VZCZCXRO5459
RR RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO
DE RUEHWD #0095 0981613
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 071613Z APR 08
FM AMEMBASSY WINDHOEK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9836
RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0116
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0194

C O N F I D E N T I A L WINDHOEK 000095 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/07/2017 
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KDEM ZI WA
SUBJECT: NAMIBIA "CONCERNED" ABOUT ZIMBABWE, NOT READY TO MAKE PUBLIC 
STATEMENT 
 
REF: Windhoek 89 
 
Classified by Ambassador Dennise Mathieu, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
Summary 
------- 
 
¶1.  (C) Foreign Minister Hausiku told the Ambassador on March 7 that 
Namibia was "concerned" by the situation in Zimbabwe, but would not 
issue a public statement in the absence of declared results by the 
Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC).  The Ambassador urged the GRN to 
encourage all parties in Zimbabwe to refrain from violence and ensure 
an electoral process that abided by the rule of law.  Hausiku 
confirmed that Namibia was encouraging a peaceful process and opined 
that SADC should press the ZEC to announce the results of the 
polling.  End summary. 
 
"Concern" and Puzzlement at Delays 
---------------------------------- 
 
¶2.  (C) During an April 7 meeting with Foreign Minister Marco 
Hausiku, the Ambassador urged the GRN to publicly -- or at a minimum 
in private discussions -- call on Zimbabwean officials to release 
electoral results and for all parties to refrain from intimidation 
and violence in this tense electoral process. 
 
¶3.  (C) Hausiku repeated several times that Namibia was "concerned" 
with the situation in Zimbabwe and was actively engaged in internal 
discussions.  He explained that the GRN was happy "with the process 
that led up to the elections and the voting itself," and "satisfied 
that all parties had the ability to go to voters and campaign."  Such 
fairness and access, he continued, "binds the participants to the 
results," which is why Namibia was disappointed by the delay in the 
issuance of the presidential vote tabulation. 
 
¶4.  (C) Namibia felt "handicapped by the silence of the Zimbabwe 
Electoral Commission," said Hausiku.  Although Namibia wished the 
results would have been publicized at this point, Hausiku said his 
government would not make a public statement "in the absence of 
information" from the ZEC.  He opined that SADC should press the ZEC 
to announce results, or explain why it has not issued the results in 
a timely fashion.  Hausiku affirmed that Namibia was in contact with 
SADC leaders and that Namibia was privately urging all parties to 
follow the rule of law and reject violence, including in a potential 
run-off, which should occur within the prescribed 21 days. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶5.  (C) Given Namibia's liberation struggle bonds with President 
Mugabe and Zimbabwe, the GRN is likely to remain publicly very quiet 
on the issue of Zimbabwean elections and potential change.  That 
said, Hausiku's acknowledgement that the GRN was concerned by both 
the delay in the announcement of the results and the potential 
explosive situation appears to be a slight Namibian policy shift away 
from unconditional support for Mugabe.  Separately, the UK High 
Commissioner to Namibia informed us today that UK Minister for Africa 
Mark Malloch Brown is considering calling President Pohamba to urge 
Namibia to engage Zimbabwean leaders.  We will report any further 
developments that may indicate a Namibian policy shift.  End comment. 
 
Meeting Participants 
-------------------- 
 
¶6.  (U) Hausiku included in the meeting all his senior staff members: 
Permanent Secretary Ambassador Veiccoh Ngihwete, Deputy PS Ambassador 
Hinyangerwa Asheeke, Head of Multilateral Affairs Ambassador Martin 
Andjanba, Head of Bilateral Affairs Ambassador Wilbard Helao, Deputy 
Director for Bilateral Affairs Jerobeam Shaanika, and U.S. Desk 
Officer Morina Muujondjo.  Poloff attended as notetaker. 
 
MATHIEU