US embassy cable - 02HARARE2529

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 HARARE 002529 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR J. FRAZER 
LONDON FOR C. GURNEY 
PARIS FOR C. NEARY 
NAIROBI FOR T. PFLAUMER 
DEPT FOR DS/OP/AF 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/01/2012 
TAGS: PGOV, PHUM, PREL, EAID, ASEC, ZI 
SUBJECT: POLOFF AND UN OFFICER DETAINED, THREATENED BY WAR 
VETERANS 
 
 
Classified By: Political Officer Audu Besmer for reasons 1.5 b/d 
 
Summary: 
-------- 
1. (C) Self-described Zimbabwean war veterans detained Poloff 
on November 15, together with a UN Senior Humanitarian 
Affairs Officer, a US Embassy driver, and a Zimbabwean 
citizen guide, for 45 minutes at a farm in Melfort (about 25 
kms southeast of Harare).  The war veterans beat the 
Zimbabwean citizen guide extensively and the Embassy driver 
slightly, and roughed up the UN Official, but Poloff was 
spared.  The war vets also seized the UN Official's identity 
card issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the 
Zimbabweans' identity cards, and Poloff's camera and 
notebook.  Even though RSO was in communication with Police 
throughout the incident, Police have not yet detained anyone. 
 The Embassy has sent a strongly worded diplomatic note 
protesting the incident and stating that we expect the GOZ to 
identify, detain, and take legal action against the war 
veterans involved (text faxed to AF/S).  End Summary. 
 
2. (C) Self-described Zimbabwean war veterans detained Poloff 
on November 15, together with Andrew Timpson, a UN Senior 
Humanitarian Affairs Officer, a US Embassy driver, and a 
Zimbabwean citizen guide, for 45 minutes at the Thanner farm 
in Melfort (about 25 kms southeast of Harare).  Poloff and 
Timpson were interviewing ex-commercial farm workers on the 
farm for about 45 minutes concerning their food situation 
when war veterans arrived and began violently interrogating 
the party.  Poloff identified himself, gave them a business 
card, apologized for any offense and offered to depart with 
the whole party to avoid any problems.  The war veterans 
refused the offer stating that they were going to detain and 
beat the party. 
 
Zimbabwean Guide Beaten Extensively 
----------------------------------- 
3. (C) The war veterans then beat the Zimbabwean citizen 
guide extensively on the head, sides, and back with open 
hands and long heavy sticks; he suffered a punctured eardrum 
and loss of hearing in that ear as a result.  The war 
veterans also beat the US Embassy driver on the back, roughed 
up the UN Official slightly, but Poloff was spared.  After 
searching the Embassy vehicle and the party's bags, the war 
veterans instructed the party to get in the Embassy vehicle 
and follow the war veterans' pick-up truck to an undisclosed 
location off the farm.  After following the pick-up to the 
main road, the Embassy party broke off and returned to the 
Embassy.  The war veterans confiscated the party's still 
camera, cell phones, identity cards, and various papers.  The 
cell phones were returned however. 
 
Police Notified 
--------------- 
4. (C) Just before the situation deteriorated, Poloff 
notified Polchief by cell phone of the problem but was cut 
off by the war veterans who seized Poloff's phone.  Polchief 
notified the Ambassador and RSO who notified the Police and 
requested that Police send units immediately to the Thanner 
farm, seal off roads, and arrest the individuals responsible. 
 RSO also notified the UN Security Officer, Valdim Aunshko 
who said he would go to Harare Police Headquarters and demand 
action.  Police Headquarters in Harare then notified RSO that 
units had been dispatched to the area.  Following the return 
of Poloff and the party to the Embassy, Police then requested 
that Poloff and the Embassy driver return to the local Police 
station in the area to identify suspects in a lineup.  RSO 
later learned from Police that there were no suspects in 
custody, but that Police wished the complaint to be filed in 
the area of the crime.  We have declined to send our officers 
back to the area, and instead offered to file a complaint in 
Harare. 
 
5. (U) After first notifying the Foreign Ministry of the 
matter and requesting its intervention, the Embassy sent a 
diplomatic note to the Minister of Foreign Affairs on 
November 15, vigorously protesting the incident, requesting 
action to apprehend and charge those individuals responsible, 
return items seized, and issue a public statement that no 
Zimbabwean individual or organization has the right to 
interfere with the legitimate humanitarian work of the United 
Nations, any diplomatic mission including that of the United 
States.  The Ambassador has coordinated all our actions with 
the UN ResRep.  The UN has protested orally to the Foreign 
Ministry Director for International Organizations, and will 
send a diplomatic note parallel to the US note. 
 
Comment: 
-------- 
6. (C) Although Embassy sent a diplomatic note in protest to 
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and interactions with Police 
Headquarters in Harare were constant, the fact that the 
Police were unable to respond to the scene during the 45 
minute incident, even though they were informed of the 
unfolding event five minutes after it started, reflects badly 
on the ability / willingness of GOZ authorities to ensure the 
safety of diplomatic personnel during the course of 
humanitarian work.  The GOZ's willingness to bring those 
guilty of these offenses to justice will serve as a measure 
of their commitment to working with us and other donors in 
addressing the unfolding humanitarian crisis of the GOZ's own 
making.  However the incident is dealt with after the fact, 
the actions of war veterans / settlers reflects the 
continuing state of lawlessness at a time when the GOZ is 
proclaiming that the agricultural redistribution exercise has 
been completed.  End Comment. 
SULLIVAN