US embassy cable - 02HARARE204

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 HARARE 000204 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR AF, A/S KANSTEINER AND DAS BELLAMY; ALSO FOR 
AF/S 
NSC FOR SENIOR DIRECTOR FRAZER 
PARIS FOR NEARY 
LONDON FOR GURNEY 
STATE PLEASE PASS TO EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/12 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PHUM, ZI, EU 
SUBJECT: LAST-MINUTE GOZ RESPONSE TO EU ULTIMATUM 
FALLS SHORT OF THE MARK, EU DIPLOMATS STATE 
 
 
CLASSIFIED BY DCM REWHITEHEAD DUE TO 1.5 (B) AND (D). 
 

1.  (C) THE GOZ SUBMITTED A LETTER FROM FOREIGN MINISTER 
MUDENGE TO THE EU IN HARARE AT 8:00 P.M. ON JANUARY 18, 
JUST HOURS BEFORE EXPIRATION OF THE ONE-WEEK DEADLINE 
IMPOSED BY THE EU DURING ITS JANUARY 11 ARTICLE 96 
CONSULTATIONS WITH A MUDENGE-LED GOZ DELEGATION.  THE 
LETTER WAS NOT SIGNED BY MUDENGE, WHO WAS ABSENT FROM 
ZIMBABWE WHEN THE LETTER WAS DELIVERED.  BRITISH HIGH 
COMMISSIONER DONNELLY AND SWEDISH COUNSELOR FOUM 
PROVIDED COPIES OF THE LETTER AND THEIR COMMENTS TO DCM 
ON JANUARY 21.  THEY CHARACTERIZED THE LETTER AS 
"RUBBISH" AND "GARBAGE", RESPECTIVELY, AND LISTED THE 
FOLLOWING SHORTCOMINGS. 
 
2.  (C) ON THE QUESTION OF POLITICAL VIOLENCE, THE 
LETTER CITED RECENT PUBLIC STATEMENTS BY MUGABE, VARIOUS 
MINISTERS, AND THE ZIMBABWEAN COMMISSIONER OF POLICE 
CRITICAL OF VIOLENCE -- AND ALSO THE GOZ'S AGREEMENT IN 
BLANTYRE TO LAUNCH A PEACE CAMPAIGN -- AS EVIDENCE OF 
THE GOZ'S GOOD FAITH.  THE LETTER ALSO STATED THAT THE 
GOZ "IS READY TO CONSIDER" A PROPOSAL TO SEEK AGREEMENT 
(WITH THE OPPOSITION) ON AN ELECTORAL CODE OF CONDUCT. 
ON ELECTIONS, THE LETTER CLAIMS THAT THE AMENDED 
ELECTORAL LAW STRENGTHENS THE ELECTORAL SUPERVISORY 
COMMISSION AND, THOUGH NOT STATED, PRESUMABLY OBVIATES 
THE NEED FOR AN INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSION.  THE 
LETTER CONFIRMS THAT THE GOZ PLANS TO INVITE NATIONAL, 
REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS, THE LATTER DRAWN 
FROM THE ACP/EU, SADC, OAU/AU, COMMONWEALTH, AND THE 
UNITED NATIONS.  THERE IS NO MENTION OF A START-UP DATE 
OR WHEN FORMAL INVITATIONS WILL BE DELIVERED. 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 03        HARARE  00204  01 OF 04  221423Z 
3.  (C) THE MUDENGE LETTER NEXT ADDRESSES FREEDOM OF THE 
MEDIA, CLAIMING THAT THE EXISTENCE OF A "VIGOROUS AND 
COMBATIVE" PRIVATE MEDIA ILLUSTRATES THE FREEDOM OF THE 
PRESS.  IT ATTACKS TWO "PRO-MDC SHORT-WAVE RADIO STATION 
...BEAMING INCITING, ANTI-ZIMBABWE PROPAGANDA...FROM THE 
UNITED KINGDOM AND THE NETHERLANDS" AND QUOTES THE 
JANUARY 14 COMMUNIQUE FROM SADC LEADERS EXPRESSING 
CONCERN OVER THIS ISSUE.  THIS SECTION OF THE LETTER 
AFFIRMS THE GOZ PRACTICE OF LETTING INTERNATIONAL 
CORRESPONDENTS COVER NATIONAL EVENTS "ON THE BASIS OF 
(GOZ) LAWS AND REGULATIONS."  THE LETTER REJECTS 
ALLEGATIONS THAT THE GOZ HAS INTERFERED WITH THE 
JUDICIARY AND CLAIMS THAT NO FURTHER ILLEGAL FARM 
OCCUPATION HAS TAKEN PLACE SINCE THE CONCLUSION OF THE 
ABUJA AGREEMENT ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2001.  THE DOCUMENT 
CONCLUDES WITH A LENGTHY EXPRESSION OF GOZ CONCERN OVER 
THE ARBITRARY AND UNILATERAL APPROACH THE EU HAS TAKEN, 
AND CALLS FOR FURTHER DIALOGUE. 
 
4.  (C) EU AMBASSADORS MET ON JANUARY 19 TO DRAFT A 
COMMON RESPONSE TO MUDENGE'S LETTER, TO BE CLEARED WITH 
THEIR CAPITALS.  FOUM, WHO ATTENDED THIS MEETING, 
OFFERED TO PASS US A COPY WHEN IT IS IN FINAL.  HE NOTED 
THAT THE DATE OF THE JANUARY 28 GENERAL AFFAIRS COUNCIL 
COINCIDES WITH THE SIX-WEEK PERIOD IDENTIFIED BY THE EU 
AS THE MINIMUM TIME NECESSARY FOR ELECTION OBSERVATION. 
HE SAID THAT IF THE GOZ CONTINUES ITS FOOT-DRAGGING, HE 
BELIEVES THAT THE GAC COULD CONSIDER TAKING ACTION ON 
SOME STILL UNSPECIFIED SANCTIONS. 
 
5.  (C) COMMENT.  THERE IS STILL NO CONSENSUS ON WHAT 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 04        HARARE  00204  01 OF 04  221423Z 
COMES NEXT AMONG EU DIPLOMATS HERE, ALTHOUGH THERE IS A 
NEAR UNANIMOUS AGREEMENT THAT THE GOZ IS NOT ACTING IN 
GOOD FAITH AND THAT GOZ RHETORIC HAS DONE LITTLE TO CURB 
ONGOING VIOLENCE.  THE SAMPLING OF EU DIPLOMATS WITH 
WHOM WE HAVE SPOKEN PREDICT THAT THE JANUARY 28 GAC MAY 
WELL BE PIVOTAL, AND CONTINUED USG CONSULTATION WITH EU 
STATES WILL BE IMPORTANT DURING THE INTERVENING PERIOD. 
END COMMENT. 
 
6.  (SBU) BEGIN TEXT OF MUDENGE LETTER: 
 
18 JANUARY 2002 
 
THE HONORABLE JOSEP PIQUE 
PRESIDENT OF THE GENERAL AFFAIRS COUNCIL OF THE EU 
 
MR. PRESIDENT 
 
I HAVE THE HONOR TO WRITE TO YOU AS A FOLLOW-UP TO THE 
FIRST ROUND OF THE ZIMBABWE-EU CONSULTATIONS HELD IN 
BRUSSELS ON 11 JANUARY 2002. 
 
NOTE: NOT PASSED TO ABOVE ADDRESSEE(S) 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
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ACTION AF-00 
 
INFO  LOG-00   NP-00    AMAD-00  ACQ-00   CIAE-00  USNW-00  DODE-00 
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O 221401Z JAN 02 
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0761 
INFO SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY PRIORITY 
NSC WASHDC PRIORITY 
 
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 02 OF 04 HARARE 000204 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR AF, A/S KANSTEINER AND DAS BELLAMY; ALSO FOR 
AF/S 
NSC FOR SENIOR DIRECTOR FRAZER 
PARIS FOR NEARY 
LONDON FOR GURNEY 
STATE PLEASE PASS TO EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/12 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PHUM, ZI, EU 
SUBJECT: LAST-MINUTE GOZ RESPONSE TO EU ULTIMATUM 
FALLS SHORT OF THE MARK, EU DIPLOMATS STATE 
 
I WISH TO RECALL THAT WHILE ZIMBABWE ADDRESSED A NUMBER 
OF EU CONCERNS DURING THE CONSULTATIONS, WE ALSO RAISED 
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PAGE 02        HARARE  00204  02 OF 04  221424Z 
THREE MAJOR CONCERNS ON WHICH WE EARNESTLY EXPECT A 
RESPONSE FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION. 
 
I SUBMIT, IN THIS LETTER, A CONCISE SURVEY OF THE 
PRINCIPAL POINTS COVERED DURING THE CONSULTATIONS, IN 
PARTICULAR ZIMBABWE'S ACTIONS AND COMMITMENTS ON THOSE 
ISSUES.  I ALSO OUTLINE THE CONCERNS RAISED BY THE 
GOVERNMENT OF ZIMBABWE WITH REGARD TO THE CONDUCT OF THE 
EUROPEAN UNION AND CERTAIN OF ITS MEMBER STATES, AND HOW 
SUCH CONDUCT HAS NOT HELPED PROMOTE THE PARTNERSHIP 
ENVISAGED IN THE ACP-EU PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT. 
 
POLITICAL VIOLENCE 
 
THE GOVERNMENT OF ZIMBABWE IS AGAINST VIOLENCE, AND WILL 
CONTINUE TO DO ITS UTMOST TO BRING THIS PHENOMENON TO A 
STOP.  AS I WRITE TO YOU, HIS EXCELLENCY PRESIDENT 
ROBERT MUGABE AND HIS GOVERNMENT, AND LAW AND ORDER 
ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES ARE CONSTANTLY AND PUBLICLY 
APPEALING AGAINST VIOLENCE, AND FOR A PEACEFUL CAMPAIGN 
IN THE RUN-UP TO THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.  I ATTACH, 
FOR YOUR REFERENCE, A COPY OF A STATEMENT MADE RECENTLY 
BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE AS PART OF THE CAMPAIGN 
AGAINST VIOLENCE. 
 
THE POLICE COMMISSIONER'S "BRIEFING ON POLICING AND THE 
RULE OF LAW IN ZIMBABWE", WHICH I SUBMITTED AS A 
CONFERENCE DOCUMENT DURING THE CONSULTATIONS, 
DEMONSTRATES MOST AMPLY ZIMBABWE'S COMMITMENT TO 
INVESTIGATE FULLY AND IMPARTIALLY ALL CASES OF ALLEGED 
POLITICAL VIOLENCE. 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 03        HARARE  00204  02 OF 04  221424Z 
 
WITH REGARD TO POLITICALLY MOTIVATED VIOLENCE, WE TAKE 
EXCEPTION TO CRITICISM LEVELED ONLY AGAINST THE RULING 
PARTY, AS IF TO SUGGEST THAT VIOLENCE BY THE OPPOSITION 
IS CONDONED.  SUCH A PARTISAN STANCE FUELS VIOLENCE IN 
OUR SOCIETY AND IS THEREFORE MOST UNHELPFUL.  WE, 
THEREFORE, URGE THE EU TO TAKE A BALANCED APPROACH AND 
CONDEMN VIOLENCE FROM WHATEVER QUARTER IT COMES. 
 
AS WE MADE CLEAR DURING THE CONSULTATIONS, THE 
GOVERNMENT OF ZIMBABWE IS PURSUING THE SADC PROPOSAL TO 
PROMOTE INCLUSIVE POLITICAL DIALOGUE.  AT THEIR RECENT 
SUMMIT IN BLANTYRE, MALAWI, SADC LEADERS "NOTED WITH 
APPRECIATION THE COMMITMENT OF THE GOVERNMENT OF 
ZIMBABWE TO LAUNCH A PEACE CAMPAIGN THAT WOULD INCLUDE 
THE OPPOSITION AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS". 
 
THE GOVERNMENT OF ZIMBABWE IS READY TO CONSIDER THE 
PROPOSAL TO SEEK AGREEMENT ON AND PROMOTE A CODE OF 
CONDUCT FOR ALL THE POLITICAL PARTIES.  GOVERNMENT HAS 
ALREADY APPROACHED THE ELECTORAL SUPERVISORY COMMISSION 
TO LAY THE GROUNDWORK IN CONSULTATION WITH ALL POLITICAL 
PARTIES. 
 
ELECTIONS 
 
HIS EXCELLENCY PRESIDENT ROBERT MUGABE HAS GIVEN 
ASSURANCES THAT THE FORTHCOMING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 
SCHEDULED FOR 9 AND 10 MARCH 2002 WILL BE FREE AND FAIR. 
AT THEIR BLANTYRE SUMMIT ON 14 JANUARY 2002, SADC 
LEADERS "WELCOMED THE ASSURANCES BY PRESIDENT MUGABE 
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PAGE 04        HARARE  00204  02 OF 04  221424Z 
THAT THE FORTHCOMING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS SCHEDULED 
FOR 9 AND 10 MARCH 2002 WILL BE FREE AND FAIR.  SUMMIT 
NOTED THE STEPS THAT HAVE BEEN TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT 
OF ZIMBABWE TO ENSURE THE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE 
MANAGEMENT OF THE ELECTIONS". 
 
IN LINE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE CONSTITUTION OF 
ZIMBABWE, THE ELECTORAL SUPERVISORY COMMISSION HAS THE 
PREROGATIVE AND MANDATE TO MONITOR ELECTIONS IN 
ZIMBABWE.  THROUGH THE RECENT AMENDMENTS TO THE 
ELECTORAL LAW, THE GOVERNMENT HAS STRENGTHENED THE 
ELECTORAL SUPERVISORY COMMISSION, AND PROVIDED 
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO ENABLE IT TO CARRY OUT ITS 
CONSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY. 
 
I CAN CONFIRM THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS INVITING NATIONAL, 
REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ELECTION OBSERVERS FROM 
GOVERNMENTS, INCLUDING THOSE OF ACP/EU MEMBERS STATES, 
AS WELL AS FROM REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS 
SUCH AS SADC, OAU(AU), COMMONWEALTH AND THE UNITED 
NATIONS. 
 
NOTE: NOT PASSED TO ABOVE ADDRESSEE(S) 
 
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ACTION AF-00 
 
INFO  LOG-00   NP-00    AMAD-00  ACQ-00   CIAE-00  DODE-00  DS-00 
      VC-00    TEDE-00  INR-00   VCE-00   M-00     NSAE-00  SSO-00 
      SS-00    DSCC-00  DRL-02   NFAT-00  SAS-00     /002W 
                  ------------------5B33C4  221424Z /38 
O 221401Z JAN 02 
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0762 
INFO SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY PRIORITY 
NSC WASHDC PRIORITY 
 
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 03 OF 04 HARARE 000204 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR AF, A/S KANSTEINER AND DAS BELLAMY; ALSO FOR 
AF/S 
NSC FOR SENIOR DIRECTOR FRAZER 
PARIS FOR NEARY 
LONDON FOR GURNEY 
STATE PLEASE PASS TO EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/12 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PHUM, ZI, EU 
SUBJECT: LAST-MINUTE GOZ RESPONSE TO EU ULTIMATUM 
FALLS SHORT OF THE MARK, EU DIPLOMATS STATE 
 
FREEDOM OF THE MEDIA 
 
THE GOVERNMENT OF ZIMBABWE IS COMMITTED TO UPHOLDING 
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PAGE 02        HARARE  00204  03 OF 04  221424Z 
FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION, AS GUARANTEED IN THE CONSTITUTION 
OF ZIMBABWE.  IT SHOULD BE ACKNOWLEDGED BY ALL FAIR- 
MINDED OBSERVERS THAT THE EXISTENCE OF A VIGOROUS AND 
COMBATIVE PRIVATELY OWNED MEDIA IN ZIMBABWE, WHICH IS 
PARTLY FOREIGN OWNED AND FINANCED, ILLUSTRATES THE 
FREEDOM ENJOYED BY NEWSPAPERS IN THE COUNTRY. 
 
DURING ELECTION CAMPAIGNS, ZIMBABWE'S PUBLIC MEDIA 
ACCORDS EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, THAT IS, EQUAL AIRTIME TO ALL 
CONTESTING POLITICAL PARTIES.  WHAT IS OF CONCERN TO 
ZIMBABWE IS THAT SINCE DECEMBER LAST YEAR, TWO PRO-MDC 
SHORT-WAVE RADIO STATIONS HAVE BEEN BEAMING INCITING, 
ANTI-ZIMBABWE PROPAGANDA AND PRO-MDC MESSAGES FROM THE 
UNITED KINGDOM AND THE NETHERLANDS.  THIS CONSTITUTES 
GROSS INTERFERENCE IN OUR INTERNAL AFFAIRS.  WE APPEAL 
TO THE EU TO PREVAIL UPON THESE TWO OF THEIR MEMBERS TO 
DESIST FROM THIS PROVOCATIVE AND HOSTILE ACTIVITY 
FORTHWITH, OTHERWISE ASKING ZIMBABWE TO ENSURE EQUAL 
TIME IN THE PUBLIC MEDIA TO ALL POLITICAL PARTIES WOULD 
BE INTERPRETED AS CYNICAL AND HYPOCRITICAL. 
 
IN THEIR COMMUNIQUE' OF 14 JANUARY 2002, SADC LEADERS 
"EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THE FACT THAT SOME WESTERN 
COUNTRIES HAVE AUTHORIZED THE BROADCASTING FROM THEIR 
TERRITORIES BY THEIR NATIONALS OF HOSTILE AND INCITING 
PROPAGANDA AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF 
ZIMBABWE".  THE SUMMIT CALLED ON THOSE COUNTRIES TO 
DESIST FROM SUCH ACTIONS. 
 
ZIMBABWE FURTHER REAFFIRMS ITS PRACTICE OF ALLOWING 
JOURNALISTS, BOTH NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL, TO COVER 
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PAGE 03        HARARE  00204  03 OF 04  221424Z 
IMPORTANT NATIONAL EVENTS, INCLUDING ELECTIONS, ON THE 
BASIS OF ITS LAWS AND REGULATIONS. 
 
INDEPENDENCE OF THE JUDICIARY 
 
GOVERNMENT UPHOLDS THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE JUDICIARY. 
SECTION 84 OF THE CONSTITUTION VESTS IN THE PRESIDENT 
THE POWER TO APPOINT JUDGES IN CONSULTATION WITH THE 
JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION.  PARLIAMENT MUST BE 
INFORMED OF JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS WHICH ARE NOT 
CONSISTENT WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE JUDICIAL 
SERVICE COMMISSION.  SUCH A SITUATION HAS NOT ARISEN IN 
ZIMBABWE IN 21 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE.  THEREFORE, 
ALLEGATIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE INTERFERING WITH THE 
JUDICIARY ARE NOT ONLY ILL FOUNDED BUT ALSO MALICIOUS AS 
THEY LACK SUBSTANCE. 
 
CONTRARY TO FALSEHOODS BEING WIDELY PROPAGATED BY THE 
ANTI-ZIMBABWE MEDIA, THERE IS NO DECISION OF THE 
JUDICIARY THAT REMAINS UNIMPLEMENTED BY MY GOVERNMENT. 
 
ILLEGAL OCCUPATION OF PROPERTIES 
 
THERE IS NO MORE ILLEGAL OCCUPATION OF FARMS OR ANY 
PROPERTIES, AS THERE HAVE BEEN NO FRESH FARM OCCUPATIONS 
SINCE THE ABUJA CONSULTATIONS WERE REACHED ON 6 
SEPTEMBER 2001.  MOMENTUM HAS BEEN MAINTAINED IN THE 
MOVEMENT OF OCCUPIERS OF UNDESIGNATED FARMS ONTO LEGALLY 
ACQUIRED LAND. 
 
ZIMBABWE'S CONCERNS 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 04        HARARE  00204  03 OF 04  221424Z 
 
IT WILL BE RECALLED THAT THE DELEGATION OF ZIMBABWE 
RAISED THREE CONCERNS WITH THE EU, NAMELY: POLITICAL 
INTERFERENCE IN THE INTERNAL AFFAIRS OF ZIMBABWE; THE 
NATURE OF PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN ZIMBABWE AND THE EU; AND 
INFORMAL SANCTIONS IMPOSED BY CERTAIN EU MEMBER STATES. 
 
CERTAIN EU MEMBER STATES, IN PARTICULAR BRITAIN, HAVE 
FUNDED OPPOSITION PARTIES, PARTICULARLY THE MDC, 
INCLUDING FOR CAMPAIGNING IN THE RUN-UP TO THE 
FORTHCOMING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.  SUCH ACTION CLEARLY 
CONSTITUTES BLATANT INTERFERENCE IN THE INTERNAL AFFAIRS 
OF ZIMBABWE, AND REMOVES THE MORAL GROUNDS FOR THE 
VIOLATING STATES TO CLAIM A ROLE AS NEUTRAL OBSERVERS IN 
ZIMBABWE'S ELECTIONS.  IN ADDITION, SINCE DECEMBER LAST 
YEAR, TWO PRO-MDC SHORT-WAVE RADIO STATIONS HAVE BEEN 
BEAMING ANTI-ZIMBABWE PROPAGANDA AND PRO-MDC MESSAGES 
FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE NETHERLANDS.  THIS HAS 
GIVEN AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE TO THE MDC AND CONSTITUTES 
GROSS INTERFERENCE IN OUR INTERNAL AFFAIRS.  WE APPEAL 
TO THE EU TO PREVAIL ON THESE TWO MEMBERS TO DESIST FROM 
 
NOTE: NOT PASSED TO ABOVE ADDRESSEE(S) 
 
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      DS-00    VC-00    TEDE-00  INR-00   IO-00    VCE-00   M-00 
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                  ------------------5B33C8  221424Z /38 
O 221401Z JAN 02 
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0763 
INFO SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY PRIORITY 
NSC WASHDC PRIORITY 
 
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 04 OF 04 HARARE 000204 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR AF, A/S KANSTEINER AND DAS BELLAMY; ALSO FOR 
AF/S 
NSC FOR SENIOR DIRECTOR FRAZER 
PARIS FOR NEARY 
LONDON FOR GURNEY 
STATE PLEASE PASS TO EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/12 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PHUM, ZI, EU 
SUBJECT: LAST-MINUTE GOZ RESPONSE TO EU ULTIMATUM 
FALLS SHORT OF THE MARK, EU DIPLOMATS STATE 
 
THIS PROVOCATIVE ACTIVITY FORTHWITH, OTHERWISE ASKING 
ZIMBABWE TO ENSURE EQUAL TIME IN THE PUBLIC MEDIA TO ALL 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 02        HARARE  00204  04 OF 04  221424Z 
POLITICAL PARTIES WOULD BE INTERPRETED AS CYNICAL AND 
HYPOCRITICAL. 
 
THE ARBITRARY AND UNILATERAL MANNER IN WHICH THE EU 
MOVED THE DIALOGUE WITH ZIMBABWE FROM ARTICLE 8 TO 
ARTICLE 96 PROVISIONS, AS WELL AS THE MAKING OF DEMANDS 
RATHER THAN SEEKING MUTUAL CONSULTATIONS ARE, IN OUR 
VIEW, A VIOLATION OF THE SPIRIT OF THE PARTNERSHIP 
ENVISAGED IN THE COTONOU AGREEMENT.  WE BELIEVE THAT 
"DEMANDING" OR "INSISTING" ON THE SENDING OF EU 
OBSERVERS TO OBSERVE OUR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IS NOT 
CONSISTENT WITH THE SPIRIT OF THE COTONOU AGREEMENT.  TO 
IMPOSE TIME FRAMES IN WHICH THIS MUST BE DONE IS 
IMPERIOUS AND CONTRARY TO THE SPIRIT OF PARTNERSHIP.  IF 
OUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE COTONOU AGREEMENT ON THESE 
PARTICULAR POINTS IS DEEMED TO BE INCORRECT, THEN WE 
WOULD BE READY FOR A DETERMINATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH 
THE RELEVANT PROVISIONS OF THE AGREEMENT. 
 
INFORMAL SANCTIONS IMPOSED ON ZIMBABWE BY CERTAIN EU 
MEMBER STATES DO NOT PROMOTE THE CO-OPERATION AND 
PARTNERSHIP ENVISAGED UNDER THE COTONOU AGREEMENT, WHOSE 
THRUST INCLUDES TRADE, AND DEVELOPMENT CO-OPERATION.  IN 
THE SPIRIT OF PARTNERSHIP, I REQUEST YOU TO ASK THOSE 
COUNTRIES THAT HAVE IMPOSED THESE INFORMAL SANCTIONS TO 
DROP THEM.  SUCH A REVERSAL WOULD FURTHER PROMOTE AN 
ATMOSPHERE CONDUCIVE FOR A PEACEFUL, FREE AND FAIR 
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. 
 
MR. PRESIDENT, IT IS PERTINENT THAT I POINT OUT THAT OUR 
DIALOGUE IS NOT LIMITED TO WRITTEN COMMUNICATION AND 
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DOCUMENTATION.  IT IS MY EXPECTATION THAT WE WILL KEEP 
ALL LINES AND FORMS OF COMMUNICATION OPEN BETWEEN US IN 
THE SPIRIT AND LETTER OF THE RELATIONS WE SHARE UNDER 
THE ACP-EU PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT.  I ENCLOSE A 
COMMUNIQUE' OF A RECENT SADC SUMMIT AT WHICH SOME OF THE 
ISSUES COVERED IN THIS LETTER WERE ALSO ADDRESSED. 
 
ACCEPT, MR. PRESIDENT, THE ASSURANCES OF MY HIGHEST 
ESTEEM. 
 
ISG MUDENGE 
MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS 
REPUBLIC OF ZIMBABWE 
 
END TEXT. 
 
SULLIVAN 
 
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