US embassy cable - 02HARARE1831

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 HARARE 001831 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR AF AND AF/S 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/14/2012 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, ZI 
SUBJECT: ZIMBABWEAN DIPLOMATIC NOTE POSES MORE QUESTIONS 
THAN ANSWERS 
 
 
Classified By: CHARGE ROBERT E. WHITEHEAD FOR REASONS 1.5 B/D. 
 
1.  (U) Embassy received a diplomatic note and statement at 
COB on August 9, before the long Hero's Day weekend.  Below 
is the entire text. 
 
Begin text of Diplomatic Note: 
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Zimbabwe 
presents its complements to the Embassy of the United States 
of America and has the honor to forward a statement in 
response to recent remarks by the US Assistant Secretary of 
State, Mr. Walter Kansteiner. 
 
The Ministry would like to assure the Embassy that the 
Government of Zimbabwe does share the same concerns as the 
United States on such issues as democracy and good governance 
and is willing to engage the Government of the United States 
on such matters.  The Ministry believes however that such 
dialogue will be facilitated by mutual understanding by both 
sides of the dynamics which shape political policies.  It is 
in this vein that the attached statement has been made, for 
onward transmission to the relevant authorities. 
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Zimbabwe 
avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of 
the United States of America, the assurances of its highest 
consideration. 
 
Harare 
 
August 2002 
 
End text of Diplomatic Note. 
 
Begin text of Statement: 
 
The Zimbabwe Government maintains that there is a concordance 
of views and value systems between the US Administration and 
itself.  It has conducted its relations with the US on this 
basis.  We have always believed that both our countries are 
looking forward to a world where mankind can be freed from 
the misery caused by race, xenophobia, terrorism, hunger, 
disease, and war. 
 
The Government of Zimbabwe is aware that one of the 
historical realities of our time, is that the United States 
is the leading democracy in the world today.  We have 
maintained the hope that the US Administration is prepared to 
lead the world in this regard and that, sooner rather than 
later, the US Administration will assume this role, not only 
for the benefit of larger developed nations, but for the 
developing nations as well. 
 
The Zimbabwe Government has recently become aware that the US 
Administration has attitudes which make it difficult for it 
to relate positively and constructively with Zimbabwe.  These 
attitudes may have a basis somewhere, but we cannot believe 
that they arise from genuine concerns about Zimbabwe's 
conduct of its domestic affairs, nor from direct differences 
between the US and Zimbabwe in the manner both regard their 
respective obligations as sovereign governments.  The 
Zimbabwe leadership fought for and introduced national 
freedom and participatory democracy to the country and the 
government has maintained the second longest unbroken record 
as a multiparty democracy in Africa.  It continues to uphold 
the principles of democracy, rule of law and human rights. 
 
The recent remarks by the US Assistant Secretary of State, 
Mr. Walter Kansteiner, 31 July 2002, claiming that democracy 
and human rights were no longer applicable to Zimbabwe, 
appear to reflect what the US Administration would wish to 
say about Zimbabwe, but they do not match the reality of 
governance in Zimbabwe.  It is of grave concern that such 
remarks should be uttered.  They distort the essence of 
Zimbabwe's genuine effort to promote democracy, the rule of 
law, equity, and prosperity among its people whom colonial 
racism had impoverished for over a century. 
 
Mr. Roger Winter, the USAID Assistant Administrator visited 
Zimbabwe recently.  He visited Mashonalaland Central, (Tsenga 
Village, Mount Darwin) to see for himself the extent of 
people's participation and involvement in the distribution of 
food relief.  Mr. Winter would admit that this visit brought 
him face to face with our governance at work and especially 
the high level of consultation and stakeholder involvement in 
their own local affairs.  It is assumed that Mr. Winter has 
not yet had the opportunity to share his experiences with Mr. 
Kansteiner and we hope that he will have the opportunity to 
do so soon. 
 
Zimbabwe wishes that the concordance of values it has always 
shared with the United States should remain the firm basis 
upon which to build our relations in trade, investment, 
tourism and technical cooperation.  The Zimbabwe Government 
assures the Government of the United States of its highest 
consideration and continued friendship. 
 
End text of Statement. 
 
2.  (C) Comment: Frankly, we were a bit perplexed about the 
timing and substance of this diplomatic note, the cordiality 
of which was not echoed in Mugabe's August 12 and 13 speeches 
(septel).  Although we have been frozen out by the MFA since 
the March election, the Americas desk officer delivered this 
note in person, telling us he had been instructed to do so by 
the permanent secretary, who is no America-phile.  Although 
some of the note's claims are laughable -- the GOZ "continues 
to uphold the principles of democracy, rule of law, and human 
rights" -- the letter appears to be an overture, a feeler to 
see if we are interested in engaging with the GOZ on issues 
of mutual concern.  Given recent threats by President Mugabe 
and other senior GOZ officials to impose retaliatory 
sanctions on EU and U.S. officials, the note could be a 
last-ditch effort to ward off such action, which the 
professionals at MFA know would only further isolate 
Zimbabwe.  We believe a brief letter of acknowledgment is 
appropriate, stating that the USG has always believed in the 
importance of bilateral dialogue, that we are happy to share 
with them once again our views on the way forward.  We want 
to avoid giving the GOZ the impression, however, that mere 
dialogue, in the absence of significant policy changes, will 
lead to an improved bilateral relationship with us or other 
key international players.  End comment. 
WHITEHEAD