OPEN, HONEST DISCUSSIONS.
COMMENT
-----------
8. ( C ) VICE PRESIDENT MSIKA'S VERSION OF ZIMBABWE'S RECENT
ON LAND REFORM AND RULE OF LAW, FOLLOWS VERY CLOSELY RECENT
STATEMENTS BY PRESIDENT MUGABE AND OTHER HIGH-RANKING GOZ
OFFICIALS. THEY CLEARLY HAVE A UNIFIED SET OF TALKING POINTS.
THAT BOTH MUGABE AND MSIKA MADE THE EFFORT TO OFFER THE
AMBASSADOR A LENGTHY HISTORY LESSON -ALBEIT A ONE-SIDED ONE -
INDICATES BOTH THEIR VIEW OF THE WORLD AND THEIR BELIEF THAT WE
DO NOT UNDERSTAND OR APPRECIATE THAT VIEW. IN SPITE OF VP
MSIKA'S PROFESSED DESIRE FOR OPEN, FRANK DISCUSSION, THERE DOES
NOT SEEM TO BE MUCH ROOM FOR ALTERNATIVE POINTS OF VIEW ON HOW
ZIMBABWE HAS COME TO ITS CURRENT STATE OF AFFAIRS. RECENT
MEETINGS WITH VP MSIKA AND OTHER SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS
INDICATE THE US ACCESS TO THE GOZ HAS IMPROVED FOR THE TIME
BEING. THE TOP ZANU-PF LEADERSHIP SEES THIS EXERCISE AS ONE OF
PERSUADING US NOT TO BE THEIR ENEMIES RATHER THAN LISTENING TO
WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO AVOID FURTHER DETERIORATION OF
RELATIONS.
9. ( C ) ON NOVEMBER 12, THE AMBASSADOR WAS CONVOKED TO PAY A
COURTESY CALL ON ZIMBABWE'S OTHER VICE PRESIDENT, SIMON
MUZENDA; SLIGHTLY OLDER THAN VP MSIKA (79 V
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 04 HARARE 03367 02 OF 02 131452Z
S. 77), SLIGHTLY
MORE IRRELEVANT, AND EQUALLY LOYAL TO PRESIDENT MUGABE. THE
MEETING WAS EVEN LESS SUBSTANTIVE WITH MUCH OF THE CONVERSATION
DEVOTED TO TELLING MUZENDA WHY THE RHODESIANS' LABELING OF
LIBERATION FIGHTERS AS "TERRORISTS" OUGHT NOT INHIBIT THE ZANU-
PF GOVERNMENT FROM WHOLEHEARTED SUPPORT OF THE WAR AGAINST THE
AL QAEDA TERRORIST NETWORK. MORE INTERESTING WAS THE FRANK AND
SOMEWHAT NAIVE.QUESTIONS FROM MUZENDA: "WHY DO YOU AMERICANS
WANT TO KICK OUT MUGABE?" WE GAVE THE STANDARD ANSWER THAT IT
WAS UP TO ZIMBABWEANS TO CHOOSE THEIR LEADERS THROUGH FREE AND
FAIR ELECTIONS AND MADE THE CASE FOR BROAD OBSERVATION OF
ELECTIONS.
SULLIVAN
CONFIDENTIAL
>
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