This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

241252Z Apr 00


                           CONFIDENTIAL     PTQ6075

PAGE 01        HARARE  02205  01 OF 04  241249Z 
ACTION AF-00    

INFO  LOG-00   NP-00    AGRE-00  ACQ-00   CIAE-00  SMEC-00  COME-00  
      DINT-00  DODE-00  DOEE-00  DOTE-00  WHA-00   SRPP-00  DS-00    
      EB-00    EUR-01   FAAE-00  FBIE-00  VC-01    H-01     TEDE-00  
      INR-00   L-00     AC-01    DCP-01   NSAE-00  OMB-01   OPIC-01  
      PA-00    PM-00    PRS-00   ACE-00   P-00     SP-00    TRSE-00  
      USIE-00  PMB-00   DSCC-00  DRL-02   G-00     NFAT-00  SAS-00   
        /009W
                  ------------------4F30E1  241252Z /38    
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5827
SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY PRIORITY
NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY LONDON 
AMEMBASSY PARIS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 HARARE 002205 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR AF A/S SUSAN RICE, OAS POWELL, AF/S 
NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR GAYLE SMITH 
LONDON FOR PFLAUMER 
PARIS FOR BISA WILLIAMS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/23/10 
TAGS: PGOV PREL EAGR PINR ZI
SUBJECT: THE GUERILLA WAR FOR LAND IN ZIMABABWE 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
 
PAGE 02        HARARE  02205  01 OF 04  241249Z 
CONTINUES 
 
CLASSIFIEO BY AMBASSAOOR TOM MCDONALD, REASONS 
1.5 (B), (0) 
 
REF: HARARE 2202 
 
¶1.  (C) SUMMARY: IN A THREE HOUR MEETING NEARLY 
HALF OF WHICH WAS SPENT ON LANO, PRESIDENT MUGABE 
TOLD US THAT LANO ACQUISITION WAS AN OVERDUE 
MATTER OF ACHIEVING JUSTICE AND ESCAPING FROM 
UNOER THE YOKE OF COLONIALISM THAT THE PEOPLE OF 
ZIMBABWE NOW OEMANO.  THE WAR VET'S OCCUPATIONS, 
WHICH HE SUPPORTS BUT OID NOT INITIATE, ARE A 
DEMONSTRATION OF "PRACTICAL SELF-HELP."  WE 
BELIEVE THAT IN CONDONING THE VET'S ACTIONS HE 
HAS UNLEASHEO A FORCE THAT IS POWERFUL, 
DANGEROUS, EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND A 
THREAT TO THE PRESIDENT'S IRON GRIP.  ZIMBABWE'S 
GUERILLAS ARE OPERATING AGAIN IN ZIMBABWE. 
HAVING UNCHAINED SUCH A FORCE, HE NOW NEEDS TO 
BUY IT OFF, MOST LIKELY WITH LAND HAVING ALREADY 
EXERCISED THE CASH OPTION, IF HE IS TO MAINTAIN 
CONTROL OVER THE REINS OF POWER. 
 
¶2.  (C) THE PRESIDENT IS ADAMANT THAT BRITAIN 
MUST PAY FOR LAND ACQUISITION AS, ACCORDING TO 
HIM, THEY COMMITTED TO IT AT LANCASTER HOUSE IN 
¶1980.  IF THEY DO NOT PROVIDE FUNDS, COMPULSORY 
ACQUISITION WITHOUT COMPENSATION WILL GO AHEAD. 
THE COMMERCIAL FARMERS, WHO RETAIN THE MENTALITY 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 03        HARARE  02205  01 OF 04  241249Z 
OF BRITISH COLONIZERS ACCOROING TO PRESIDENT 
MUGABE, HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THEY NEED TO OFFER UP 
AS A GOOD FAITH GESTURE ALL 841 FARMS PREVIOUSLY 
DESIGNATED BY THE GOZ FOR ACQUISITION.  NEITHER 
THE POLICE NOR MILTTARY WILL BE USED TO EVICT THE 
FARM INVADERS, ACCOROING TO MUGABE, AS THEY ARE 
MERELY "FIGHTING FOR JUSTICE."  END SUMMARY. 
 
WE HAVE WAITED TOO LONG 
 
¶3.  (C) DURING THE EVENING OF APRIL 22 PRESIDENT 
ROBERT MUGABE, UNACCOMPANIED BUT FOR A NOTETAKER, 
SPENT THREE HOURS PLUS DISCUSSING THE PRIOR DAYS 
MINI-SUMMIT OF REGIONAL LEADERS AT VICTORIA 
FALLS, THE CONGO PEACE PROCESS AND ZIMBABWE'S 
LAND ISSUE WITH U.S. OFFICIALS.  THE U.S. GROUP 
CONSISTED OF S/E HOWARD WOLPE, AMBASSADOR 
MCDONALD, LT. COL. GADDIS, SPECIAL ADVISOR 
PRENDERGAST AND ECONOFF NOTETAKER.  AFTER THE 
INITIAL 20 MINUTES SPENT DESCRIBING THE VICTORIA 
FALLS GATHERING AND PROGRESS MADE THERE ON THE 
CONGO ISSUE MUGABE, WITHOUT A PROMPT FROM US, 
LAUNCHED INTO A 45-MINUTE HISTORICAL TOUR OF 
ZIMBABWE'S LAND ISSUE COVERING THE PRE-RHODES' 
DAYS TO THE PRESENT.  DETAILED AND FULL OF 
MINUTIA (THE PRESIDENT WAS A SCHOOLTEACHER FOR 
YEARS BEFORE AND DURING THE LIBERATION STRUGGLE), 
THE MESSAGE WAS THAT HISTORY SAW THE LAND STOLEN 
FROM THE BLACKS WITH CONTROL CONSOLIDATED BY THE 
BRITISH WITH VICIOUS DISREGARD FOR THE RIGHTS OF 
BLACKS, A STATE THAT CONTINUES TODAY WITH ACTIVE 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 04        HARARE  02205  01 OF 04  241249Z 
BRITISH SPONSORSHIP. 
 
BRITAIN TO BLAME 
 
¶4.  (C) DURING THE LANCASTER HOUSE NEGOTIATIONS A 
WEEK WAS SPENT STUCK ON THE LAND COMPENSATION 
ISSUE.  PRESIDENT CARTER HELPED BREAK THE 
DEADLOCK, AND THE RESULT WAS A 10-YEAR PERIOD 
WHEN THE PROSCRIBED RULE OF WILLING SELLER- 
WILLING BUYER WAS IN EFFECT, WITH BRITAIN 
SUPPOSED TO BE PAYING FOR THE LAND.  THE PROBLEM 
IS THE ENGLISH NEVER HONORED THEIR OBLIGATIONS, 
MUGABE TOLD US: THE THATCHER GOVERNMENT WAS 
LUKEWARM; JOHN MAJOR'S ADMINISTRATION WAS COLD; 
AND BLAIR'S LABOR LEADERSHIP OUTRIGHT ICY.  THE 
ZIMBABWEAN PRESIDENT LAMENTED TO US THAT THE 
BRITISH PRIME MINISTER BLAIR HAD NEVER SPENT 
QUALITY ONE-ON-ONE TIME WITH HIM (HAVING STIFFED 
MUGABE ON AN OFFICIAL VISIT AFTER INVITING HIM), 
AND COULD ONLY SPARE THE SENIOR AFRICAN STATESMAN 
10-15 MINUTES ONCE ON A PRODUCTION LINE BASIS 
DURING A EUROPE/AFRICA SUMMIT.  "I HAVE SPENT 
MORE TIME WITH CLINTON" HE SNIFFED, "AND HAVE 
 
EVEN MET WITH CHIRAC FOUR TIMES -- THOUGH HIS 
TIME IN OFFICE IS LESS THAN BLAIR'S."  THE LONG 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
                           CONFIDENTIAL     PTQ6076 
 
PAGE 01        HARARE  02205  02 OF 04  241249Z 
ACTION AF-00 
 
INFO  LOG-00   NP-00    AGRE-00  ACQ-00   CIAE-00  SMEC-00  COME-00 
      DINT-00  DODE-00  DOEE-00  DOTE-00  WHA-00   SRPP-00  DS-00 
      EB-00    EUR-01   FAAE-00  FBIE-00  VC-01    H-01     TEDE-00 
      INR-00   L-00     AC-01    DCP-01   NSAE-00  OMB-01   OPIC-01 
      PA-00    PM-00    PRS-00   ACE-00   P-00     SP-00    TRSE-00 
      USIE-00  PMB-00   DSCC-00  DRL-02   G-00     NFAT-00  SAS-00 
        /009W 
                  ------------------4F30F3  241252Z /38 
P 241252Z APR 00 
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5828 
SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY PRIORITY 
NSC WASHDC PRIORITY 
AMEMBASSY LONDON 
AMEMBASSY PARIS 
 
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 02 OF 04 HARARE 002205 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR AF A/S SUSAN RICE, OAS POWELL, AF/S 
NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR GAYLE SMITH 
LONDON FOR PFLAUMER 
PARIS FOR BISA WILLIAMS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/23/10 
TAGS: PGOV PREL EAGR PINR ZI
SUBJECT: THE GUERILLA WAR FOR LAND IN ZIMABABWE 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 02        HARARE  02205  02 OF 04  241249Z 
CONTINUES 
 
AND SHORT OF IT, PRESIDENT MUGABE ADVISED US, IS 
HIS CONCLUSION THAT BRITAIN HAS NEVER SUPPORTED 
ZIMBABWE'S EFFORTS AT INDEPENDENCE AND LAND 
REFORM, STILL VIEWS HIS COUNTRY A COLONY, AND 
WILL ONLY HONOR ITS OBLIGATIONS TO PAY FOR LAND 
IN ZIMBABWE IF FORCED.  "THIS IS WHAT WE ARE NOW 
CARRYING OUT," HE TOLD US, "WITH THE 
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT I SIGNED LAST WEEK." 
 
¶5.  (C) ZIMBABWE HAS NO MONEY TO PAY FOR LAND, 
MUGABE TOLD US.  BRITAIN DOES HAVE THE MONEY, AND 
IS REQUIRED TO PAY BY BOTH ITS PROMISE TO, AND 
THE FACT THAT ITS CITIZENS STOLE THE LAND FROM 
AFRICANS.  THE LAND ACQUISITION CLAUSE WAS PLACED 
IN THE DRAFT CONSTITUTION TO ENABLE THE 
COMMERCIAL FARMERS "TO GET PAID SOMETHING FOR 
THEIR LAND", HE EXPLAINED.  (COMMENT:  THIS IS 
THE LINE MUGABE TOOK LAST WEEK IN HIS MEETING THE 
CFU, WHERE HE LECTURED THEM THAT THE 
CONSTITUTIONAL CLAUSE WAS IN THEIR BEST INTERESTS 
AND REMONSTRATING THEM FOR FIGHTING SO ACTIVELY 
AGAINST IT.  END COMMENT.)  THE CONSTITUTION WAS 
REJECTED BECAUSE THE FARMERS ORGANIZED THEIR 
LABOR TO VOTE NO, IN EFFECT CONSPIRING AGAINST 
THE GOVERNMENT, HE TOLD US, AND BECAUSE THE PARTY 
DID NOT CAMPAIGN ENOUGH FOR IT.  THE WAR VETS 
REACTED TO THE REFERENDUM VOTE BY SPRINGING INTO 
ACTION IN A "SELF-HELP MODE", MUGABE STATED, "AND 
WE WANTED IT TO BE A DEMONSTRATION MARK ON THE 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 03        HARARE  02205  02 OF 04  241249Z 
MINDS OF THE FARMER'S AND THE BRITS." 
 
¶6.  (C) "THE WAR VETS ARE PROTESTORS," HE 
CONTINUED "AND WHILE THE BRITS VIEW IT AS A 
VIOLATION OF THE RULE OF LAW I WILL NEVER SEND IN 
THE ARMY AND POLICE AGAINST OUR OWN PEOPLE."  "IT 
WOULD CAUSE MORE BLOODSHED AND REMEMBER THAT 
THERE ARE STILL PLENTY OF WAR VETERANS IN THE 
ARMY, THOUGH FEWER IN THE POLICE," HE STATED 
WHILE LOOKING AT US OVER HIS EYEGLASSES.  THE 
PRESIDENT ALSO REITERATED THE DILEMMA CONFRONTING 
THE GOZ WERE IT TO TRY TO ENFORCE THE COURT'S 
ORDER TO EVICT THE INVADERS.  HIS ARGUMENTS WERE 
THE SAME AS THOSE LAID OUT BY HIS FOREIGN 
MINISTER TO US EARLIER IN THE DAY (IN ESSENCE THE 
POLICE'S LACK OF CAPACITY TO ACT AND THE 
EXECUTIVE NON-INTERFERENCE RULING, SEE REF A). 
 
WE PUSH BACK 
 
¶7.  (C) WHEN AMBASSADOR MCDONALD RAISED A NUMBER 
OF POINTS REGARDING RECENT DEVELOPMENTS INCLUDING 
THE VIOLENCE OCCURRING ON THE FARMS, DISREGARD OF 
THE RULE OF LAW, THE USG'S COMMITMENT AND 
ASSISTANCE FOR LAND REFORM AND THE NEED FOR A 
PRACTICAL SOLUTION, PRESIDENT MUGABE RESPONDED 
WITH SOME OF HIS TRADEMARK EMOTION AND POINTED 
RHETORIC.  SOME OF THE POINTS AND COUNTERPOINTS 
ARE (U.S. AND ZIMBABWE RESPECTIVELY): 
 
   WE NEED TO RETURN TO THE PRINCIPALS OF THE 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 04        HARARE  02205  02 OF 04  241249Z 
1998 LAND REFORM CONFERENCE.  RESPONSE: THE 
COMMERCIAL FARMERS UNION (CFU) OPPOSED THE 841 
DESIGNATED FARM LIST, AND WITH BRITAIN'S HELP 
STYMIED IMPLEMENTATION. 
 
    THE WORLD BANK AND OTHERS CAN FUND SOME LAND 
ACQUISITION. RESPONSE: WE WILL NOT GO AHEAD ANY 
MORE ON FAITH.  FOR 20 YEARS WE HAVE DONE THIS 
AND THE LAND ISSUE WILL NOT BE SOLVED UNTIL 
BRITAIN GIVES US THE MONEY TO BUY IT.  THE PEOPLE 
WILL SETTLE FOR NOTHING LESS. 
 
   WE NEED A PRACTICAL SOLUTION.  THERE ARE 800 - 
1000 FARMS BEING VOLUNTARILY OFFERED FOR SALE. 
RESPONSE: THE WAR VETS HAVE ALREADY COME UP WITH 
A PRACTICAL SOLUTION.  THEY ARE ON THE FARMS AND 
WE HAVE A LAW THAT WILL ALLOW US TO MOVE AHEAD ON 
ACQUIRING THE FARMS WE NEED. 
 
   WHAT OF THE DAMAGE TO ZIMBABWE'S IMAGE AS A 
WONDERFUL COUNTRY, NOT CHARACTERIZED BY VIOLENCE 
OR STANDOFFS?  THE COUNTRY HAS SUFFERED A BLACK 
EYE.  RESPONSE: ZIMBABWE HAS ONLY BEEN WONDERFUL 
FOR THE WHITE COLONIZERS NOT THE BLACKS.  THAT 
HAS NOT CHANGED FOR 20 YEARS SINCE INDEPENDENCE 
BUT WILL NOW.  MORE HAVE BEEN KILLED IN SOUTH 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
                           CONFIDENTIAL     PTQ6082 
 
PAGE 01        HARARE  02205  03 OF 04  241250Z 
ACTION AF-00 
 
INFO  LOG-00   NP-00    AGRE-00  ACQ-00   CIAE-00  SMEC-00  COME-00 
      DINT-00  DODE-00  DOEE-00  DOTE-00  WHA-00   SRPP-00  DS-00 
      EB-00    EUR-01   FAAE-00  FBIE-00  VC-01    H-01     TEDE-00 
      INR-00   L-00     AC-01    DCP-01   NSAE-00  OMB-01   OPIC-01 
      PA-00    PM-00    PRS-00   ACE-00   P-00     SP-00    TRSE-00 
      USIE-00  PMB-00   DSCC-00  DRL-02   G-00     NFAT-00  SAS-00 
        /009W 
                  ------------------4F3109  241253Z /38 
P 241252Z APR 00 
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5829 
SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY PRIORITY 
NSC WASHDC PRIORITY 
AMEMBASSY LONDON 
AMEMBASSY PARIS 
 
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 03 OF 04 HARARE 002205 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR AF A/S SUSAN RICE, OAS POWELL, AF/S 
NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR GAYLE SMITH 
LONDON FOR PFLAUMER 
PARIS FOR BISA WILLIAMS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/23/10 
TAGS: PGOV PREL EAGR PINR ZI
SUBJECT: THE GUERILLA WAR FOR LAND IN ZIMABABWE 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 02        HARARE  02205  03 OF 04  241250Z 
CONTINUES 
 
AFRICA ON THE LAND ISSUE WITH A LOT LESS 
PUBLICITY.  BRITAIN IS TO BLAME, WE ARE NO LONGER 
THEIR COLONY.  BRITISH MP'S ARE ABSENTEE OWNERS 
OF FARMS, THEY SEEK TO PROTECT TOO.  FINALLY WE 
HAVE THE BRITS ATTENTION. 
 
   WHAT OF THE 841 FARMS THAT YOU HAVE DEMANDED 
FROM THE CFU?  WHAT OF THE PROPERTIES THE 
GOVERNMENT ALREADY OWNS THAT ARE NOT UTILIZED? 
RESPONSE: THEY WILL SAY NO AT FIRST (THE CFU), 
BUT ON THAT THEY MUST AGREE.  WE NEED THOSE 841 
FARMS BECAUSE OF THEIR LOCATION.  THEY ARE NEXT 
TO THE COMMUNAL AREAS, THE ONES WE OWN ARE NOT. 
IN WRITING WE HAVE ASSURED THE CFU THAT THE 
DISPLACED COMMERCIAL FARMERS CAN BUY A 
REPLACEMENT PROPERTY.  WE WILL NOT DEVIATE FROM 
THE PLAN. 
 
    WHAT OF THE MONEY FOR LAND IN THIS YEAR'S 
BUDGET STILL UNSPENT?  RESPONSE: WE WILL NEVER 
USE OUR MONEY FOR LAND - JUST DEVELOPMENT.  THE 
BRITS WILL PAY OR THERE WILL BE NO PAYMENT. 
THOSE TAKING ACTIONS AGAINST US TODAY HAVE NEVER 
SUPPORTED US SINCE 1980, LIKE THE BRITS AND THE 
WHITE FARMERS.  I AM CALLED HITLER IN THE BRITISH 
PRESS.  THEY NEVER CALLED IAN SMITH A HITLER. 
THEY DO THIS BECAUSE THEY WANT TO KEEP US A 
COLONY. 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 03        HARARE  02205  03 OF 04  241250Z 
 - WHAT ABOUT YOU MAKING A STATEMENT IN THE 
SPIRIT OF VICE PRESIDENT MSIKA'S -- TO WITHDRAW? 
RESPONSE: I DID NOT SEE THAT STATEMENT AND HAVE 
ONLY HEARD OF IT.  HE DENIES TO ME THAT HE MADE 
IT. 
 
    WHAT ABOUT THE EFFECTS OF THE INVASION OF THE 
ECONOMY?  THIS IS THE HARVEST SEASON FOR TOBACCO. 
RESPONSE: THE TIME HAS COME AFTER 20 YEARS.  WE 
WILL RESOLVE IT NOW.  IF THE CFU FARMERS WANT TO 
LEAVE THEY SHOULD GO NOW.  THEY ARE EMBITTERED 
OLD RHOADIES WHO HAVE NEVER REPENTED, SADDENED 
THAT THEY HAVE LOST THEIR POWER SINCE 
INDEPENDENCE.  THEY ARE SABOTAGING THE ECONOMY, 
HAVING BEEN RAISED AND LIVED IN THE DAYS OF 
DISHONESTY AS SANCTIONS BUSTERS.  THEY ARE THE 
WEALTHIEST CLASS BUT PAY THE LEAST TAXES. 
 
   BUT WHAT OF THE MORAL ARGUMENTS AGAINST WHAT 
IS OCCURRING?  YOU ARE THE HEAD OF STATE AND THE 
MORAL LEADER OF THE COUNTRY.  IF YOU CAME OUT 
STRONGLY IN FAVOR OF THE RULE OF LAW AND TOLD THE 
WAR VETS TO LEAVE THE FARM, MOST WOULD. 
RESPONSE: THE AMOUNT OF VIOLENCE IS EXAGGERATED 
BY THE BBC AND CNN.  TWO DAYS AGO CNN STAGED AN 
EVICTION OF THE WAR VETS.  BECAUSE WE DO NOT HAVE 
THE MEDIA ON OUR SIDE DOES NOT MEAN THAT WE ARE 
NOT RIGHT OR JUST.  I WILL NOT SEND THE POLICE OR 
ARMY AGAINST PEOPLE WHO ARE FIGHTING FOR JUSTICE. 
 
COMMENT 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 04        HARARE  02205  03 OF 04  241250Z 
 
¶8.  (C) MUGABE DISPLAYED LUCIDITY AND A 
REMARKABLE MEMORY ANO RECALL THROUGHOUT THE 
CONVERSATION.  HIS MOOO ANO EMOTION SWINGS 
MATCHEO THE RHETORIC ANO WHEN WE RETURNEO TO 
CONGO MATTERS AFTER THE LAND ISSUE HE WAS A 
CHANGEO MAN.  AMBASSAOOR MCOONALO IN A TELEPHONE 
CALL BEFORE THE MEETING WITH THE PRESIDENT AND 
DURING THE LONG SESSION THOUGHT THE MOOD WAS 
CORDIAL EVEN WHEN THE ISSUES GOT DIFFICULT.  WE 
ARE THE ONLY WESTERN COUNTRY THAT MUGABE HAS MET 
WITH ON THE TOPIC OF LAND.  WE BELIEVE WE WERE 
HEARD, BUT MUGABE WAS NOT PERSUADED.  THE 
AMBASSADOR PLANS TO CONTINUE HIS CONVERSATION 
WITH THE PRESIDENT ON THE ISSUE. 
 
¶9.  (C) IT IS CLEAR THAT MUGABE IS STILL FIGHTING 
THE GUERILLA STRUGGLE HE WON 20 YEARS AGO.  HE 
HAS DRAWN A LINE IN THE SAND AND SAID, "LAND NOW 
AT ALL COSTS."  THE PRESIDENT REALIZES HE IS IN A 
FIGHT FOR HIS POLITICAL LIFE, A BATTLE HE MUST 
WIN.  UNLEASHING THE WAR VETS IS A DANGEROUS 
TACTIC, REEKING OF DESPERATION.  THEY ARE A PIT 
BULL LOOSE IN THE COUNTRYSIDE AND GETTING THEM 
BACK IN THE CAGE OR ON A STOUT CHAIN WILL REQUIRE 
OFFERINGS AND THE PROMISE OF REGULAR FEEDINGS. 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
                           CONFIDENTIAL     PTQ6086 
 
PAGE 01        HARARE  02205  04 OF 04  241250Z 
ACTION AF-00 
 
INFO  LOG-00   NP-00    AGRE-00  ACQ-00   CIAE-00  SMEC-00  COME-00 
      DINT-00  DODE-00  DOEE-00  DOTE-00  WHA-00   SRPP-00  DS-00 
      EB-00    EUR-01   FAAE-00  FBIE-00  VC-01    H-01     TEDE-00 
      INR-00   L-00     AC-01    DCP-01   NSAE-00  OMB-01   OPIC-01 
      PA-00    PM-00    PRS-00   ACE-00   P-00     SP-00    TRSE-00 
      USIE-00  PMB-00   DSCC-00  DRL-02   G-00     NFAT-00  SAS-00 
        /009W 
                  ------------------4F311C  241253Z /38 
P 241252Z APR 00 
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5830 
SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY PRIORITY 
NSC WASHDC PRIORITY 
AMEMBASSY LONDON 
AMEMBASSY PARIS 
 
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 04 OF 04 HARARE 002205 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR AF A/S SUSAN RICE, OAS POWELL, AF/S 
NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR GAYLE SMITH 
LONDON FOR PFLAUMER 
PARIS FOR BISA WILLIAMS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/23/10 
TAGS: PGOV PREL EAGR PINR ZI
SUBJECT: THE GUERILLA WAR FOR LAND IN ZIMABABWE 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 02        HARARE  02205  04 OF 04  241250Z 
CONTINUES 
 
EVENTS IN THE 24 HOURS SINCE OUR MEETING SHOW 
THAT THE MESSAGE OF NON-VIOLENCE ESPOUSED BY THE 
PRESIDENT IN HIS EARLIER MEETINGS WITH THE 
FARMERS AND THE VETS HAVE NOT SUNK IN FOR THE 
LATTER. 
 
¶10.  (C) MUGABE, BY UNLEASHING THE GUERILLAS, IS 
PLAYING WITH FIRE.  THOUGH SO FAR ONLY THE 
FARMERS HAVE BEEN BURNED, THE CONSEQUENCES FOR 
THE COUNTRY ARE EXTREMELY NEGATIVE AND THE 
LEADERSHIP MAY FIND THAT THE COST TO ITSELF IS 
HIGH.  ALL OF THIS DOES NOT BODE WELL FOR THE 
MEETINGS TO BEGIN IN LONDON ON APRIL 27.  IF THIS 
ATTITUDE AND POSITION CONTINUES, NOTHING WILL BE 
ACCOMPLISHED WITH THE BRITISH.  FOR NOW THE 
COUNTRY IS IN LULL, AND SEMI-ATTENTIVE DURING THE 
LONG EASTER HOLIDAY CHARACTERIZED BY CELL PHONES 
TURNED OFF AND RETREATS INTO THE COUNTRYSIDE. 
THOUGH PRIVATELY MUGABE MAY OFFER A MORE TEMPERED 
MESSAGE, THE REALITY ON THE GROUND WITNESSED SO 
FAR IN NOT ENCOURAGING.  END COMMENT. 
MCDONALD 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
>